I was looking for a place to belong.

And I hoped it just might be at The Company.

When they announced the theme of their Summer 2022 writing contest, I couldn’t wait to submit.

The theme? “Mirror Image”

My current WIP? A flash fiction about twins that would later evolve into a deep book about shame, siblings, and special needs.

Identical twins…mirror image…it felt too perfect.

The Time I Submitted to this Contest

This story was the best thing I’d ever written, so I submitted with high hopes.

Before the contest closed, they sent an email about how few submissions they’d gotten so far.

I thought I was a shoe-in.

Really, I thought there was no way I wouldn’t place. If not the winner, I would at least get a mention. (And now I’m wincing to think of the pride…and sweating over this vulnerability.)

The winner got their story published in an online magazine (The Pearl) and a $100 Amazon gift card (can you imagine how many books that would buy?) The runner-up got credit for store merch.

Contests Can’t Judge Where You Belong

But I didn’t just want to win the summer contest, at the same time I was preparing to apply to their full-time apprenticeship program.

Applications opened September 1st. I planned to submit my application on September 1st.

I’d already started writing my answers to the application questions. The only other thing I needed was a writing sample. And you already know what the best thing I’d ever written was…

The email announcing contest winners came.

I read the subject line alone in my room: Summer Flash Fiction Contest Winners…

I opened the email and read the names.

Guess what? I wasn’t one. My story didn’t win first place, or second place, or even an honorable mention. No special email just for me, no request for an author bio and picture. Nothing.

Yep.

I had planned to submit to their full-time program with a story that just had bombed in their contest. And it was the best thing I’d ever written.

September 1st came and went for me.

I didn’t gather the courage to submit until months later, in December, after I completely rewrote that story.

Spoiler: I was accepted to the program and I’m happily there now.

The Contest I’m Judging

And now for your daily dose of irony: I’m a judge for the contest I lost two years ago.

Our theme is “Buried,” it’s FREE to enter, and you can find the full details here.

The winner gets published on The Pearl, wins an $100 Amazon gift card (so many books!), and earns the street credit from winning this contest.

You really don’t need to be afraid of submitting! Contests can’t judge where you belong because Jesus sets your value and, who knows, you might end up judging it in a few years. 😉

My fellow apprentices (and friends) Noah and RJ Catlin are judging the contest with me, which is exciting!! They’re also nice, friendly humans, so you don’t need to be scared of them.

You have nothing to lose! Submit to the contest by the July 1st deadline. Here’s the link again: please click me!

One last thing…

The Company is where I belong right now. I can’t promise it’s where you belong right now, but if you’re a writer, just pray about it. Look at the website.

There’s nowhere else like this: a program that not only genuinely prepares you for the industry, but meets in-person, with a strong focus on community and faith.

And if you come this year, we’d get to met! I’d love that. 🙂