First Page Frenzy

Fall 2024 Contest

Any fiction, any style, any writer. Submit the first page of chapter one of your manuscript, and become eligible for cash prizes & shoutouts from @writesofnovember.

Review ALL guidelines below before applying.

All entries are read & reviewed by a panel of selected writers. Meet the judges here.

Submission Guidelines:

  • 1-page, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point standard font

  • Original, unpublished, unrepresented fiction (no poetry)

  • DocX or PDF file format only

  • Multiple submissions accepted

Awards

First Prize:

  • $500

  • Featured interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Spotlight on @writesofnovember Instagram

Second Prize:

  • $250

  • Mini-interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Third Prize:

  • $100

  • Mini-interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions


What is the deadline for submitting?

The Early Bird submission window ends on October 3, 2024 at 11:59pm CST. The Regular submission window ends on October 17, 2024 at 11:59pm CST.

What are the fees for applying?

Early Bird Submission fee (apply before October 3, 2024 at 11:59pm) is $15 per submission. After that, the Regular Submission fee is $20 per submission. These costs allow me to offer cash prizes & provide future contest opportunities.

What kinds of work can I submit?

Any genre or style of fiction is accepted (excluding non-fiction & poetry) as long as it fits on one page, double-spaced with 1-inch margins and a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman, Arial). It should be the first page of chapter one of your novel.

My book has a prologue. Should I submit the first page of that, or of Chapter One?

Either! Whichever you feel is a stronger representation of your talent as a writer.

I don’t live in the United States. Can I still apply?

Absolutely! The contest is open to writers across the globe.

I plan on publishing my work soon. Does this disqualify me from entering?

If your work is unpublished and unrepresented at the time of submission, you may enter it to the contest.

If I win, what if I don’t want my work shared?

Sharing your first page on the WoN website and social media will NOT affect your novel's eligibility for future publication. It's a great opportunity to build readership and momentum for your novel, but if you prefer to keep your work private, you'll have that option on the submission page. Simply leave the box unchecked if you'd like to stay anonymous and/or not share your work—your submission will still be evaluated the same either way.

What if I can’t afford the submission fee?

I want to keep these opportunities accessible for everyone. If you are a member of a historically marginalized group or are facing financial hardship, you are welcome to apply for a submission fee waiver. First round recipients will be notified Oct 1. Second round recipients will be notified Oct 14. You can find the application here.

Who will be judging the contest?

The contest will be judged by four respected and beloved writers from the writergram community. You can read more about the judges here.

When will results be announced?

Winners and other participants will be notified via email in mid-to-late November.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Entrants MUST be 18 years or older (or have permission from a legal guardian) to enter

  • Entries MUST be written in English, but may be translated

  • Any AI-generated or AI-assisted work will NOT be considered

  • While entrants may be previously published, the submitted entry MUST be from an unpublished & unrepresented work

  • Submission fees (or fee waivers) must be completed, and all formatting guidelines followed. Failure to comply will result in ineligibility, and the entry fee will not be refunded.