2026 StoryCon Adult First Chapter Contest
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Welcome to the First Chapter Contest for adults. Make sure you're registered for StoryCon before submitting to this contest. You can enter more than once!
Since we have a teen first chapter contest, entrants for this contest must be aged 20 or older.
First Chapter Contest: All participants will receive feedback from our judges. Entry fee starts at $29.00. First, second, and third place winners will be announced at the StoryCon award ceremony and receive a commemorative award along with a mystery gift. Entries will be judged on the following: character development, vividness of setting, quality of pacing, overall clarity, and the uniqueness of voice.
- Early entry submissions are due January 1st. Late entry submissions will be accepted until midnight on February 1st at an additional fee. No exceptions.
Rules and Guidelines
*If you do not follow these guidelines, your work will automatically be disqualified.
- All work should be original and unpublished and must not be something you submitted for our First Chapter Contest in years past. Posting your work to a blog or website does not classify it as being published.
- No partner or team entries will be allowed.
- Entries must be double-spaced with one inch margins in 12 pt. Times New Roman or Arial Font.
- Entry is limited to 2,000 words. It is okay if your first chapter is less than 2,000 words. However, sending any more than 2,000 words of your first chapter will disqualify you from the contest.
- Pages must be numbered.
- Entries must be in English.
- Changes can’t be made to the entry after you have submitted it. Please proofread and double-check your work before submission.
- Do not include your name or any other identifying information in or on any of the pages you submit.
- Any entries received after the contest deadline will not be considered.
- Family of any member of the Operation Literacy team is not eligible to participate.
- For questions or clarifications, email heatherbmoore@operationliteracy.org