The First Page Challenge

The First Page Challenge is an annual writing contest run by The Darling Axe, a Canadian editorial services company. The contest is open to writers of fiction, narrative nonfiction, short stories, and full-length manuscripts, and invites entrants to submit just the opening page of their work – the one that has to make a reader want to keep going.

Entries must be original, unpublished, and unrepresented work. Multiple submissions are accepted, each at the entry fee of $5 CAD. Judging is carried out by editor Michelle Barker, whose sole criterion is how compellingly the first page draws the reader in.

The top three finalists each receive cash prizes ($700, $200, and $100 CAD respectively), publication on The Darling Axe’s Chopping Blog, and a complimentary copy of one of the company’s craft books. An optional feedback add-on is also available for an additional $45 CAD, providing brief notes from the contest screeners, a score out of five, and relevant craft resources delivered after winners are announced.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

FAQ
If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.