2022 Reader Reflections
Our Reading Panel for the 2022 Prize provided thoughts on what made submissions great and what held submissions back. Read their bullet points below and get ready for the 2023 Prize!
WHAT MAKES A SUBMISSION STAND OUT?
I was pulled in and want to keep reading…
To figure out how something is working
Out of sheer enjoyment because the writing is beautiful
Because the story is engaging from the first or second line
The story posed a question and made me want to know more
The writer’s voice…
A strong/unique voice
An engaging voice
A fascinating narrative voice/a quirky/refreshing narrative style
Sense of authority…
The writer is making deliberate decisions and is exerting control over the writing in conscious ways
Stories feel like a real and full world with descriptive language that helps me visualize that world
Originality
A compelling, well-crafted narrative that departs from the norm
Writing Quality
Sense that the writer knows their story well and can control reactions in the reader
Always drawn to great quality writing!
WHAT DETRACTS FROM A SUBMISSION?
Prologues
That don’t work
That give everything away or stall so much that the reader loses interest/never gets to the actual story
Maybe better to get into the story and skip the prologue
Emotional Emptiness
Writing that was fine, but doesn’t leave the reader feeling anything
Anything that veers towards the precious or overly-navel gazing
A lack of energy, or a certain distance that didn’t serve the narrative
Writing/Craft
A lack of command of language, cliched writing
Not sure where the piece is going
Writing that’s confusing, unoriginal, self-indulgent, poorly drawn characters
Poor attention to detail
Lack of credibility
Problems with plot credibility, irrelevant digressions, weak dialogue
Two disparate sections that do not cohere, or varied widely in quality
Not following the prize guidelines
Typos