czing wrote:I mean the prize money would be great but this really sounds like much more than just a "cherry on top".
By the way Wulf Moon - I really enjoyed your story in V 35.
The prize money and publication money are nice. They teach you that writing a professional story can earn you good money--not hobby money, but substantial funds that could actually pay your rent or mortgage and more. After years of having people, and in my case my own dad, telling me I will never make any money at this fictional writing thing, "not real money, you haven't made any real money, have you?", it's rather nice to tell myself, "Yes, I have."
But the real prize, as you've noted, isn't the money. That's just one facet of the prize. A shiny facet, but one of many facets that make up this refined diamond. The workshop is another shiny facet, one of many that make up this refined diamond. The opulent banquet hall and prestigious guests applauding you make up another facet, because they help you realize what you accomplished must be monumental, and that you'd better do something with this gift you've been honing over the years that got you here. So many facets, that all make up the whole.
John Goodwin, president of Author Services, said they spend over $30,000 on each winner. I found that figure hard to believe...until I went there and observed first hand all that they do. There is nothing else like this. No one will spend that much money on you again to help you believe in yourself so that you can reach for the stars--not in this industry. There is a reason so many bestselling authors support this contest, and got their start in this contest. All of these facets of the workshop and gala are designed to give you every tool you need to succeed, both internal, and external. No cherry on top. Just a myriad of sparkling facets to make your work and career shine bright. The brighter your work and branding shine, the more people will pick up your work and read it. And that's why writers write. To share their visions with others. (Thank you for the complement on my story, Czing. The only way you even knew I'm a writer and came to sample one of my works was likely because I won this contest. And yet I've been writing for many years and have pro sales. See how this contest works?)
This contest provides one of the very best ways you can accomplish that goal--not just to write, but to be read. And if you let it, it will set you on a path of success to continue to accomplish that. Even if you don't win, just trying to win this contest can set you on that path. Being another Kevin J. Anderson or Brandon Sanderson would not be such a bad thing at all.
Back to writing, all of you! You've got a date with destiny. You've got stories to write. You've got a contest to win!
All the beast!
Wulf Moon