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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Phenomenal First Pages Contest

March 16, 2023 by BECCA PUGLISI 90 Comments

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 the blog (in the sidebar).

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 (double-spaced in 12-point font) 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.

  ▪    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 right-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.

BECCA PUGLISI
BECCA PUGLISI

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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. MINDY ALYSE WEISS says

    March 17, 2023 at 5:54 am

    Thank you all for visiting Writers Helping Writers and entering our contest. The three lucky winners are…

    KD Holmberg

    Kimberly Mooneyham

    Dawn Knox

    Huge congrats! I’ll send all three winners an e-mail with instructions. 🙂

    Reply
  2. T. L. Sherwood says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:55 pm

    How awesome! Thank you for doing this!

    Reply
  3. Eric Pagan says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:13 pm

    This is great, Always looking for feedback!

    Reply
  4. Glenn Liddy says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:35 pm

    I am interested in having my page reviewed.

    Reply
  5. Mary Pakusch says

    March 16, 2023 at 9:48 pm

    I would love to have feedback on my first page!

    Reply
  6. Regis DeArza says

    March 16, 2023 at 9:32 pm

    What a fantastic opportunity

    Reply
  7. Sam Muller says

    March 16, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    Thanks for this great help. Goot luck to everyone commenting including me.

    Reply
  8. Alicia Winter says

    March 16, 2023 at 8:14 pm

    Sign me up for the contest!!

    Reply
  9. Nicole Egan says

    March 16, 2023 at 8:09 pm

    I would welcome the opportunity!

    Reply
  10. Cecilia Bamberg says

    March 16, 2023 at 6:50 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  11. Angie Alban says

    March 16, 2023 at 6:14 pm

    I am thrilled by this opportunity to polish my novel’s first page. Thank you!

    Reply
  12. Mary Murry says

    March 16, 2023 at 5:31 pm

    I would love your critique of my first page.

    Reply
  13. Donna Royston says

    March 16, 2023 at 5:00 pm

    Sounds like fun!

    Reply
  14. Nicole Dunlap says

    March 16, 2023 at 4:48 pm

    Would love this opportunity for the first page of my Christian Romantic Suspense novel. Thank you for the chance, Becca!

    Reply
  15. KD Holmberg says

    March 16, 2023 at 4:42 pm

    Wow. This is fun. Love you girls!

    Reply
  16. Jessica Swafford says

    March 16, 2023 at 4:16 pm

    Wow, so many comments! Still worth a try.

    Reply
  17. Talia Goforth says

    March 16, 2023 at 4:09 pm

    Yay! I’d love a critique!

    Reply
  18. Ducklady says

    March 16, 2023 at 3:46 pm

    This looks like fun. It’s definately one of the more creative contests I’ve ever seen. Because of it I just went back and took a gander at my first page. So glad I did because I rewrote the first paragraph–one of those “never quite write” things and am happy with it.
    Thanks for doing this. I’ve benefitted already.

    I am totally addicted to your emotion thesaurus.

    Reply
    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      March 17, 2023 at 8:31 pm

      I am so glad the ET is a help!

      Reply
  19. Alice Loweecey says

    March 16, 2023 at 3:43 pm

    I would really appreciate objective eyes on my first page. Thank you!

    Reply
  20. Susan Ward says

    March 16, 2023 at 3:39 pm

    I’d love to receive a constructive critique of my first page.

    Reply
  21. Erica Sheldon says

    March 16, 2023 at 3:22 pm

    I would love a critique of my first page. What a wonderful opportunity!!

    Reply
  22. Karen B Janowsky says

    March 16, 2023 at 3:15 pm

    Count me in!! 🙂

    Reply
  23. Jessica Carasquillo says

    March 16, 2023 at 2:29 pm

    Thanks for holding this contest!

    Reply
  24. Alex Sousa says

    March 16, 2023 at 2:08 pm

    Thanks for doing this every month.

    Reply
  25. Jessica Costello says

    March 16, 2023 at 1:50 pm

    Great to see you’re doing so much for the writing community!

    Reply
    • Susan Sams Baggott says

      March 16, 2023 at 1:57 pm

      Looking forward to your input. Thanks.
      Susan

      Reply
    • Marie Etzler says

      March 16, 2023 at 3:16 pm

      Thanks for the contest entry opportunity. I just joined the site a few months ago and love it.

      Reply
  26. Kathryn says

    March 16, 2023 at 1:34 pm

    I’d love some feedback!

    Reply
  27. Yoneta says

    March 16, 2023 at 1:22 pm

    Would love a critique of my first pages! <3

    Reply
  28. Deborah Sword says

    March 16, 2023 at 1:05 pm

    Thank you for all you do for the wannabe writer.

    Reply
  29. Jacquolyn McMurray says

    March 16, 2023 at 1:03 pm

    I’d love another set of eyes on my first page. Thanks for the opportunity.

    Reply
  30. Eva Webster says

    March 16, 2023 at 12:39 pm

    Here it is. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Niki says

      March 16, 2023 at 1:00 pm

      Thanks for offering this. Fingers crossed

      Reply
  31. Nicole Holloway says

    March 16, 2023 at 12:21 pm

    Yes please!!

    Reply
  32. Lauren says

    March 16, 2023 at 12:21 pm

    Thank you for offering such a wonderful opportunity!

    Reply
  33. Teresa Lynn says

    March 16, 2023 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks for offering this so often. Love the new look!

    Reply
  34. Gifford MacShane says

    March 16, 2023 at 12:13 pm

    I’d love a critique of the first page of my WIP.

    Reply
  35. Katie says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:56 am

    I’d love feedback on my first page. Much thanks for the contest.

    Reply
  36. Doug Fricke says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:43 am

    The first page of a true adventure story needs an honest critique.

    Reply
  37. Donna Reed says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:42 am

    Yes, please!

    Reply
  38. MZ says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:38 am

    Ooooh. Yes. Thanks!!

    Reply
  39. Myka says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:37 am

    Yes please. Thank you

    Reply
  40. Patricia Nesbitt says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:24 am

    Thank you for offering this opportunity. Appreciate all that you offer to writers to help us hone our craft.

    Reply
  41. Beverley Burgess Bell says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:02 am

    Thank you for this opportunity.

    Reply
  42. Dooley says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:01 am

    I’d love to have some feedback. Concerned the voice is too much and it starts a little slow. OK, I’m worried it starts a lot slow.

    Reply
  43. Mary Incontro says

    March 16, 2023 at 11:00 am

    Would love fresh eyes on my opening!

    Reply
  44. Katherine Warncke says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:53 am

    Always looking forward to this opportunity!

    Fingers crossed! I’d love fresh eyes on my opening.

    Reply
  45. Jean says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:53 am

    Thank you and count me in!

    Reply
  46. Natasha says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:50 am

    Wonderful contest! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  47. DIANE SHOTTON says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:44 am

    Looking forward to this opportunity!

    Reply
  48. Katherine Warncke says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:41 am

    Oooohhh, always looking forward to this contest! Fingers crossed this go-round.

    Reply
  49. Deena Graves says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:32 am

    Thank you for keeping this opportunity going!!

    Reply
    • Christie says

      March 16, 2023 at 11:11 am

      Hello, thank you for the opportunity! I’d love to enter.

      Reply
  50. Heather McLeod says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:31 am

    Yes please! I’d love fresh eyes on this thing. Fingers are crossed.

    Reply
  51. Diane Rinella says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:26 am

    Ugh, yeah. This could use new eyes. 😀 Thanks!

    Reply
  52. Greta Gize Olbrich says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:25 am

    Thank you for the opportunity.

    Reply
  53. Shelley O'Rourke says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:16 am

    Wonderful opportunity!!!

    Reply
  54. Josh says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:07 am

    What a great opportunity!

    Reply
  55. Marie Powell says

    March 16, 2023 at 10:00 am

    This is a great opportunity! Thanks!

    Reply
  56. Paula Bryner says

    March 16, 2023 at 9:48 am

    This is exciting! Thanks so much for this and all your content.

    Reply
  57. Aleska Buszta says

    March 16, 2023 at 9:40 am

    Hello.

    I’d love feedback on my first few pages. I’m torn on ikf my few first pages grab the reader and would love your feedback on it.

    Reply
  58. Kimberly Mooneyham says

    March 16, 2023 at 9:39 am

    This is my first time entering this contest and I would love to have feedback on a short story I’ve almost completed. Thank you!

    Reply
  59. Barb Ristine says

    March 16, 2023 at 9:30 am

    Thanks for this opportunity—your writing advice is invaluable!

    Reply
  60. Anita Banks says

    March 16, 2023 at 9:00 am

    Exciting oppertunity!

    Reply
  61. Michael Dunne says

    March 16, 2023 at 9:00 am

    Good morning, Becca!

    Haven’t had a lot of “me” time for creative writing lately, but have several first pages to choose from. If I win, well, I’ll have to pick just one 😉

    Best to you and Angela!

    p.s. love the new site!

    Reply
    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      March 17, 2023 at 8:32 pm

      Thanks Michael!

      Reply
  62. Michael Ko says

    March 16, 2023 at 8:57 am

    My first page is ready for review. Thank you very much.

    Reply
  63. Paula Cappa says

    March 16, 2023 at 8:51 am

    I’m in again. Your blog is always helpful. I just bought The Occupation Thesaurus. Love it! Helps especially when you need to create a quick one-liner description of a character.

    Reply
    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      March 17, 2023 at 8:33 pm

      Aw, thank you. I hope you find that one really helpful, Paula!

      Reply
  64. Margie says

    March 16, 2023 at 8:39 am

    Thank you for such a great opportunity!

    Reply
  65. Karin says

    March 16, 2023 at 8:26 am

    This sounds amazing!

    I did try and comment before but can’t see my comment showing up! Hope I am not too late to enter.

    Reply
  66. Amy says

    March 16, 2023 at 8:07 am

    Such a wonderful opportunity, thanks for the chance to receive feedback!
    Amy

    Reply
  67. Kathleen says

    March 16, 2023 at 7:57 am

    Yes !

    Reply
  68. Rochelle Gosling says

    March 16, 2023 at 7:47 am

    Hello Becca I’d love your thoughts on my first page! Rochelle

    Reply
  69. Thornton Blease says

    March 16, 2023 at 7:40 am

    This sounds amazing. My first page is ready to go!

    Reply
  70. Rebecca Fettig says

    March 16, 2023 at 7:31 am

    Truly a great opportunity! Thank you!

    Reply
  71. Diane Spigonardo says

    March 16, 2023 at 7:30 am

    Thanks, Becca, for the opportunity/chance!

    Reply
  72. Kelley Bowen says

    March 16, 2023 at 7:03 am

    Thank you and good luck to all. xoxo.

    Reply
  73. Michael Ko says

    March 16, 2023 at 6:42 am

    My first page is ready to be critiqued. Thank you very much.

    Reply
  74. Karen J Hughes says

    March 16, 2023 at 6:42 am

    Thanks for running this contest! A win would be fabulous.

    Reply
  75. Nicole C. says

    March 16, 2023 at 6:24 am

    Thanks for this!!

    Reply
  76. Jennie Dugan says

    March 16, 2023 at 5:45 am

    Good morning, Becca! My first page is ready to go. In fact, I think —I hope, I pray, and maybe, just maybe— the book is ready for objective editorial eyes. It’s a historical romance. The tricky place is where to start the story. Did I leave the reader confused, or did I give enough hints to the era? Is my writing wordy? Will my readers care about the character introduced? Most important, will they turn the page?
    Say the word, and the first page is on its way to you.
    Thank you for this.
    Kind regards,
    Jennie D

    Reply
  77. Mary S Luce says

    March 16, 2023 at 5:43 am

    This would be so helpful.

    Reply
  78. Rachael says

    March 16, 2023 at 5:23 am

    What an awesome opportunity! Always looking for feedback 🙂

    Reply
  79. Dawn Knox says

    March 16, 2023 at 4:22 am

    What an amazing opportunity!

    Reply
  80. Cynthia says

    March 16, 2023 at 3:22 am

    Thank you for holding this contest.

    Reply
  81. Cindy says

    March 16, 2023 at 3:08 am

    What an amazing opportunity. The first page is crucial to hook the reader so to get feedback on it would be incredible

    Reply
  82. Laura Kunigėlytė says

    March 16, 2023 at 2:57 am

    This sound amazing

    Reply
  83. Carolyn Crow says

    March 16, 2023 at 1:10 am

    That’s such an exciting opportunity! First pages are hard as so much is riding on them. Would love to get feedback.

    Reply

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