Contested
A Look at My Continual Entry into Contests
And here I go again...
June is here, and with it my yearly entry into the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)'s Poetry Contest. They also have ones for Non-Fiction and Short Stories, but I think most wistfully over the one devoted to poetry. First, the deadlines are always the same, this one coming just as summer is about to begin (one of the coldest days in Montréal, but still). Second, I feel like I do my best work at the end of the semester with the pressure of term work and grading taken away and placed on someone else's back.
And why do I do this?
Well, this is my life now.
I have written for Vocal for over three years now, but I did not start here. I was a contributor to print media when it still mattered. I started with college papers and journals, moved on to some of the bigger magazines and newspapers out there, and then moved on to online material. And all the while, I was entering contests that I felt spoke to me; the ones that made me believe that I could win.
Chance is a tricky thing. We all enter Challenges on this page, and I am now a member of other pages offering prizes for writing, including one that specifically film and television work. I have been honest about my feelings about winning here. It would be great to have a prize - two Honorable Mentions are quite nice - but it can also be a burden.
So, what else am I up to?
I am now a contributor for Peliplat. They specialize in writing about media - film and television, mostly. I know that I will probably not be contributing as much to their page because of these restrictions, but they do have the occasional contest, and some of them have intrigued me: a television show that ended too soon; a coming of age movie that really spoke to you; a trilogy that you would like to contribute a story line too, etc. It may seem odd to mention another page here, but I know that there are plenty of my fellow Vocalists moonlighting and dreaming of fame through many screens. Please check it out!
Novelo is also a new one on the block, offering prizes for stories. I am also quite new to it - still have to finish my profile - and I have some concerns over this one. First, it looks like the page was designed very cheaply and quickly in order to get it out there to the public no matter what. Second, there is only one Challenge per month with them. I know that there has been a lot of concern about this issue on Vocal, and it is odd to include a page that is even stingier on the issue. Make of it what you will, and see if you like this limitation.
Now hear me out on this one...
I found this while I was on a social media site, and it seemed very legitimate to me. They are asking for people from all over the world to enter a contest where the theme is 'secrets' (and the word itself cannot be used). Yeah, there's a fee...but I think I might really, really, really have a chance to win this one...
Okay, I'm bad. I'm still hoping that there is some great reward at the end of all this typing and writing and scribbling. And so should you.
Let's hear where you are sending out your dreams.
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Thank you for reading!
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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.
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About the Creator
Kendall Defoe
Teacher, reader, writer, dreamer... I am a college instructor who cannot stop letting his thoughts end up on the page. No AI. No Fake Work. It's all me...
And I did this:
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More stories from Kendall Defoe and writers in Writers and other communities.
Running Man Press
It was a dark and rainy day... Okay, apologies over the whole 'It was a dark and stormy night' cliché, but I discovered over the Victoria Day weekend that one of my stories became front page news in a journal called the Running Man Press. The interesting thing is that I had almost forgotten that I had written and submitted the piece (the editor who said that he would inform me of the date of publication never contacted me about the issue). I have also discovered that it is not available online (the page I found advertised how to submit, the fact that they only print 5000 copies per issues - a smart idea, I think - and that they have many wonderful t-shirts and other doodads available to support their cause).
By Kendall Defoe 8 months ago in Writers
How to Write Werewolves Better
There is a lot of werewolf lore, and a lot of it contradicts itself. Some werewolves change with the moon, while others change whenever they want. Some werewolves require objects like a wolfskin belt to effect the change, while others do fine on their own. There are even debates on their relative intelligence once they’ve changed, and the debates on which specific forms they have can get…interesting. However, with a little forethought, writing werewolves can be a lot simpler.
By Jamais Jochimabout 15 hours ago in Writers
Comments (20)
I am often on the lookout for contests, so thank you for the information! Lots of time on my hands, being out of work until August with pending surgery, sigh... Congratulations on your top story, Kendall- Yup, I'm a Vocal Media moonlighter, too!
And, Congratulations on Top Story!
Oh! Your life in entering contests and now you have become my inspiration. Whenever I see a contest I think: yes … but. I know it’s wrong. And, in other news, you will be happy to know that it looks like print may have a comeback. I am writing about it as we speak (almost). I also started in printing, writing for a newspaper. I moved to digital, I was doing very well, and I started a downfall when you know what released and people went wild. I have now some hope again. Things seem to be turning around. I wish you will win that contests you think you really, really, really can win.
You do excellent scribbling, Kendall. I know that's not reward enough - but sometimes remembering that is what gets us through to the next word, sentence, story, day... Congrats on TS!
Congrats, Mr. Defoe! And thank you for sharing these other platforms. You are a great writer and very consistent. I've learned a thing or two from reading your work. So, thank you again for the Geddy Lee and Frank Zappa articles and many others like the one you wrote about the 3 little pigs going to court, lol. Can't tell you how many times I've buried my head in the dirt wanting and not getting. Rejections are a beast!!! Beating the odds is the challenge with so much competition out there. What you have is determination, which can only lead to success. You are on your way, my friend
I've entered the CBC nonfiction challenge this year but don't love how hard it is to find winners lists/ how long we have to wait. (I'm spoiled by the fact that vocals turn around is so quick) I do love that you spread the wealth though, so I'll have to look into some of these other contests/ at your work in these places. 😅 Congrats on Top Story, Kendall!
Congrats on the Top Story Kendall! So richly deserved!
Kendall, thank you for sharing these! Good luck with the competitions. I'm content at the moment to be a writing hobbyist but the time may come where I want to stretch into other things but not yet. I've done NYC Midnight once but it was a bust. I don't like prescriptive prompts, I've realised so I'm not sure if I'll submit again.
wow
Thoughts about Bluesky? Seems like it has potential, haven't put my mind directly on tapping it for writer creds yet, but there's a video of the grey maincoon from my clever Unkindness story in there. He's happily attacking things.
Always appreciate when the Vocal powers that be lift up a story about the big world of writing off platform. Good on you for seeking out these contests and for sticking with it. Rejection means you put in the work, and that's more than many can say.
Good luck with all your goals. I may try the CBC poetry, if i can find the tike and inspiration. Is it still open?
GOOD LUCK I HOPE YOU WIN! You have some real determination mate! ALSO CONGRATS ON TOP STORY!!!!
It’s always good to have goals Kendall and it sounds like you’re working hard for yours. Well done and good luck. I’d love to see you win.
This was informative and helpful. I made a mental note of the few you’ve mentioned. I’ve been wanting to write for other platforms, but just haven’t gotten around to it. Think I need to get back to being consistent on here first and see where I go afterwards. A shame that Novelo seemed to be a bit rushed, but happy to hear that you’re using all these platforms to challenge yourself. There’s no harm in us trying, we just have to keep writing. Something will fall through one of these days. Well done for all your efforts Kendall. Writing for multiple schools too, that’s awesome! ♥️
I have been checking out some myself. Time is its own master. So much to do, but not giving up...learning from your experiences, good luck. i will look at your picks.
Interesting. If I had more energy, perhaps. Right now it seems like my dreams don't even make it as far as the wastebasket.
I've tried NYC Midnight several times but never made it past round 2. I'm doing a contest now for Florida Weekly Magazine and have for 5 years now. I came in 9th out of 600+ once. My latest story on Vocal about the car is my entry for this round. Unfortunately, I wont be doing much competing for a while because I'm having open heart surgery on the 19th. Catch you on the other side and good luck.
I’m glad you diversified your submissions! That’s smart. I’ll admit, I’ve only tried W.O.W (Women on Writing). I was eliminated in the first round, but I received a nice letter explaining that I missed it by a hair. That felt nice to hear. It’s all subjective. I have to keep reminding myself. I’ll have to check out some of these contests you pointed out. Thanks for that by the way 😊
I love that you come back to the CBC contest every year, that takes determination. It’s clear how much writing means to you, and I totally get the mix of hope and hesitation when it comes to contests and new platforms. That “maybe this one” feeling never really goes away, does it? Wishing you luck!