First Pages Prize

There are presently no open calls for submissions.

Submissions Open March 1, 2024

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FIRST PAGES PRIZE

The 2024 Prize supports emerging writers in BOTH Fiction and Creative Nonfiction. Three winners in each category will receive US $9,000 total in cash awards, developmental mentoring to support the completion of their manuscript, and an agent consultation

Cash awards are as follows: 1st US $2,000, 2nd US $1,500, 3rd US $1000

Open to un-agented writers worldwide, the First Pages Prize invites you to enter your first five pages (1250 words) of a longer work of fiction or creative nonfiction.

Full guidelines and terms & conditions are on our website. Prepare your pages and in the meanwhile, join our mailing list for updates.

2024 JUDGE 

FICTION & CREATIVE NONFICTION -  EDWIDGE DANTICAT

KEY INFO

  • Submit the first pages (maximum 1,250 words) of a longer work of fiction or creative non-fiction.
  • Double space your pages and kindly use Times New Roman 12-point font.
  • No alteration may be made once your entry is submitted.
  • Your full name must not appear on your document (do check your header and footer) to ensure judging anonymity. You must be currently un-agented to enter and your entry must not be previously published, even on a blog or Wattpad.
  • You must submit the work using your name, not a pen name. A pen name may be used when announcing your win, if requested.


SUBMISSION DATES

Entries open: March 1, 2024

Entries close: April 10, 2024 at 23:59 p.m. Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Extended entry deadline: April 24, 2024 at 23:59 p.m. Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Please check a time zone converter to avoid disappointment and inability to enter, e.g.: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com


ENTRY FEES

The fee per entry is US $20.

The fee per entry for the extended deadline is US $35.

Entry fees for submissions that fail to observe submission guidelines cannot be refunded.


MORE ABOUT ENTRIES

Simultaneous submissions are possible, however, if your entry wins 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in another competition -- or if you gain representation with a literary agent -- you must withdraw from the First Pages Prize by emailing info@firstpagesprize.com. Your entry fee will be refunded (minus processing + transaction fees). 

Entries (or drafts of entries) that have already won 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in another competition are not eligible to enter.

Entries (or drafts of entries) that previously entered the First Pages Prize and did not place 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th ARE eligible to enter.

By entering this competition, each entrant agrees to the full competition guidelines, terms and conditions: https://www.firstpagesprize.com/guidelines-and-termsconditions

Please remember to read the full guidelines and terms & conditions before entering. Any dispute arising out of or related to participation in the First Pages Prize shall be resolved amicably, or, if not possible, before the federal or state courts located in Miami-Dade County, Florida to the exclusion of all others. The First Pages Prize, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization established pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida, USA.


HOW TO ENTER

1) Click the “Enter Now” button below.

2) Click “create account and continue” to create a Submittable account or log in if you are already a member.

3) Fill in the form. Please be assured that any information you enter about yourself on the form is not seen by the reviewers or judge. All entries are blinded. Reviewers ONLY see your story's TITLE and its GENRE (fiction or creative nonfiction). Your full name must not appear in your story's title.

4) Enter payment details by credit / debit card or PayPal.

5) Upload your pages as one file..PDF, .DOCX, .RTF, .ODT, .DOC, and .TXT files are accepted.

6) Click "Submit"

7) You will see a screen that says, “submission successfully submitted” and receive an email acknowledging receipt of your entry. You will be directed to join our mailing list, please consider joining if you haven't already, to hear the latest first.

We look forward to reading your work. 

Winners will be notified Summer 2024.

First Pages Prize