First 5 Pages FAQs

• Have you formatted your manuscript as shown in the Manuscript Formatting Example?
• Is your font 12 point?
• Is your font Courier New, Times New Roman, Garamond, Cambria or Book Antiqua?
• Do you have a margin of one inch on all sides?
• Is your entry double-spaced?
• Is your chapter title (i.e., Chapter One or Tuesday Morning) four double-spaces from the header? Have you started each new chapter on a separate page?
• Do ALL pages in your manuscript have a header in the same font as the body of the document with the title, category, total manuscript word count, and page number?
• Did you make sure your name, personal information, and/or pseudonym are NOT included in the header or anywhere on the manuscript?
• Did you include a 200-word, single-spaced blurb? The blurb can be indented paragraphs or block paragraphs with a space between paragraphs, and start one double space below the header.
• Is your entry 6 pages or less (1 page for blurb, 5 pages manuscript)?
• Is the blurb included in the file with your manuscript at the beginning of your entry, NOT in a separate file?

Absolutely! If you have never been published in accordance with the rules of Genesis, you are encouraged to enter Genesis. That is why we schedule the time between the two contests so that you will have time to make any changes/corrections/tweaks you feel are needed. If you are a published author, then you cannot enter Genesis as it is only for unpublished authors.

Yes, any part of the entry that has been published in any way makes that manuscript ineligible for entry and will be disqualified, and the entry fee will be forfeited.

The decision of category rests solely on the author of the work entered. Entrants whose manuscripts fall in this situation of being a multi-genre book will likely benefit more by entering their manuscript in the category that is most clearly reflected and represented in those first five pages. Reason being, the judges are going to be placed over categories in which 1. They most prefer to read and 2. They are most experienced in judging. Whichever genre comes through the strongest in your opening pages is the category you’ll probably want to enter it in.

That said, judges will be instructed not to mark down for entries that don’t appear to fit the genre entered, since the story’s true genre may not fully present itself until after the first five pages. No entry will be disqualified if we feel an entrant placed it in the “wrong” category, UNLESS a manuscript is entered that clearly goes against a Christian worldview. For example, since our contest is open to non-ACFW members, if an erotica manuscript is entered, it would obviously be disqualified.

The first five pages literally means the first five pages. Since the prologue opens the book, it is recommended that you begin your entry with that. However, you may enter the first five pages of your first chapter if you’re undecided about keeping your prologue and want feedback on the first chapter. The goal of First 5 is to give you feedback as to whether your book’s opening has what it takes to wow industry professionals and keep them reading. If your prologue is not engaging, readers (and likely editors and agents) won’t likely make it to your chapters.

No. One reason for contests for unpublished authors is to equip and prepare them for how to properly submit to traditional publishing houses. Part of this means submitting according to guidelines. If you submit more than five pages, then any pages beyond five will be deleted from your manuscript by the coordinator prior to sending the submission to judges.

That decision is up to you. Judges will be instructed not to detract points for entries that don’t end on a hook or that do not end in a logical place. That said, it is better to end your submission at the end of a strong “hooky” sentence, rather than leaving the judge hanging in the middle of a sentence.

Yes. The only restrictions are that the entry manuscript cannot be previously published or published prior to the contest end on December 15th of the year entered.

No, and congratulations! Our goal is to help you hone your work into something publishable. You will not be disqualified from the contest unless your entry is published before December 15th of the contest year.

Yes, as long as you enter a category in which you are not judging.

No. However, please list anyone within the writing community likely to be a judge of this contest who has already seen this work/entry.

We do not have a category for children’s books. There are other contests available, including the one run by the ACFW KidLit Chapter. Please check them out.

Yes, but the entry fee is higher. We would love to have you as a member. Please check this link for information on membership – https://acfw.com/acfw-membership/

For more information, contact the contest coordinator at firstfive@acfw.com