Three writing competitions for expat writers

I am a big fan of writing competitions, particularly when the winners get published. Earlier this year I was a judge for the Netherlands Young Writer Competition and the winners had their entries published in a super book about friendship. A week or so ago I judged the finalists in the Life in a Flying House competition where winners earn $10,000 from the Expat Youth Scholarship and publication online. I urge you to look at the website and read last year’s entries while you are waiting for this year’s results (out 13 September).

This week, I have two more competitions to tell you about – and this time they are for grown ups!

Entering a competition has many six benefits.

Six reasons to enter a writing competition

1. You have practise writing to a brief
2. you have practise writing to a deadline
3. you have practise writing to a defined word count
4. if you win, you get published!
5. if you win, you have something really special to put on your writing CV
6. if you get short-listed, or if you win, you will build your confidence and that all important self-belief

My client, author of Tork and Grunt, Bob Harvey just told me about WritersAbroad. Goodness knows how I had missed them before, so thanks, Bob. This virtual group for expat writers anywhere is running a competition for writers of short stories as part of National Short Story Week. They will compile an anthology of winning entries.

And my wonderful intern, Renata, told me about a  Road Junkie writing competition, where winners will get to write a travel guide AND get paid for it.

And today, I had to return to this post because Robin Pascoe had posted details on Linked in about another expat writing competition for writers in any genre at ExpatLit.

If you are serious about your writing then take these competitions seriously and get writing!