A small Canadian publisher runs writing contests for students each fall, and for adult poets and fiction writers each spring. Entry is free; winners are published.
Polar Expressions Publishing is "a small Canadian publisher dedicated to the task of creating books showcasing the very best poems and short stories written by Canadians of varying backgrounds, ages, and occupations," says their web site.
To this end, says editor Rachelle McCallum, Polar Expressions runs annual writing contests and publishes anthologies of the winning entries. The company began in 2006 and ran their first student contest that fall. They added adult contests in 2008.
Why Enter a Writing Contest?
There are many reasons why a writer might want to enter a contest:
It's a chance to practice writing to specific guidelines.
It's another market, another chance for publication.
There may be fewer submissions to a contest than to a regular publication, increasing the likelihood of being published.
It's a chance for an evaluation against a standard.
A contest is a good way to compare the work of many writers both better and worse.
Legitimate Writing Competition
The Polar Expressions contests have the following as marks of legitimacy
Free Entry - many companies charge a reading fee
Biannual contests - where scammers hold monthly or quarterly contests, Polar Expressions runs their adult contest each spring and a youth contest each fall.
Restricted winners - unlike the vanity "everybody's a winner if you buy a book" anthologies, Polar Express apparently rejects between 55% and 70% of entries (selecting the top 200 of all submissions) according to information on their web site.
Cash prizes to top winners - In the youth contests, prizes go to both writers and sponsoring schools. In the adult categories, prizes of $500/$300/$100 are awarded, with free books for honorable mentions.
They do not use terms such as "Institute" or "Library" and are clearly a private enterprise.
The company does sell the anthologies containing the 200 selected stories. However, the company claims that there is no obligation to buy.
Polar Expressions Writing Contest Rules
Contests aimed at adults and mature teenagers open in April with a deadline in mid-July. The contests for students open in September with deadlines in mid-November.
Entry must be
from a Canadian Citizen (for youth, a student enrolled in a Canadian school)
an original unpublished composition
A writer may enter both contests, but only one entry is accepted for each (no multiple submissions).
Poems must be 48 lines or less for adults, 40 lines for youth.
Short stories must be 750 words or less for adults or 500 words for youth.
Author must agree to publication if selected
Judging the Writing Contests
In an interview with Suite101, editor Rachelle McCallum explained that each contest is judged by a panel of two or three judges. All judges “have a minimum bachelor degree in English literature and are published writers or poets”. All judging is blind, and is based on the following criteria (not listed in order of importance)
Originality
Consistency of voice
Use of precise and economical language
Response evoked in the reader
Avoidance of cliches and/or forced rhyme
Choice of form that complements content/theme
McCallum, who has seven years of editorial experience, explains that "Polar Expressions is funded solely through the sale of our books. We have a group of people who believe in what we are doing... We are proud of what we have accomplished to date." The company's future plans, McCallum said, include a magazine and nonfiction titles.
The copyright of the article Polar Expressions Short Story and Poetry Contest in Writer's Markets is owned by Thomas Alan Gray. Permission to republish Polar Expressions Short Story and Poetry Contest in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
SCAM ALERT! A couple of years ago, I submitted both a poem and story to
Polar Expressions – both of which were promptly declared semi-finalists and
accepted for publication in two of their anthologies. Despite the assurance
that there was “no obligation to buy”, and that I would recieve a
compliimentary copy of each regardless, my failure to order either of the
overpriced anthologies resulted in neither of my pieces being included, and
no free copies being sent. Furthmore, when I requested a listing of the
authors and stories included in the anthologies – that information is
curiously absent from the website – I was told that “we never give out that
information, and consider it’s being asked for very suspicious” (???), a
comment I’ve yet to make the slightest sense of.
Please, don’t
help promote this increasingly notorious scam!
Sep 22, 2009 9:56 AM
Michael Donnelly :
Hello, I would like to post a reply to the last comment(whoever they
are?). I believe you need to recheck your facts/statement.
1)
You only receive a "complimentary" copy IF you are one of the
winners, meaning top three prizes and ten honorable mentions.
2) You state that "a couple of years ago" you entered. Well,
that's curious, since 2008 was the first contest for adults, and the second
contest(2009) hasn't completed yet!
I myself entered and was
published in the 2008 short story contest and resulting anthology
"Frontiers". I was not one of the prize winners(top three or ten
honorable mentions), so of course I did not receive a complimentary copy. I
was well aware of this possibility, before entering. This fact is stated on
their website, in plain English, for all to see! (under "Contest
Info")
http://www.polarexpressions.ca/
This
year, however, I entered the adult poetry contest and did not make the top
third! So, this proves to me that, they do not publish every entry that
they receive and that it is not a "scam"! Polar Expressions
Publishing has, in my opinion, shown that they are legitimate and there is
no misrepresentation on their website and/or handling of their
contest(s)
My comment, is based on first hand experience with,
and research of, Polar Expressions Publishing contest(s)
Sep 22, 2009 10:32 AM
Michael Donnelly :
An after thought and additional comment:
You state:
"Furthmore, when I requested a listing of the authors and stories
included in the anthologies – that information is curiously absent from the
website – I was told that “we never give out that information, and consider
it’s being asked for very suspicious” (???), a comment I’ve yet to make the
slightest sense of."
First, the top three prize winners
and ten honorable mentions, are listed on their website, in a pdf file that
you click on.(under "winners")
For the remaining authors/stories, you will have to purchase the
anthology, like everyone else!
Second, you are asking for
confidential information that you have no rights to, or should be privy to!
It would be the same as asking a doctor, for a list of all his or her
patients information.
I fail to see why you can't make sense of
that?
Sep 22, 2009 10:34 AM
Guest :
The previous poster has mixed us up with another company. She e-mailed us
that she entered our contests in 2004 or 2005, however, we were not even
formed until fall 2006 and did not publish any adult work until 2008. We
had never received anything from her and had no record of ever dealing with
her. She initially asked for a listing of all entrants, not only those
published. We suspected she worked for a competitor or marketing firm
trying to get a list of our entrants for marketing purposes, which is what
the comment referred to. We do not give out personal information about
entrants, and I'm certain most would understand and would not want it known
publicly they were rejected. She replied that yes, she had indeed mixed us
up with another company as she had not kept a record. We hope she can solve
the mystery of which company she dealt with, however, we know it was not
us; we do not do the things she has mentioned. Polar Expressions
Publishing
Oct 6, 2009 2:59 PM
Thomas Alan Gray :
A forum comment somewhere (can't find it now) mentioned that the Polar
Expressions free fiction contest had been "yanked by Duotrope",
or words to that effect.
What the Duotrope site says
is,"The editor of this market has requested not to participate in
Duotrope's Digest."
Sep 10, 2009
