I have oft been sceptical of the merits of songwriting competitions organised by festivals, as it depends what the judges like as to how well your particular composition is received, but I entered the Plymouth Folk Festival songwriting comp (trad section) last year, with my song 'Hevva' and came fifth, I heard the other songs I was up against, and was in agreement with the judges, who had a really difficult task.>br> This year I entered 'The Labourer's Year' and heard yesterday that I have won the traditional section - I am delighted!
If any of you out there are sceptical, I would say give it a go, if you don't win, it doesn't mean your song is no good, it just means that either the judges had different taste or there were others as good or better - and keep trying!
Good Luck and cheers!
Lucy