YES, but to be honest, it took me several years and two books before I thought my writing was good enough.
Around the publication of my second book, I switched my thought process from Am I Good Enough to let’s use the submissions as another learning opportunity.
Some of the best and most in-depth feedback I have gotten was from an awards program hosted by Killer Nashville. Called the Claymore award, it’s their first 50 pages.
That feedback helped me improve my Code Name Snowman manuscript to the point that I got the book deal with Winding Road Stories.
Starting late last year and into the spring of this year I applied/submitted to six awards.
So far, I’ve gotten three positive returns.
I was a Storytrade finalist for the military genre with A Warrior’s Path.
I was a Killer Nashville – Silver Falchion – Top Pick for the Action and Adventure genre with Shadow Sanction
And I’ve been notified that I’m a Military Writers Society of America award finalist
So is it worth it, YES. Does it cost, in some cases, others no.
Submit for awards and let it go. The feedback, award or not, may lead to some great!