First Chapter Writing Contest

2025 NETWO First Chapter Contest Rules

1. Entries must be submitted via online by Saturday, March 15, 2025 at midnight CST to Netwofirstchapter@gmail.com 
2. The combined word count of your synopsis and manuscript must not exceed 2,750 words.
3. Manuscripts must be original, unpublished, and not already accepted for publication. Novels that are based on previously published short stories are not eligible. Writers may submit multiple entries; separate entry forms and payment should accompany each submission. 
4. Awards will be presented April 05, 2025 at the annual conference. 
5. Entry Fee: $15.00.  Payment may be made via Paypal at netwowriters@gmail.com
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Arrangements for other payment options (such as check or cash) may be made with the contest coordinator. Checks may be mailed to NETWO P.O. Box 962, Mt. Pleasant, Texas 75455. 

Formatting Instructions for All Entries

Email entries to Jeanette McDermott
Netwofirstchapter@gmail.com

1. Entries must be typed and double-spaced. Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins.
2. Each story must have a separate cover sheet sent as a separate attachment containing only: 

• The name of the story
• The author’s name
• The author’s complete address
• The author’s telephone number
• The author’s email address
• Story word count

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3. The combined word count of your synopsis and manuscript must not exceed 2,750 words. (Yes, thisincludes titles, subtitles, and footnotes).
4. Please include a header with only title and page number.
5. Your synopsis should appear on the first page, before the opening pages of the manuscript. Judges will read the synopsis first. (Consider allocating approximately 250-300 words to the synopsis. However, you may submit a long synopsis and a shorter chapter entry. If the total combined word count of the synopsis and manuscript does not exceed 2,750 words, you’re fine.)
6. Your synopsis should include the title of your manuscript. Please put the title in all caps (LIKE THIS).
7. OPTIONAL Judge’s Note (does not count toward 2750 total):

• 100 words max
• Place at end of document in bold type with the words “Note to the judge” above it.
• These optional notes will NOT be taken into consideration by the contest judges and will not influence your score in any way. They are purely meant as an opportunity for you to ask a burning question to the judges who will critique your entry or give them some (brief) additional information about the piece.
• Notes to the judge are unnecessary unless you have a compelling reason to include them.
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8. Author’s name must not appear anywhere in the document.  

Failure to abide by the contest rules and formatting guidelines will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee. 

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If you have questions on any contest rules or formatting instructions (or anything else contest related), please reach out to the Contest Coordinator Jeanette McDermott at Netwofirstchapter@gmail.com 

Judges’ score sheets will be returned to the author.
Judges will remain anonymous.