First Chapter Challenge

Spring 2025 Contest

Any fiction, any style, any writer. Submit the first chapter of your novel-in-progress, 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  • Original, unpublished, unrepresented fiction (no poetry)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:

  • Developmental edit of their first chapter from a senior editor

  • $250

  • Featured interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Spotlight on @writesofnovember Instagram

Second Prize:

  • Developmental edit of their first chapter from a senior editor

  • $100

  • Mini-interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Third Prize:

  • Developmental edit of their first chapter from a senior editor

  • $50

  • Mini-interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Honorable Mentions:

  • Title & IG handle posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.

  • Early Bird Submission fee (apply before October 3, 2024 at 11:59pm) is $25 per submission. After that, the Regular Submission fee is $30 per submission. These costs allow me to offer cash prizes & provide future contest opportunities.

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

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

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

  • If your work is unpublished and unrepresented at the time of submission, you may enter it to the contest.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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

  • Winners and other participants will be notified via email in late June or early July.

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.

Take a chance on your writing:

  • "I was proud of myself just for submitting my writing for strangers to read, so receiving such lovely feedback from the judges and having the opportunity to share more about the story has been wonderful. I’d absolutely recommend other writers participate in contests like this—you never know!”

    — Ali Venosa, 2nd place, First Page Frenzy 2024

  • "I never expected to learn so much about myself and my writing style through this process, but I can tell I'm coming out of this experience a stronger writer. I highly encourage everyone to share their writing whenever possible because it's the best way to grow as an artist! The time spent working on your submission is so beneficial, even if your story isn't chosen."

    — Summer Weaver, 5th Place, Triple Threads 2025

  • “I was unsure if I would submit anything, but a part of me thought why not? And I’m so grateful to have trusted that tiny voice."

    — Kaylee Peltier, 1st Place, First Page Frenzy 2024

  • “This was my first writing contest, and it has meant so much to me. It really forced me to flex my imagination in a way that I found to be so much fun. I would absolutely recommend this contest to other writers—especially newer ones like myself—who are looking for a safe outlet to gain feedback on their work.

    — Kass Raitz, Honorable Mention, Triple Threads 2025

  • "After this experience, I can honestly say that putting your writing out there is so worth it. The moment I hit the submit button, a sense of peace and a surprising boost of confidence washed over me."

    — Leyla Battista-Channell, 3rd Place, First Page Frenzy 2024

  • "When I saw this event I thought ‘I can do one page.’ Now, I’m almost 20k words into my story after starting that one page and loving it.”

    — Kaleigh Flynn, Contestant, First Page Frenzy 2024