The First Page Challenge is a contest for writers who are shoulder-deep in a new manuscript. Our contest screener and judge will be asking themselves one question: how likely am I to turn this page and keep reading?

Each entry contributes to the prize. In our last contest, the prize pool grew to $535.

Finalists in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place also win publication on the Chopping Blog.

Contest rules:

1. Stories must not exceed one page—12-point standard font, double spaced, and with unaltered margins (put your title in the header to save space)
2. Only original, unpublished, unrepresented work may be submitted
3. One entry per person
4. Judging is anonymous: submission should not include entrant’s name or contact information