Hey, wonderful writerly people! It’s time for our monthly first-page critique contest 🙂
This contest is closed—please try again next month. If you’d like to be notified when the next contest goes live, consider subscribing to our newsletter.
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. Resources for common problems writers encounter in their opening pages can be found here.
▪ This contest only runs for 24 hours, start to finish, so get your comment in there!
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!
PS: If you want to amp up your first page, grab our helpful First Pages checklist from One Stop for Writers. And for more instruction on these important opening elements, see this Mother Lode of First Page Resources.
PPS: The Conflict Challenge we introduced as part of our book release last week was so popular that we’ve extended it through the end of November. If you didn’t get a chance to have fun with this challenge (and win some prizes), give it a try!
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.
Ok! The lucky ducks this month are K. Taffy, Patricia, and Deb Gorman. I’ll be in touch soon :).
Thanks so much for entering, everyone. We’ll see you next month!
This is a fabulous idea! I just came across your site and have now bookmarked it. The links to resources were incredibly useful, too.
Oh, and I’d love to have my first page critiqued… Are you going with 250 words for a first page? Or half that because the first page of a chapter is normally shorter?
I’m so glad you found us Tamara! Unfortunately, the random generator didn’t spit out your number this time, but we run this contest on a monthly basis. If you’ve subscribed to our newsfeed, you’ll be notified in November when the opportunity rolls around again :).
I’d love to have some feedback!
Would love this opportunity!
I’d love the feedback. Thank you!
I’d love one!
Am I mentally challenged? Can’t seem to find on your site a link to the First Page Contest.
You found it, James. There is no link; to enter, just leave a comment on the post itself. So you did it perfectly. I hope to see you next month!
I’d love to have a first page critique!
Please, please, please!!
My first page has really been a struggle for me. I think that I’ve finally got it down – I’d love the chance for some fresh eyes on it!
I would love this opportunity to have my first pages critiqued and it’s ready to go.
Hi there… Yes, I would love to have a first page critique. Thanks for the opportunity.
HI! I am THIS close to getting my draft ready for line editing, and I would LOVE for you guys to give my first page a review.
I’d love to have a first-page critique!
I just recently discovered this blog/ site, and what a wonderful resource it is! Count me in for the contest. 🙂
I’m so glad you found us, Elizabeth! We hope to see you around for a long time.
Would love to!
Back for another try, I refuse to give up! 😁
Ready to go. In the editing stage. Already on your list with a different email. Own several of your books AND USE THEM. Thinking about The Conflict Thesaurus.
I would absolutely love an opportunity to have my first page critiqued. I understand the importance of a powerful opening and I am totally open to suggestions.
Today is my birthday, so it would be awesome to win! Thanks for the opportunity!
Would appreciate feedback for my first page! (:
My first page is ready and has been critiqued a couple times. I need new eyes on it.
I’m up for it!
Thanks for the opportunity . . . 🙂
I’d love first page feedback!
Yes please, I’d be so thrilled for you to take a look at my first page.
What a cool contest. Of course I’d love my first page critiqued. Ready to go!
Great opportunity! Thank you!
Fabulous opportunity! I’d love to be considered. My first page is ready to go. Thanks!
Keeping my fingers crossed for a first page critique!! Thanks for the opportunity.
I’m happy for the chance to comment on, The Emotion Thesaurus because it has become one of my favorite go-to’s when writing.
I’m ready, and so is my first page!
I’m ready for a page 1 critique!
Would love the chance, thanks!
I’d love to receive comment on the first page of my soon-to-be-published novella, “Windsong”.
My first page is ready to go – I’d love the chance for you to look over it!