Bardsy is looking for first chapters that grab our attention from the start. Craft a satisfying experience that produces a compelling chapter, immersing us in the world of your story, and you could win anthology publication and $50, or even the $1,000 grand prize!

Submit an original first chapter between 1,500 and 2,500 words. All qualified entrants will receive professional feedback from our editing team before judging, so the earlier you submit, the more time you have to revise. Submit your revision for judging.

No matter the length of your story, a solid start is essential. A successful story grabs readers’ attention with an irresistible hook and doesn’t let go.

Prerequisites: An original, first chapter part of a larger novel. The first chapter should be limited to 1,500-2,500 words. Entrants must be 18 . English language only.

Grand Prize: $1,000 and anthology publication. Finalist Prize: All finalists will receive $50 and anthology publication.

We are keen to encourage quality, so suggest writers to check their stories before submitting using Prowritingaid. They have free and paid versions and are the best writing software we know to help improve grammar, readability and check for repetition, ‘sticky’ sentences and suggest alternatives.