Ink and Insights has been more fun than downhill drunken unicycling, and more useful than a self-baking cookie. 10 out of 10 Janes would recommend taking part!
--Jane
If writers knew how detailed and useful the feedback from this competition is, everyone would enter and it would be even harder to win!
Flappy hands, go away, nothing to see here . . .
But seriously, I think the amount of detailed, expert feedback is extraordinary and I'm immensely grateful to the judges. Normally if you submit work to a contest you hear nothing, or a minimal response for those on the shortlist. I can sit down with my MS and go through line by line with the incredible feedback you've given me.
--Ellie
This is a MUST for aspiring authors. The feedback you receive is positive and encouraging, even when showing the writer the areas they need to improve upon. I don't know of anywhere else that provides a variety of opinions, regardless of whether they're in sync or the complete opposite, to show the writer what is and isn't working with their writing.
--Danniell
Thinking about entering? My advice is go for it. Even if you don't reach the top ten you're still guaranteed some superb feedback, and with four different judges you get a range of professional opinions. Some might sting but others might make you smile. All will be worth it. For me, I've found the experience of entering has helped me to improve as a writer.
But if you need a new reason...
This is the only entry-fee contest I've entered consistently - because it's the only place writers can receive such valuable feedback for so reasonable a price, as well as be entered into a competition. When I was a young writer, I paid much more for 'professional feedback' from some highly recommended establishments, and found their scant advice sorely lacking by comparison. I felt cheated. Here, I don't.
--Nemma
I first read about this contest last year in the 2016 edition of "Writer's Market" and I am SO GLAD THAT I DID!!! The feedback that we writers receive from the judges is quite possibly the most invaluable tool we could ever be given. Thank you Ink & Insights for creating this opportunity. I will be entering this contest every year religiously for the rest of my life!
--Erin
This contest far surpassed my expectations. The judges clearly took the time to explore both the strengths and weaknesses of my manuscript. Writers usually create their stories in a bubble, so this sort of professional, honest feedback is priceless (and certainly a huge bargain at $35-45 per manuscript!) I strongly recommend Ink & Insights to any aspiring writer.
--Graeme
The contest has been a big part of helping my manuscript hit that note I wanted to hear from it. Feedback from the judges has been knowledgeable and nuanced, and I know my novel has improved because of it. All that, AND the fun of a competition? Spectacular. I'm already looking forward to next year!
--Cesar
I was thrilled to get the level of feedback and suggestions that I received from each of the 4 editors. Their comments will make my story better and more marketable. I'm excited to incorporate what I learned and start submitting to agents. This was a wonderful experience and I will be encouraging the writers I know to participate in the future. Thank you for making something like this available. Hiring editors is costly - and this was a very economical way to get direction! THANK YOU!
--Jane
The judges gave me lots of specific comments about how to improve my submission and my writing in general. I entered into the Master category this year and the judges were harder on my work than in the Apprentice category, but I felt energized by their insight and suggestions, and ready to take the story to the next level. Very helpful!
--Sarah
The Ink and Insights contest provides a phenomenal opportunity to receive detailed feedback from four separate judges, and at a very affordable cost. I can and will recommend this contest to anyone without reservation, and I will be back next year with my new manuscript.
--Leslie
As always, the standard of the returned feedback was very high. I love the way it's broken down into the main writing elements and how each score, then written feedback is specific to that focus. Scoring both numerically and with constructive comments allows the author to gauge their strengths and weaknesses with ease. I obtained so many terrific little nuggets of advice and sparked many new ideas of the back of the judges' comments that I received and I will definitely be a return customer next year, as a have for the last 4 years. I&I is number 1 for feedback compared to any other writing contest I've entered.
--Stuart
This was my first experience with Ink and Insights and I found the process to be fair, accurate, and enormously helpful. I've taken fiction writing courses for the past four years and have never received this amount of detailed feedback. I very much appreciated the time and work the judges put in to help me write a better story and become a better writer.
--Nadine
I've worked on the first 40 pages with a couple of editors (one well-known), but find the critiques from your program vastly more detailed and helpful.
--Sandra
I found the evaluations -all of them- highly insightful and beneficial. The comments and feedback were direct and helpful. What a wonderful service you've offered - not just a contest - but a true way for an author to gain insight into their work - and if they're serious about honing their skills, a great tool to do so.
--Denise
The Ink and Insights writing contest is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your novel. Insightful, concise and thoughtful feedback designed to help your work shine. (P.S.: agent rep'd...author of 2 published novels.)
--Robin
I was ecstatic with the comments that the team at Ink & Insight had to offer for my book. It was the best decision I have ever made. The judges’ skill at identifying strengths and weakness in my novel was priceless. I would highly recommend entering their contest.
--Henya
The main thing I want is feedback from knowledgeable people who don't know me. This is the best contest for the money I've ever seen. I plan to submit every book I write, and submit it the following year too, if necessary. (Lest the judges cringe, I also plan to edit it better first.)
--Lewis
This is one of the best contests I've entered! The feedback I received was constructive and thoughtful and was a great help not just for my submission, but for my writing overall.
--Whitney
I was quite surprised at the level of input I received. All of the judges gave me actionable information and I appreciate the diverse comments. I will definately try again next year.
--Vicki
This contest helped me make my manuscripts publication ready. Thank you!
--Debra
This was my first year entering the contest and I have to say I am very impressed with the volume and quality of feedback I received. It has been very helpful in my writing.
--Chantelle
After reading the remarks of the judges, I realized that my manuscript needed several revisions. I made the necessary changes and believe that the book is really good. Thanks to the suggestions, I rewrote my story and think it soars now. They definitely helped me make it better.
--Linda
This contest is an ideal method for the novice writer to obtain professional feedback in a timely manner. Use of the score sheet alone will help the writer improve.
--Brian
Ink & Insights is the competition to enter if you are serious about wanting to improve your manuscript.
--Kristin
What a wonderful service. There is no faster, cheaper way to get intelligent, meaningful feedback on my first couple of chapters.
--Russ
I am impressed that Ink & Insights offers such enormous help to writers for so little cost. I think if more people knew about this, there would be more submissions. I hope you keep the contest going for ever!
--Linda
Ink & Insights is the competition to enter if you are serious about wanting to improve your manuscript.
--Kristin
Affordable, timely, personal, and every serious unpublished author should consider it.
--Tofy
Objective criticism, received simultaneously from four judges, is invaluable to any writer who hopes to improve his craft.
--Mike
This has been a great experience. The feedback I received was fair, helpful and validating.
--Sarah
I am so grateful for the feedback I received from my judges. The critique was on point, constructive, and encouraging. I thank you, & my manuscript thanks you!
--Zoe
I think the judges were excellent. Most of them pointed out the same problems which really helped to highlight what I needed to work on.
--Linda
Ink & Insights" provides writers at all stages of their careers with a hugely valuable resource for a modest investment.
--James
A professional way to get unbiased feedback on your work.