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 one 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 (in the 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.
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.
Catherine Misener says
Hope to win!
Mindy Alyse Weiss says
Congrats! The lucky ducks this month are Ligia, Nadine A Hofmann, and Fritzie. I’ll be in touch soon about your first pages :).
Thanks so much for entering, everyone. We’ll see you next month!
toni lynn idowu says
I love this site. It has been such an immense help with my writing. I really love the Emotions thesaurus.
Steven Pelzer says
Christina would love a chance to have you review the beginning of her adventure.
Siobhan Sullivan says
What a great idea! Thank you! 😀
Brian Dale Pope says
I’m in!
Thank you.
–Brian Dale Pope
Erin says
Only just saw the email. Have I missed the cutoff? Nevermind. 😊
ANGELA ACKERMAN says
Nope. the draw will happen tomorrow morning, so you’re in 🙂 Good luck!
Jessica Fortin says
Good afternoon! I’d like to try my hand at the roulette wheel again and submit my name for a First Pages critique! I’m on my last re-write before I start editing, and would LOVE a helping hand on what I consider my weakest point. Thanks for running this contest!
Karin L. says
Thank you!
Beverly King says
Thanks for this opportunity for a critique. You are the best!
Beverly King says
Can we just hire you to do a first page or first chapter critique of our book?
Beverly King sweet romance
Jeanette G. says
Hi there… Count me in. I would love to have a first-page critique. Thanks for the opportunity.👍
Karen Lowe says
Please and thank you!
Ligia says
I am more than ready for this! Thank you for the opportunity 😊
Jeremiah says
I need all of the help I can get! This is one way to get you baby out there, if you are like me and are afraid of criticism.
Giff MacShane says
Just finished editing Chapter 1 — would love another pair of eyes on my first page! Thanks so much!
E.F. Buckles says
I’ve seen this contest for over a year now and I think I’m finally ready to give it a shot! I’d love some feedback on the new opening of my YA portal fantasy, In Dreams They Came.
Adrienne DeWitt says
Love your newsletters! Thank you for all the help. Throwing my hat into this month’s first page contest. Thank you!
MAL G KING says
I’M A DERANGED OLD COOT, BUT I KNOW A BARGAIN WHEN I SEE ONE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELPFUL BLOG.
Emma A says
Sounds amazing, fingers crossed!
Marcia Berneger says
What a great opportunity to get feedback before March 1. Thank you!!
Nadine A Hofmann says
I’m throwing my pen in the ring!
Tracy Perkins says
In the words of Og Mandino, I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.” Becca, thank you for the opportunity to show us the stars in our work.
Fritzie says
I love your blog. It really, really helps in my writing.
Ginger says
This sounds a bit scary but also fun. I’m in! Thanks for running this contest!
Steve Silverman says
A great opportunity for a newbie short story writer like me. I can hardly wait….’Choose me! Choose me!
Lynne Clark says
So exciting! I have all appendages crossed for success, and look forward top hearing from you soon!
Becky says
May the odds be in my favor! *fingers crossed*
martha walker says
Hi, looking forward to another fun contest
Cressida says
Would love another pair of eyes on my middle grade. Thank you for the opportunity.
William says
My friends-to-lovers contemporary romance attempt bats its eyelids at you 😉
Katherine says
Awesome! Thank you for the opportunity to enter.
Marcia Furrow says
First pagers rule!
Mary Patrick says
Thanks for the opportunity!
Darlene Nastansky says
Thank you and fingers crossed.
Dave says
May the Great Pumpkin rise in my first page.
Candace Lea Wafford says
Thank you for doing this. I would love to get some feedback on the first page of my memoir-in-progress!
Catherine Hendrix says
Hi Becca. I would so love for you to read my first page. I’m in the process of revising my adult fantasy novel The Searing Sands. It would be such an honor.
Diane Tracy says
Oh goodness. I do have a first page that I think desperately needs a set of new eyes. I’d love to be chosen.
Katie Robles says
Great way to start a Thursday morning!
Lisa Carpenter says
I could use this. Thank you!
Gwen Gardner says
I always love the first page critique- I’d love to win it!
Bruce Rule says
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Percy the purple-beaked puffin’s intro. Thanks!
Carol Baldiwn says
count me in!
Mary S Luce says
I’d love to win this!
Joy V Spicer says
The first one of 2022! Thanks for keeping this going, Becca & Angela. Once again, jumping right in 😊 Good luck, everyone!