- Smaller pieces gets you known to editors who, having seen and enjoyed your work, are more likely to commission you for longer pieces later.

- Word for word, rewards are far higher than for almost any other type of written projects, with possible exception of creating winning slogans and tie-breakers for big-prize competitions. (Don't worry, How to Be a Five Minute Writer includes a free guide to writing competitions tie-breakers and slogans).

- No rejection slips, ever! What better start to a full-time writing career?

- Finished pieces can be completed in minutes and spread over whatever time writer can spare between other professional and domestic activities. Great for mother or carer, or otherwise housebound or restricted individual with a desire to write, but little time to spare.

- No bulky equipment and research materials required, meaning you can write, any time, any place, anywhere. A notepad and pen is all you really need to get started on this amazing journey to becoming a well-paid writer.

- Fillers can be fitted between longer writing or non-writing assignments, offering a change of ‘scenery' and more frequent financial rewards.

- Every single piece you write can be recycled in columns, articles, even full-length best-selling books, and can continue earning high rewards over months, years, perhaps forever.

It's not a case of ‘cheap and cheerful' for those who publish your work - they need you - to increase interest in their publications, reduce reading times, multiply circulation rates, and cut their overheads.

For that they'll reward you well, and continue doing so, perhaps for lifetime of your mutual existence!

Avril Harper (www.fillerfactory.com) is the author of ‘How to Be a Five Minute Writer' and spends a great deal of her own full-time writing day creating short pieces for regular, high ticket rewards.

8. Organize your work to be ready to enter contests. New contests pop up daily online. If you have your stories, essays, poems and book proposals organized, you can quickly pull one from your files of articles. Some contests accept previously published pieces, so know where your reprints are too.

9. Keep close tabs on what contests are coming up. Writer's Digest Writers Markets has a section listing writing contests. The Writer magazine has a markets section in each issue that includes contests. Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, which offers large cash prizes, and ByLine Magazine, which pays extra (beyond nice cash prizes) to publish winning stories, list their upcoming contests in each issue. Write down URL's listed below so you can plan a weekly foray online to find new competitions that meet your writing and personality.

10. Write fiction and want to add a win to your publishing credits? Know periodicals and reviews that have writing contests. Read what they publish so you'll know what to submit to contests. Glimmer Train has an annual new writers contest for those who've not yet been published in short story genre. They are so organized for this and their other contests that they accept entries and fee online, and send e-mail reminders to subscribers and writers when new contest deadlines are looming.

11. Take advantage of business tax deductions. Entry fees can be listed on your Schedule C (assuming you are a sole proprietorship) as a business expense, so keep track of entry fees you've paid. Any cash prizes, though, are not considered business income, but must be listed under "Other Income" on your 1040.

Resources to Help You Find and Win Contests:

Information on Contests http://www.windpub.com/literary.scams/ http://www.writersweekly.com/phpBB2 - has a Whispers and Warnings Board http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/contests.html http://www.absolutewrite.com - click on Water Cooler at top of page to go to both a Bewares message board and a message board of paying opportunities including contests.

Contest listings: http://www.fmam.biz http://www.glimmertrain.com http://www.food-writing.com http://www.writing-word.com/contests/index.shtml http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/ http://www.writersdigest.com/contests http://www.poewar.com http://www.directory.ansme.com/arts/5566127.html http://www.ByLinemag.com/contests.asp

Pamela White is the editor and publisher of "Food Writing," an online newsletter which is running its first contest right now. She writes on writing, food, parenting, nutrition and life in general from her haunted home in northern New York amid the bustle of three children, her husband, five cats and one dog. Visit her at http://www.food- writing.com .