2011 The Year of the Competition

I have decided that with the start of the new year that it is time I started entering writing and poetry competitions. This is something I have often thought about over the years but due to lack of confidence have never had the balls to try. As my novel progresses I have begun to think to myself - How can I go to a publisher or an agent with a blank CV? The answer to this conundrum is to try and get some competition wins or at least shortlists under my belt, maybe the occasional short story published in an anthology. Not only will it make my CV look as if I can actually do what I am claiming i.e write a decent story, it will also help to raise my profile and get my name known within the industry.

It is with this in mind that I list the competitions that  am am currently entering and please let me know if there are any I haven't listed that you think are worthy of entering.

1) Bridport Prize:                                                                                         http://www.bridportprize.org.uk/

2) Yeovil Literary Prize:                                                                                   http://www.yeovilprize.co.uk/ 
3) Leather, Denim and Silver:                                                                              http://www.pillhillpress.com/monsterhunter.html
4) The Bristol Prize:                                                                                         http://www.bristolprize.co.uk/
5) Agenda Poetry Competition:                                                                    http://www.agendapoetry.co.uk/