We are so excited to open registration for our 2025 Writing Away Refuge First Chapter Consult and Contest. Every submitted first chapter will be read by an industry professional on the Writing Away staff. We will help you with that all-important hook sentence and advise on how to make your book's first impression as strong as possible. Every entry receives a written consult on their first chapter.

​

The Top Ten submitted first chapters will be recognized, and our 2nd place winner will receive $250. Our 1st place winning chapter will receive $500.

​

The cost to enter our First Chapter Consult & Contest is $29.95.

​​

​

​

Submission Guidelines:

Please keep chapter a reasonable word count, usually 3K words or less. If it is a little longer,

it is acceptable.

Please have it as a Word Document.

Double spaced and Times New Roman, 12-point font is preferred.

​

Deadline for submissions is July 15th, 2025. The winners and finalists will be announced at our live retreat in the fall. Winners not present will be contacted via email when announcement is made.

 

Your first chapter should be emailed to:

​

leeannward@writingawayrefuge.com

​

Good Luck!

​

2024 First Chapter Contest Winner and Top 10 Finalists