Happy summer, everyone! Unless, of course, you live somewhere where it’s winter. Angela and I Skype with Lee (who lives in Australia) every other week, and it’s a little disorienting to see him in sweaters while we’re sweating our bits off. But it’s a good reminder that everyone’s situation is a little different. So wherever you live, I hope you’re enjoying the weather and finding a happy balance between work and relaxation.
Me saying that is very much the pot talking to the kettle, because the Puglisi household is a little chaotic right now. After much discussion, we decided to move from New York back to south Florida (where our remaining bits will undoubtedly be sweated off within minutes of arriving), and because the school year starts a month earlier there, we’re racing to get everything packed and finalized.

*twitches*
So life is a little cuckoo. I just keep telling myself that in two months, everything will be great again ;). In the meantime, I’m trying to hold on to some form of consistency, and one of the best ways I can think to do that is to get my mitts on some first-page reading material. And so…
CRITIQUES 4 U!
CONTEST CLOSED!
If you’re working on a first page (in any genre except erotica) and would like some objective feedback, please leave a comment. Any comment :). As long as the email address associated with your WordPress account/comment profile is up-to-date,I’ll be able to contact you if your first page is chosen. Just please know that if I’m unable to get in touch with you through that address, you’ll have to forfeit your win.
Two caveats:
▪ Please be sure your first page is ready to go so I can critique it before next month’s contest rolls around. If it needs some work and you won’t be able to get it to me right away, let me ask that you plan on entering the next contest, once any necessary tweaking has been taken care of.
▪ I’d like to be able to use portions of winning submissions as illustrations in an upcoming presentation on first pages. By entering the Critiques 4 U contest, you’ll be granting permission for me to use small writing samples only (no author names or book titles).
Three commenters’ names will be randomly drawn and posted tomorrow morning. If you win, you can email me your first page and I’ll offer my feedback.
We run this contest on a monthly basis, so if you’d like to be notified when the next opportunity comes around, consider subscribing to our blog (see the left-hand sidebar).
Best of luck!
Oh, and one more BIG heads up!

Angela, Lee, and I have rolled out a 2-week FREE TRIAL at One Stop for Writers, and we hope you will all take advantage of it!
You can use all of our completed descriptive thesauruses (yes, including the expanded Emotion Thesaurus!) and our custom writing tools like the hyper-intelligent Character Builder that will map out your character’s arc in a handy story blueprint!
Just stop in, register if you haven’t already, and activate your free trial. No credit card required. 🙂
Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Wishing you the best of luck on your move, Becca.
Thanks very much for all the well wishes. The winners for this month are Mary Luce, Sarah Foil, and Linda Zastawnik. I’ll be in touch!
Thanks again for entering, everyone. I’ll see you on the other side :).
Count me in!
Thank you for the opportunity. I love all of the books you ladies write and recommend them to other writers. Please do put my name in the hat for the first page critique.
Yes, please.
Oh dear! It seems I must miss out on this one. Alas, I don’t have a word press account: in fact I don’t even know what it is. So – unless someone takes pity on an old lady, who has delusions of becoming a published author – I must pass.
Your books are an amazing resource. Thank you for all you do for the writing community.
I would love a critique of my first page. Thank you!
A welcome opportunity if chosen. What a great way to share with those that follow.
JLS
I’m one of “those” sitting in front of the heater … LOL
Anyway, thanks for the generous offer. It’d be great to get some feedback on my “first page”
Thanks for the great info and a chance to hace my first page critiqued.
My first two novels were rejected. Third time is the charm. Hoping and praying it’s better than the first two! Thank you for this opportunity!
Yes please!
Thank you for the opportunity.
Thank you for the opportunity to have my first page of my novel critiqued.
And, thank you for all the help you give to writers!
Pretty please pick me. Thanks!
I’m in, too! Would love for you to critique the first page to my manuscript. Thank you!!
Good luck with the move 🙂
I’d love to have you critique my women’s fiction novel
Thanks.
It’s time. Hit me with your rhythm stick!
Thanks for the chance!
Count me in. I would love to be critiqued.
You two are so awesome. I look forward to your posts and your next book.
I’d love a critique too. Thanks!
Thanks so much for helping struggling writers.
Would love to take part, thank you so much!
This is such a great opportunity! Thank you.
Hi Becca and Angela! May you have cool breezes and no heatstroke. I’d love a critique of my first page.
Yes please!!!
Love it! Thank you!
Hello
I’d love to participate!
I’d love a critique! Thank you.
I would appreciate a review of my first page. Thank you for offering this opportunity.
I would love a critique of my first page.
I would love a critique of my first page. I think it’s generous of you to offer these.s
You give so much. Thank you.
Hoping to get picked for a first page critique. Thanks for the fantastic posts.
I’d like to throw my name in that hat!
Thanks 🙂
*fingers crossed*
Would love a critique!
Thanks for all you do to help us writers.
What a great opportunity. Thanks so much!
I’m in!
Hi – I’d be thrilled to bits if you chose my first page to critique. Thanks!