Paying an entry fee?

Question

Is it okay if you pay an entry fee in cash or do you need to write a check?

Answer 1

Generally, contests that ask for an entry fee are considered frauds, but there are exceptions. Before you send any money to anyone, you must do your homework. Start with Absolute Write Water Cooler Bewares and Background Checks and Preditors and Editors. Then check with Writers Wall, Writers Weekly and Anne Crispin's site. If you are unsure, contact Dave K at Preditors or Victoria Strauss and James Macdonald at AW or Angela Hoy at Writers Weekly. Any of them should be able to help.

If there is any problem with the contest or the publisher running it, you will soon find out. I have known people who won "contests" where the prize was getting your book published. They got the book done after nearly 4 years of fighting and ended up selling THREE copies.

As for the fee, if you only have cash, you can always purchase a pre-paid credit card. But never ever send cash.

Be very careful of the contest game. It is very iffy. Pax - C

Answer 2

Cash will not be accepted...you must write a check or get a money order and send the fee that way.