February 8, 2009
Well, I’ve entered a novel in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. The entry period closes tonight at midnight, but I got mine sent last night/early this morning. It’s one of my crazy ones, an “out there” comedy called DICK. I’m guessing it’s too outrageous for the contest; I feel like I kind of threw away my chance for a prize this year. But at the same time, I feel okay about it. DICK is a funny book; I truly think it could catch on if it got a little exposure. Maybe the Amazon judges will read it and crack up and give it a chance. After all, this is the era of Family Guy and South Park on TV and movies by directors like Judd Apatow and the Farrelly Brothers. Over-the-top, risque entertainment has proven its value and acceptability in the mass market. Sometimes, you just have to take a shot with something you believe in. This is one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned in my life: you have to play to win. If you try, there’s a chance you’ll fail; if you don’t try, there’s zero chance you’ll succeed.
So let’s see how this plays out. Amazon attracts thousands of entries for this contest, so the odds are already pretty steep…but not as steep as if I hadn’t sent an entry at all. Maybe DICK will find the right open-minded judges. If it doesn’t, that’s okay, too. There’s no entry fee for this contest, so the only thing I’ll have lost is the hour or so it took to prepare and submit my manuscript and materials. I definitely feel better, no matter what happens, for having tried. Last year, I entered a number of contests and competitions…good ones with no entry fees, offering excellent prizes. I didn’t win any of them, but I’m still proud I made the effort. I’m glad I put myself out there.
So let’s hear it for DICK! Wish it well in the big contest! See you tomorrow!
