Today I’ve got Paula Sheridan of the Page Turner Awards joining me at the Round Table to discuss contests. We talk the reasons for entering contests, what judges look for, and getting your manuscript in shape before placing it in judge’s hands.
I’m especially excited about today’s show, because Paula founded the Page Turner Awards. She and her husband, Ken, are doing something unique—at least I’ve never of heard of it being done before.
They are bridging the traditional and indie worlds, holding an annual contest for writers of all stripes and any genre in one place. Not only that, a trophy is nice and a gold seal on your cover does boost sales, but how about winning a mentorship with a developmental editor? How about winning your book being adapted to audio or a screenplay?
Scroll down for Paula’s gifts to Story Works Round Table listeners and links to all the great craft episodes you’ll want to get your work in shape for the judges!
VIDEO
AUDIO
SHOW NOTES
What we talked about:
Where did the idea of an award come from? And what are the awards? (5:10)
How does it work bridging the gap between traditional and indie publishing? (10:13)
Work to improve your writing! (11:28)
How did Paula end up with both traditional and indie published? (17:37)
Where is the bar set for the Page Turner Awards? (22:18)
How does the script prize work out for authors? (34:15)
How to craft a compelling first ten pages. (37:10)
Are there genre specific categories? (42:35)
Why should writers enter competitions? (45:00)
How do we know we’re ready to take the step into contests? (51:00)
Paula Sheridan is an award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning author of The People’s Book Prize for her debut novel, The Grotto’s Secret, written under her pen name, Paula Wynne. Harbouring a near-obsessive love of learning the craft of writing, Paula has been scribbling down the stuff in her head ever since she can remember.
Paula came up with the idea for Page Turner Awards when she won The People’s Book Prize in 2017 and received her award from Sir Frederick Forsyth at a glittering awards ceremony in London.
When she’s not day-dreaming up plots for new historical thrillers while walking her Springer Spaniel in the Andalusian countryside, she’s helping Indie Authors to achieve their dream of seeing the novels in a reader’s hands, through her reading community on Book Luver. Paula also blogs about writing techniques and reviews writing books on Writing Goals.
Discount code to enter Page Turner Awards (expires end of April): 23GPod20
LINKS
Want more about these topics? Check out:
SWRT 29: Hooks – Premise & Openings
SWRT 11: Openings – Reading/Reacting
SWRT 182 Opening Scenes Shape Reader Experience
SWRT 256 Act 1
SWRT 114 Writing Great Sentences
SWRT 219 Nitty Gritty: Grammar & More
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.
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Do you learn something every week?
Do you feel like you have company on your writing journey?
About Your Hosts
Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.
Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com