Gutsy Great Novelist

This annual prize aims to find the best first page of a novel-in-progress written in the English language. First Prize: $1,000; Second Prize: $500; Third Prize: $250.

Entrants must not be personal friends with or family members of the judge. Writers with whom the judge has worked either in classes or one-on-one are eligible; because the entries are reviewed blind, the judge will not see the writers’ identities until her selections are final.

Entries (or drafts of entries) that have won 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in any other competition are not eligible, although those that were given finalist or honorable mention status in any other competition are eligible. 

Previous Page One Prize winners (those who won cash–1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize) must wait two years before submitting again. 

Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize

Please read contest details carefully before submitting.

Please submit only the complete first page of chapter one of your novel-in-progress. This should be the first page of the first chapter, not the first page of a prologue or introduction. It's fine if your page ends mid-paragraph or mid-sentence. There is no word count. 

Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize

Additional info

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