Curiouser and Curiouser Contest Results
Tonight I came home and received my entry back from Prestigious Contest (names have been changed to protect the innocent). I didn’t final, which is fine–I enjoy reading the feedback. Prestigious Contest is a particularly nice one where the finalists presumably are read by Top Editors, sell their manuscripts, and go on to fortune and fame. Or so many tend to think.
I read my first page of feedback(3 total–wowzers!) and was pleasantly surprised that Multipublished Author said I had great style, good humor, and that I needed to explain more in the beginning. She had a few “Huh?” moments that she thought could easily be resolved with a little more attention to certain questions. Great. I love constructive feedback that tells me specifically what needs fixing. 
Best of all, she said that she could imagine this selling with some cleaning up.
Then I looked at feedback from Author #2. She started out telling me that clearly I was a beginning author. 
After I picked up my shredded ego off the floor, she went on to tell me that she felt my entry needed better plot, better characters, and it would have been much stronger without the prologue.
Ah, the kicker. Because, you see, I didn’t write a prologue. 
I checked it again. Yes, my title was clearly typed at the top of the page. But I have to wonder–is that truly my score sheet? Or did she send the same one with every entry she judged?
I didn’t write a prologue! There is no prologue! There never was a prologue! To quote Charlie Brown, “AAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!”
Was I ROBBED of finalist status because of a form contest feedback letter? (Cue the melodramatic music and swooning.)
I guess I shall never know.
Michelle posted in Writing @ 4:33 pm | Viewed 879 times
Leslie Says:
All I can say is “ARRGGGHHHH!”
and I think you should contact the contest coordinator about it. There’s no excuse for that. That kind of thing just burns me up. But CONGRATS on the comment from the judge with a clue. And I’m sure she’s right - your sale is just around the corner! 
~ Leslie
Teresa Says:
YAY on the first judge . . . But, :confused: on the second!!
That is terrible.
Melissa McClone Says:
Hugs, Michelle. Definitely contact the coordinator. That second author shouldn’t be judging. I’m glad you got some good feedback from the first author! Have fun revising!!
Suzanne Says:
Bummer, Michelle! You should contact the contest coordinators, you know.
Gina Black Says:
I vote to contact the coordinator as well. It could be that the judge got the sheets mixed up as she was filling them out. But whatever the reason, that’s just plain wrong, wrong, wrong.
Christine Keach Says:
Definitely contact the coordinator! With a judge like that it’s a wonder anybody enters contests. Ignore her obvious stupidity and concentrate on the one who has your book selling in no time.
Alyssa Says:
What the . . .? I, too, would recommend contacting the coordinator to see about the mixup.
Crystal* Says:
Oh man! Charlie Brown indeed. Double check with the coordinator. Something is definitely amiss.
I like the new look!
Grins*
Michelle Says:
I did e-mail the coordinator, and while I don’t think it will change matters, at least she can check on it in case it happened to other people. Still…:duh:
Danica Says:
Ah, now this is why I’ve vowed not to enter another contest again. (Of course, given time, enough peer pressure, and a bit of false courage, and my hat will be in the ring again). It’s a total crapshoot, so don’t let them get you down. Hugs!
Leanna Ellis Says:
Glad you contacted the coordinator. Maybe they won’t use that judge again. But focus on the first judge and her great comments. Prepare for that first sale.
Peggy Says:
Ah, Michelle, if it weren’t so sad it might be kinda of funny!
Congrats on the first author comments (somone with a bit of intelligence and who actually DID read your submission).
Sharon Says:
Oh that cracks me up. Invariably, if an author feels she needs to make such a condescending (not to mention presumptuous) assertion such as “You’re obviously a beginning writer” there’s an ego there that needs padding.
I won’t bore you with my 1326 reasons I loathe contests, but suffice to say, this is one of them
kacey Says:
I never did like the prologue you didn’t write for that story…:coffee2:
Tori Says:
Hugs on the stupid judge, Michelle! I’m glad the other one had A Clue!
Caro Says:
There were times I got great feedback from contests — but I have to admit it was pretty rare. Most of the time, I either received nothing or comments that deliniated how I wasn’t adhering to THE RULES. Not, “this didn’t work for me,” or similar statements focusing on what they liked or didn’t, but lists of “You MUST.”
I’m glad you contacted the coordinator because she needs to know the situation. Even if the sheet was switched with someone else, the phrase, “You’re obviously a beginning writer,” has a certain reek of contempt that is not helpful.
Definitely focus on the first set of comments; those are definitely keepers.
Steph T. Says:
I just can’t bring myself to enter anymore contests. You’re brave. And any constructive criticism would never have started off with the beginning writer crack. But awesome on the wonderful things the first judge said!
Gina Says:
I’ve heard of stories like this before, but never dealt with it personally. I agree with everyone else. Contact the contest coordinator about the mix-up.