The First Page Challenge

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 FUll Details

you want a reader to buy your book or an agent to offer you representation, then it only makes sense to have a stunning first page. That's what the First Page Challenge is all about—we're open to fiction or narrative nonfiction, short stories or full-length manuscripts. 

Our judge, Michelle Barker, will be asking herself one question:
how likely am I to turn this page and keep reading?

First place: $700 CAD
Second place: $200 CAD
Third place: $100 CAD

All three finalists win publication on the Chopping Blog
and receive complimentary access to one of our craft books.

The Finer Points

• Entry is $5 CAD
• One page: double-spaced, 12-point font
• Multiple submissions accepted
• Original, unpublished, unrepresented work only
• Once you've paid, send your docx/pdf to editors@darlingaxe.com
• Submission deadline: September 30

Check out the 2025 winner here.
And the 2024 winner here.
And the 2023 winner here.
And the 2022 winner here.
And the 2021 winner here.
And the 2020 winner here. 
And the 2019 winner here.

 

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