Writing Contest winners?

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   abcd1111posted 13 years ago

   With all the writers to survey here, I wondered if ANY have ever won a writing contest?
   
   More specifically, I was wondering if anyone has ever won a cash prize for a contest you paid to enter? An example would be for one of Writers's Digest contests or something similar?
   
   I have only submitted to a couple of contests and hesitantly because I wonder if there is a connection to any of the winners and the judges. I hate paying to enter, but understand the need for the prize money.
   
   I would love to know of a legitimate winner.

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      A.I.D.Yposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      yes.

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   jellydonut25posted 13 years ago

   Once upon a time I won a bike from a free contest...
   
   that was like 10 years ago though...

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      abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That's a very decent prize from a free contest!  Congrats for that.
      
      Have you entered any contests since then?

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   Crazdwriterposted 13 years ago

   nope have yet to win a writing contest

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      abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry to hear that Crazd. Do you wonder if they're legit as well?

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         Crazdwriterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yea I do. I am thinking of maybe entering one for writer's digest since I know they are legit...maybe sometime this year if I get teh chance to write another short story or something

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            abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I hope you do!

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   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   Never entered a contest with regards to writing. Was never felt the need to be entered.

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   Maddie Ruudposted 13 years ago

   I won a few writing contests as a child.  Prizes were books and electronics and things.

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   Sue Adamsposted 13 years ago

   I have never joined a writing contest.
   Why not start one here on  HubPages? But who would make the rules?

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      abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      And who would be the impartial judges?
      
      I have no idea how it could be done. Any takers?

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   IvyCrenshawposted 13 years ago

   I won several as a child, and one on Helium.

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   RedElfposted 13 years ago

   Congratulations, Ivy!

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   manlypoetrymanposted 13 years ago

   I won third in some poetry contest from a link to a link of a Writer's Web Site off of Craigs List...never did get the 20 or 25 dollar check I was suppose to have won... Which reminds me...what was their name again...? (I want my 20 dollars !!)

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    Pani Midnyte Odinposted 13 years ago

    I won a coloring contest once when I was about 8 years old. I won a new box of crayons.
    
    I also won a poetry contest in 9th grade, but all I "won" was the chance to buy a copy of the book it was published in.

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       There are a good many "contests" where your prize is being able to buy the book publishing your work. More of a scam. (Not to take away from your win, but that's a trick to make money.)

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          Pani Midnyte Odinposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          That would be why I put the word won in quotes...

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             abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

             I apologize Pani Midnyte Odin for restating the obvious. I just hate "contests" like that.  I didn't mean to insult you.
             
             Thanks so much for responding to my original query.

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    Meghan Fitzposted 13 years ago

    Once, I won a writing contest about Hilary Swank. A local blog ask for haiku submissions about Hilary's beauty. I won free tickets to see a lecture with Hilary Swank!
    
    Here is my winning submission
    
    H. Swank in my dreams
    Considering a big switch
    To the other team

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I've actually been published in a couple haiku journals/articles. Your "Swanku" is delightful!

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    blondepoetposted 13 years ago

    Yes I came second in a Mills and Boons writing comp, that ran across NZ and Australia through New Idea. Woo hoo!!!

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       That sounds huge. Congrats Blondepoet!

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    livewithrichardposted 13 years ago

    I won one in the 4th grade and after being a smart ass to my teacher. She gave us a writing assignment which I didn't want to do and when she came to me, seen that I wasn't writing and asked why. I replied "I don't know, what do think I have, a magic pencil that can just make up a story as I go?" I expected a trip to the principal's office for that remark, either way I was getting out of the assignment.  She replied, something like "Wow, that's an amazing story I can't wait to read it when you finish." The bulb turned on right then and I finished my "Magic Pencil" story which she entered into a community writing contest and I won 4 tickets to Six Flags Great America.

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Now THAT's a great story!

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    frogdroppingposted 13 years ago

    Never entered one. My daughter's won a short story contest, which was published and has two poems nestled between the front and back cover of a book.
    
    Maybe she's destined to become a writer. Unlike me

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats to your daughter, frogdropping. I'm sure she gets her talent from somewhere...

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    Ohmaposted 13 years ago

    Me never. My grandson won a diamond chip necklace in the second grade for writing a mother's day story. His mom abandoned him years ago so he wrote the story about me. The company running the contest was a large jewlery company here and the appreciated his honesty on the subject.

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Sweet. I hope you still have the necklace. That's the best win I've heard about yet.

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          Ohmaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I sure do! It means very much to me.

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    KCC Big Countryposted 13 years ago

    I have entered two writing contests in the last two years and I was one of 25 runners-up behind the top 3 cash prize winners in the first one I entered.  All 25 of us rec'd a book bag, 2 books, lip gloss, a scented candle, and a nice personalized note.  The top 3 had their stories published online.  The runners up only got the title of their story and their name published on the website.

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Well that's better than most entrants get I'm sure. Were you able to read the winning entries?

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          KCC Big Countryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Yes, they were all posted online.

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    Sara Tonynposted 13 years ago

    I won a pony.
    
    Nope. Wait. That was for playing baseball and it wasn't a pony it was a free pizza at Chuck E. Cheese.

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I'm going to bet you deserved a pony, but preferred the pizza anyway!

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          Sara Tonynposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          
          
          True dat.
          
          This is why you're my best imaginary friend. You know me so well.

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    diamondzulusaposted 13 years ago

    yes i won one time

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Would you be willing to elaborate?  I am interested in someone who has had a positive experience and might be able to dispel some of my cynicism.

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    mtsi1098posted 13 years ago

    In the 6th grade I won an essay contest on the town I grew up in...So I decided to go into computers

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       abcd1111posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Good choice! 

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