What can you get out of this aside from money? Beyond just the money that came with the prize, I entered the contest well aware that if the story got published it meant my writing would receive exposure. If you’re serious about what you do— be it writing, photography, film, art, cooking— be selective about what competitions you enter. Look for the ones that would most likely help you achieve your long-term goals. The cash is just the icing on the cake. These contests aren’t what you should build your career on, but they can act as the spark to get you on your way.

Enjoy it. If you don’t believe in what you do, if you don’t like doing it, if this is more work than it’s worth, then why do it?

Recommended Contests:

• Writing: The Writer’s Digest (http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions) always has different competitions going on. Also look into your local papers or well-known literary journals like Alimentum (a food fiction mag currently having a poetry contest) or even lifestyle publications like Good Housekeeping (short story contest).

• Photography: Listed on PhotoCompete.com (http://www.photocompete.com/) and PhotographyCompetitions.net (http://www.photographycompetitions.net/) are many different amateur photography competitions which can win you money or a new camera. Also look into magazines well known for their photograph like National Geographic (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/photo-contest/photo-contest) or Photography Monthly (http://www.photographymonthly.com/Competitions/Latest-Competitions/WWT-Nikon-Photography-Competition-2009)

• Recipes: If you’re a wizard in the kitchen, sending in your creations is a great way to stock up on new kitchen supplies or cash to buy more things to cook. Contest Cook (http://www.contestcook.com/index.html) lists many great recipe and cooking contest nation-wide. Magazines like Taste of Home (http://www.tasteofhome.com/Contests) or Better Homes and Gardens (http://www.bhg.com/recipes/win-money/) also host recipe contests for money, and check in with Food Network (http://www.foodnetwork.com/home/contests-and-offers/index.html )for their updates on contests and sweepstakes.

• Songwriting: For songwriters and musicians, the competition is steep but the recognition is much broader depending on the contest you pick. The Association of Songwriters, C, and Authors has a resource listing of different competitions and contests (http://www.ascap.com/resource/resource-10.html). Some of the top ones include: The John Lennon Songwriting Contest (http://www.jlsc.com/), The Great American Song (http://www.greatamericansong.com/), and We Are Listening (http://www.wearelistening.org/index.php ) where top notch judges get to hear your music and prizes usually include both cash and the opportunity to record and network.

Good luck – remember your passion just might pay off – literally!

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