Conflicted About Contests by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Sarah Loudin Thomas

Have you entered writing contests—as a published or unpublished author? If not, have you considered it? Author Sarah Loudin Thomas shares her personal experiences and some insight. ~ Dawn

Conflicted About Contests

Carol, Rita, Christy, Inspy, Selah, Genesis, First Impressions, Badge of Honor . . . and those are just the ones I’m most familiar with.

Some contests are for pre-published authors, some for published, some for traditionally published, some for independent, and some mix it up. And only ONE story wins in each category. Which can leave those who DON’T win feeling . . . less than.

I coordinate a contest for pre-published authors at the Asheville Christian Writers Conference and here’s what I know about contests . . . are you ready for this? They are TOTALLY subjective. Scores can vary widely, which is why at least three judges per entry is ideal.

I entered a contest before being published. One judge gave the entry a near-perfect score while another, well, clearly thought it could have been better. MUCH better.

This past year I saw a dream come true—one of my stories was nominated for a Christy Award. I was over the moon! I adore the novel, Christy, especially since it’s set in my beloved Appalachian Mountains. Catherine Marshall even lived in my home state of West Virginia for a while. It’s the award I dreamed of when I signed the contract for that first novel.

I didn’t win, but as I watched each awardee mount the steps to the podium I turned my attention to the rest of the room. Way more authors remained in their seats than stepped on that stage. Not to mention the exceptional authors who weren’t even in the room. Goodness, I had some favorites last year that weren’t even on the list of nominations!

Which begs the question—why bother with contests?

For pre-published authors, I think it’s incredibly valuable when you get feedback and/or opportunities. Judges’ scores can point you toward weaknesses and strengths in your writing. Being a finalist or winning can sometimes get you in front of editors and/or agents. So if you’re starting out, jump into the fray! I entered multiple contests that provided invaluable input for improving my writing.

But what about the contests for published authors? What good is winning one of those?

• For better sales? After signing my first contract I asked my editor if winning awards helped with sales. Not really. Okay, that’s probably not why.
• For the prestige? Maybe a little bit. I mean, it IS fun to sit upfront at the ceremony and have folks congratulate you. Plus, you usually get something pretty to put on your shelf.
• For the affirmation? Hmmm. This may be getting closer. Did I mention writing is subjective? Having a panel of judges say, “This is good,” is something of a relief. Writers are notorious for self-doubt.
• For the credentials? Well, it’s certainly nice! If you read my bio you’ll see I mention some of the awards I’ve received or been nominated for. It’s a way of saying that someone thought my story was better than average!
• To support organizations for writers? I love this one. Quite a few contests use entry fees for things like scholarships or to support an organization that provides services for writers. Even if you don’t final or win, you can feel good about supporting other writers.

I go back and forth on contests. I think they’re a wonderful tool for writers yet to be published, but I’m conflicted about entering now that I have some books under my belt. I guess the trick is to get real with myself about why I’m entering (or if I was nominated, why I hope to win).

So how about you? Do you think contests are valuable?

Why bother with writing contests? #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @SarahAnneThomas

Author Sarah Loudin Thomas shares reasons why writing contests may be valuable—and why they might not be helpful. #seriouslywrite #encouragementforwriters via @SarahAnneThomas

When Silence Sings

When Silence Sings

For years, Serepta McClean has towered over the coal-filled hills of West Virginia, taking more than her share of legal and illegal trade alike. She’s intent on securing the future of the McClean name, despite two unreliable sons and a long-standing feud with the Harpe clan that’s exploded once again into violence.

While many fear her, and many more despise her, few dare to stand against her. Especially not someone like Colman Harpe–a railroad man with dreams of being a preacher. And yet it’s a reluctant Colman, Serepta’s sworn enemy, who finds himself in this powerful woman’s territory, supposedly sent there by God himself to share stories of love and hope.

With the feud growing ever more dangerous, putting the entire region at risk, these two impossibly different people find themselves on a collision course. And the very lives of everyone close to them will be changed forever.


Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Sarah is a fund-raiser for a children’s ministry who has time to write because she doesn’t have children of her own. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Coastal Carolina University and is the author of the acclaimed novels The Sound of Rain and Miracle in a Dry Season–winner of the 2015 Inspy Award. Sarah has also been a finalist for the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award and the Christian Book of the Year Award. She and her husband live near Asheville, NC.

Connect and learn more by visiting the following sites:

www.SarahLoudinThomas.com
www.Instagram.com/SarahLoudinThomas
www.Facebook.com/SarahLoudinThomas

Why Each Book Is Harder by Sarah Loudin Thomas

My first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, hit bookshelves in 2014. My fourth novel, The Sound of Rain, hit bookshelves last week. Which means I’m practically a veteran author, right? Ha!

Having several novels in print is a dream come true. Of course, turns out there’s more to it than simply lining books up on the shelf.

People have read and reviewed my books, which is alternately gratifying and horrifying—one-star reviews anyone? While it's SO wonderful to see readers comment on the very themes I hoped were somewhere in those pages between the pretty covers, there are also readers who just don’t LIKE my stories.

Each time I write a novel, there comes a point when I've written, edited, re-edited, and combed through the words to the point that I'm not sure what's in there anymore. And it makes me wonder if I dare turn loose of the story for fear the plot has gotten away from me.

Which is why it can be so hard to relinquish each successive story. I keep wondering if the story communicates what I hope it does. Did I get the message in there? Will readers love the new characters as much as the old ones? Having gotten some feedback on earlier books, I now have an idea about what's appealing to readers. Did I still capture that in the current story?

I didn’t expect these doubts. Which is why I like to get a start on the next story before the current story releases. I want to write the story God places on my heart rather than being influenced by what I think readers want.

And there's the hard part. It's not about me. Each time I let go of a book, I do so knowing I've grown the best book I can from the seed God planted in my heart. I've nurtured and watered and pruned (oh, how I've pruned!). And those glorious lines that might capture people's hearts? If there are any, they're the ones God whispered in my ear. Trying to come up with anything else on my own would be foolish.

So as each deadline approaches, I pry my fingers off the digital pages and hit send. I'd say I give my stories to God except that they’ve always been His. He's just been letting me hold them for a while. And that is more than enough for me.

How do you handle your fears over writing the next book?

~~~~~~

Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Sarah and her husband Jim now live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Her fiction has won the Inspy Award, the Selah Award, and has been nominated for the Christian Book Award and the Carol Award.

Why Book #2 Is Harder by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Sarah Loudin Thomas

After pouring ourselves into writing our first book and striving to make it as close to perfection as we can, starting the process all over can feel overwhelming and even a bit frightening. Sarah Loudin Thomas shares her experience and offers encouragement. ~ Dawn

Why Book #2 Is Harder

 Miracle in a Dry Season has been out for two months now. Which means I’m practically a veteran author, right? Ha!

Having a novel in print is both wonderful and terrifying. People have been reading and reviewing the book, which has been exciting. It's SO satisfying to see readers comment on the very themes I hoped were somewhere in those pages between the pretty covers. Because in storytelling, there comes a point when I've written, edited, re-edited, and combed through the words to the point that I'm not sure what's in there anymore.

Which is why it was so hard to let go of the sequel—Until the Harvest. I'd written it, completed the major edits, and right after the release of book #1, it was time to send it back to my editor for another thorough going over. And I didn't want to let go.

I kept wondering if the story communicates what I hope it does. Did I get the message in there? Will readers love the new characters as much as the old ones? Am I letting them down in some way by moving on? Having gotten some feedback on book #1, I now have an idea about what's appealing to readers. Do I still have that in book #2?

I had not anticipated these doubts. It made me really, really glad I'd already written Until the Harvest. If I were just jumping in, I'd be much too heavily influenced by what I think readers want instead of what God has called me to write.

And there's the hard part. It's not about me. I've grown the best book I can from the seed God planted in my heart. I've nurtured and watered and pruned (oh, how I've pruned!). And those glorious lines that might capture people's hearts? If there are any, they're the ones God whispered in my ear. At this point, trying to come up with anything else on my own would be foolish.

So I pried my fingers off the digital pages of Until the Harvest and hit send. I'd say I gave it to God except that it's always been His. He's just been letting me hold it for a while. And that is more than enough for me.

Tweetables:

I've grown the best book I can from the seed God planted in my heart. Click to tweet.

Those glorious lines that might capture people's hearts? If there are any, they're the ones God whispered in my ear. Click to tweet.

I'd say I gave it to God except that it's always been His. He's just been letting me hold it for a while. And that is more than enough for me. Click to tweet.

On October 4, the e-book of Miracle in a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas will go on sale for $1.99. Readers can find at any major retailer. Click to tweet.

Miracle in a Dry Season

Miracle in a Dry Season

It’s 1954 and Perla Long’s arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.

Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor…until he meets Perla. She’s everything he’s sought in a woman, but he can’t get past the sense that she’s hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla’s unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.

“Once in a while a new author comes along with a work that makes you sit up and take notice. Thomas has crafted a tale of this proportion.” – Library Journal starred review

On October 4, the e-book of Miracle in a Dry Season will go on sale for $1.99. Readers can find a link to it here: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse/ebook-specials-from-bethany-house  or at any major retailer.

Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Sarah currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC. She and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.

To learn more and connect with Sarah, please visit:

www.SarahLoudinThomas.com

www.facebook.com/SarahLoudinThomas

@SarahAnneThomas