Hey, wonderful
writerly people!

It’s time for Phenomenal First Pages, our monthly critique contest. This is a special synopsis edition! So, if you need a bit of help with your synopsis, today’s the day to enter for a chance to win professional feedback! (We’ve had past winners tell us they’ve found their dream editors through this contest, and even ended up with offers of representation!)

Entering is easy. All you need to do is leave your contact information on this entry form (or click the graphic below). If you are a winner, we’ll notify you and explain how to send us your synopsis.

Contest Details

  • This is a 24-hour contest, so enter ASAP.
  • Make sure your contact information on the entry form is correct.
  • Five winners will be drawn. We will email you if you win and let you know how to submit your synopsis (up to 1500 words).
  • Please have your synopsis ready in case your name is selected. Format it with 1-inch margins, 12pt Times New Roman font. 
  • All genres are welcome.

The editor you’ll be working with:

Julie Artz

Julie Artz has spent the past decade helping writers like you slay their doubt demons and get their novels and memoirs reader-ready. She’s worked with both award-winning and newer authors across the publishing spectrum from Big Five to small and university presses to indie and hybrid. She is an Author Accelerator-certified Founding Book Coach, a sought-after speaker and writing instructor, and a regular contributor to Jane Friedman and Writers Helping Writers, and a regular instructor for AuthorsPublish, IWWG, and more. Her work as a Pitch Wars and Teen Pit mentor, a former SCBWI Regional Advisor (WWA), and her memberships in The EFA, the WFWA, AWP, and the Authors Guild keep her industry knowledge sharp. A consummate social and environmental justice minded story geek, Julie lives in by an enchanted stream in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, two strong-willed teenagers (when they’re not off at university!), and two naughty furry familiars. She’s built a thriving book coaching business based on her values, her editing chops, and her knowledge of story. 

Julie’s stories have been published in Crow Toes Weekly, the Sirens Benefit Anthology Villains & Vengeance, and the speculative anthology Beyond the Latch and Lever. Subscribe to Julie’s weekly newsletter, Wyrd Words Weekly, or connect with her below:

Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Substack 

If you’d like to be notified about our monthly Phenomenal First Pages contest, subscribe to blog notifications in this sidebar. 

Good luck, everyone. We can’t wait to see who wins!

PS: To polish up your synopsis, check out this amazing post from Julie Artz.


Mindy Weiss

Mindy Alyse Weiss is a glitter-loving kid at heart and serves as WHW’s Administrator. When she’s not keeping things organized around here, she’s writing middle-grade novels, picture books, and mentoring writers through PBParty chats, draft challenges, and annual contests. (Mindy also does picture book critiques, too!) She is represented by Joyce Sweeney at The Seymour Agency.

2 Comments.

  • MINDY ALYSE WEISS
    November 22, 2024 4:11 am

    Thank you all for visiting Writers Helping Writers and entering our monthly contest. The five lucky winners of a synopsis critique from Julie Artz are…

    Greg Stine
    Milanka Reardon
    Fernanda Gassi
    Stephen Sandstrom
    Jessica Walters

    Huge congrats! I’ll e-mail you instructions for sending your synopsis for feedback.

  • this is amazing! thank you for the opportunity!!

Comments are closed.