The Word Cloud

Is it okay to submit the same short story to several competitions? Or is this frowned upon with heavy, furrowed brows, and possibily the clicking of a tongue?

Maybe even the threat of a slap with a carpet slipper...

I think it's OK, common even. I've certainly done it and will continue to do it. Except it's advisable to wait until you've heard the result of one comp before submitting your story to another.

Reason are two-fold:

- Many comps will disqualify an entry that's been placed in another comp, so if it's done well in the first, you've wasted your second entry fee.

- The prize is often publication of some sort - in a magazine, or anthology for instance, and so 'unpublished' is often a stipulation. If the first one is placed and will be published, this may automatically invalidate its entry in the second comp.

If neither of these apply to the comps you have in mind, then fill your boots.

There's a third thing: You may possibly jinx the second entry by assuming the first won't get anywhere.
Where's your confidence in your story, the universe asks.

As I say - safer to wait until you know the outcome of the first entry before submitting the story again. A pain I know, because of the humungously long lead times, but there we are.

Oh, and 'publication' can include web-publication, which other comps may not like. I know cos I've just asked this of a comp organiser.

Cheers Whiskers. There just seem to be several closing around the same time with similar requirements.

I know. If only they'd dovetail themselves nicely. You need a spreadsheet to keep track of closing dates and results-announced dates. A drag.
To answer your question though, I don't think it's ethically wrong. But if you win the first, you may be obliged to withdraw from the second for the above reasons. It can be done, but the organisers may get grumpy with you. Up to you.

Yes, it's maddening, isn't it. It's worth thinking out the possible permutations of win and not-win and the dates and things, so you maximise your chances without getting into the comps bad books more than the minimum.