What
Contestants have said About the Dixie Kane Memorial Contests
I hope this contest will become an annual one. It’s a great opportunity. Thank you so very much.
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The score sheets were returned in a timely manner and the results were announced promptly. I am very impressed by the follow up survey that was e-mailed to the contestants.
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My judges were fantastic. All of their comments made it easier for me to go back and fix and fine-tune things where needed.
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I suggested the Dixie Kane contest to a friend. The price and the feedback make this a contest to enter.
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I think my story was treated with dignity. Based on most of the judges’ comments, I think they took my submission with the seriousness in which I wrote it.
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I received only positive feedback. Even in instances where I needed improvement, the judges worded their comments in a constructive way.
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One judge did an outstanding job of adding useful editing comments to my entry. I like that s/he showed me how to tighten my language, remove redundancy, and make my writing stronger.
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I’ve had contest feedback with very inconsistent results, but not in the Dixie Kane Contest.
It is always helpful to have comments on the score sheet as well as the manuscript. The comments given were all helpful and I’ve incorporated several of the suggestions in my opening.
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Most of the comments were helpful, and the judges took the time to explain their comments. Some of them went far beyond the call of duty, writing extensive notes on both the manuscript and the synopsis.
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The comments were helpful in pointing out the areas in which I can improve as well as positive aspects of my technique. Since I am a relatively new writer, I don’t have contest experience from which to draw. However, I can say that I have learned from the judges’ comments.
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The score sheet gave judges room to explain the points they assigned to each of the ten questions if they felt additional explanations were necessary.
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The comments I received on my entries were extremely helpful. The judges’ suggestions for improvements were stated in a positive way and included specific ideas that I was able to use in revising my manuscripts. It was terrific to hear not only what could be improved, but what I had done well. As a beginner, I really need this kind of feedback.
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The Dixie Kane Contest was one of the first I entered, so I didn’t know what to expect. I was thrilled by the judges’ reactions. The fact that the judges included suggestions for improvement along with their praise means a lot to me. It indicates that they carefully evaluated the entry and did their best to express their fair judgments.
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The score sheet was very clear. It was great that the judges included specific comments on each of the questions. This was particularly useful to me.
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Each question on the score sheet is clear and the judges explained much of their thinking in relation to each question.
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The score sheet guided the judges to look for the things I question in my own writing.
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This was my first contest entry and I had a lot of trepidation as I’ve heard some horror stories about judges from other contests. I thought the Dixie Kane Judges tried to be helpful and showed me ways to make improvements in my writing.
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I liked the grade method of using four judges. It gave me lots of feedback.
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The judges seemed interested in improving my story. I appreciated their input.
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One judge took the time to suggest books I might consult on plotting—and suggested it so diplomatically that I was quite thrilled to take her advice.
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The judges’ suggestions for improvement were all stated in positive terms that enabled me to use the information without feeling defensive. It is so wonderful that other writers are willing to spend time and thought on a newcomer’s efforts.
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The judges seemed to want to help guide you so you could succeed.
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The judges made helpful comments, tried to help, and offered no derogatory statements.
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The ten questions on the score sheet seemed to relate specifically to the beginning of a story, which is often hard for an author to look at objectively. It is very important to take these elements into account, since both editors and readers frequently base their reactions on the first few pages.
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I will enter The Dixie Kane Contest again because it gave me four fresh reads with excellent comments on which I need to improve, and just as important, what grabbed the judge’s attention. The total cost in time and postage makes entering affordable.
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The draw for me is the constructive criticism. It was wonderful to receive praise, but even more valuable to receive help.
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I will enter the Dixie Kane contest again because it’s an excellent way to test the opening of your manuscript. There’s nothing like a cold read by four people to focus in on what needs to be addressed.
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I will enter the Dixie Kane contest again. I’m getting my next story completed right now. Maybe I’ll even re-enter my first one now that all the problems are fixed.
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I love getting written feedback. I know it takes extra time for the judges to do so, but as writers, it’s an invaluable tool. That is one of the main reasons I enter contests; to get an impartial, trained, perspective. I will add that as a result of this feedback from the Dixie Kane judges, I’ve reworked my manuscript and it is definitely better for it. Thank you.