First Pages Critique

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The First Pages Critique has become one of the conference’s best-loved sessions. Agents and editors are swamped with submissions. How can your writing get their attention? Send YOUR first page to us and hear how some of the most critical readers in the publishing world react to your writing. Join in on the fun, submit your first page, and see if you’re chosen! All those in attendance will benefit from hearing the critiques, whether their first page is chosen or not.

The online panel will include three to four literary agents and a moderator. The chosen first pages, from varied genres, will be read aloud anonymously, and the panel will give on-the-spot feedback. Did the action start too early? Can the reader tell what genre or time period they’re in on page one? Learn from experts that can provide invaluable feedback you can apply to your work.

In 2021, First Pages will be hosted online with the rest of our conference, and we’re asking you to submit your first page digitally, ahead of time.

Send the first page of your manuscript as an attachment in .doc, .docx, or .pdf  format to  [email protected].  Before doing so, please be sure to review and follow the submission guidelines below.

Your submission must be received by midnight Sunday, September 19, 2021, ET.

Submission Guidelines

  • Include your name in the body of the email but not in your document. Keep it simple, a message like “See attached page. <your name>” is fine.
  • There is no fee.
  • One submission per attendee.
  • Authors must remain anonymous, so please do not include identifying information on your actual first page.
  • Submissions will be pre-selected to ensure variety. Authors will not be notified if their work will be read during the conference program.
  • Please use Arial or Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, black ink, double spaced, 25 lines/page maximum. All margins should be at least one inch.
  • Each submission should indicate the genre of the work in the upper right-hand corner of the page and the title centered. Do not include the author’s name.
  • Do NOT send more than the first page.
  • Do NOT include anything in your email that needs prompt attention, such as conference or membership questions. If you have questions, complete a Contact Us form and we’ll get back to you promptly.