Writer's Community

I am new to the writer's community, but I am in love with all they do for each other.  The latest and greatest discovery is writer's contests.  All you have to do is have a manuscript ready to go, and boy do I have one of those hanging around.  So, after a month of not touching the thing, I dusted it off, and got back to work!  Looks like I have two contests to enter next week, and hopefully I can at least get constructive advice to point me in the right direction (agent, please!  Notice me!!!  Save me hours that I could be spending on other manuscripts).  Cross your fingers for me.  It could be brutal!