First Chapter Contest: Win a Full Manuscript Critique

PAID PROMOTION

This is not a Globe Soup competition. If you have any questions regarding this contest, please contact the competition organisers!

Off Topic Publishing’s Novel and Memoir - First Chapter Contest!

Deadline: February 10, 2026

You’ve written a novel or memoir! Yay!

Why not submit your first chapter to the First Chapter Contest from Off Topic Publishing? Even the longlisters win prizes!

All genres of fiction and memoir are welcome. This contest is open internationally.

Prizes:

First-Place Winner in each category (Novel or Memoir) will receive:

• A Full Manuscript Critique from our founding editor and contest judge, Marion Lougheed (valued at $1200)

• $100 CAD

• One free ticket to the Off Topic Writers’ Conference (valued at $120)

Shortlisters will receive:

• One free ticket to the Off Topic Writers’ Conference (valued at $120)

• 40% off one manuscript critique or developmental edit on any project

Longlisters will receive:

• One free ticket to the Off Topic Writers’ Conference (valued at $120)

• 25% off one manuscript critique or developmental edit on any project

Submission Fee: $25 CAD

Unpublished or Self-Published Works Only.

What to submit:

• 1 Full First Chapter (or Prologue, or Prologue + First Chapter) or first 2500 words, whichever is shorter. The 2500-word limit has a leeway of 100 words over the maximum, if needed for logic or story clarity.

Your novel or memoir does not need to be finished at the time of submission. It must be complete by the time the winner is announced to receive the manuscript critique.