Novelists dream of becoming full-time writers, when the truth is being able to support yourself with book-length fiction is quite difficult. I make more than I ever have with my novels, but I still freelance to make the writing income I desire.

There is a reason that FundsforWriters posts Contests, Grants, Markets, and Publishers. I firmly believe that novelists can participate in all four categories. Even if you’ve found a publisher you adore, it behooves you to submit to the other options.

Contests

1) Placing in a contest can open doors to a bigger platform.
2) Placing in a contest can elevate your bio further and faster.
3) Placing in a contest can acquire you a publisher.
4) Placing in a contest can help you decipher how well your writing is progressing.

Grants

1) Winning a grant/residency can gain you financial reward.
2) Winning a grant/residency can introduce you to influencers for your work.
3) Winning a grant/residency can earn you an expense-paid trip and writing time.
4) Winning a grant/residency can improve your resume when pitching elsewhere.
5) Winning a grant/residency can lead you to mentors for your work-in-progress.

Markets

1) Writing freelance can increase your income.
2) Writing freelance attracts more immediate income.
3) Writing freelance can introduce your books/work to a wider audience.
4) Writing freelance can elevate your bio further and faster.
5) Writing freelance proves you are a serious writer.
6) Writing freelance proves you are a diverse writer.

You may say you don’t have the time. That is only a choice you can make. I adore having more immediate deadlines than those of my novels, which is two deadlines a year. I love writing for Chapin Neighbors Magazine and Writer’s Digest blog on a monthly basis, and for SC Wildlife twice a year. I love seeing a market that piques my interest, and submitting something just to see if they bite. And the periodic checks are nice as well.

If you wish to broaden your platform and spread your name faster than you would just writing book-length works, look at more immediate options like Contests, Grants, and Markets. I’ve had a lot of people read my freelance work then turn to my novels, grateful they “discovered” me.