Whether it is for validation or perhaps a marketing boost, writers and publishers enter contests. How many times have we heard this person or that person is an award-winning author? Lots of times. There are poetry contests, short story contests, manuscript contests, memoir contests, and published novel contests in every imaginable genre, and probably others that I didn’t mention.

It surprised me to learn earlier this year that many contests judge a published work by the first chapter, last chapter, and a random chapter from the middle. In shock, I did a couple of Google searches on the matter. I was even more shocked to see that it is a fairly common practice among smaller contests. This revelation may not concern others, but it certainly did strike me as akin to judging a book by its cover. I am going to be much more cautious about the credence I give to seeing “Award-Winning Author.”

There are publishers who hold manuscript contests where the prize, in part, is a publishing contract. The difference is paying to enter a contest with the hope of receiving a publishing contract vs. simply submitting a query to a publishing company, or a literary agent, for free.

If a writer decides to go another way to publication, they can find a hybrid publisher who is paid to do the technical aspects of publishing which might include editing, formatting, and cover design. Or they can self-publish their work. On self-publishing, I caution to contract for professional editing, if nothing else.

I support other writers and small publishers by buying their books. When I look at the book’s sample on Amazon, I can easily see whether the writer hired professionals to help them polish their work, so they can offer a professional-grade novel to the public.

It’s important to realize that readers deserve a well done novel. Don’t skimp. Remember that you are the person you are when you think no one is looking.