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The First Page Cage

A project of PULP Literature (see other related projects).

About

Long form fiction writers, this contest is for you! Send us the first two pages of your novel, novella, or novelette. The most enticing eight entries will be published on the website with judges’ comments. These authors will be invited to submit their first ten pages and synopses to the cage match. From these eight, four semi-finalist entries will be sent judges’ comments on their first ten pages, and will be invited to submit thirty pages). Each of the two finalists will receive editorial critiques of their first thirty pages, and will be invited to submit their full manuscripts. The author of the winning manuscript will receive [a cash prize], an editorial review, and a synopsis critique.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions, except for fee waivers available in cases of financial hardship.
The fee range is CAD $20 to $40 (average to above average for contests).
Want more insight into the affiliated editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s) of PULP Literature.

Country of Publication

Canada

Publication Medium & Contest Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication
Unknown contest frequency

AI Policy

Human-created work only; no AI use allowed

Fiction Open Fee-based

Dates:

Open to fiction submissions through 15 September 2026* (approx. 6 days from now).

1

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Novel Excerpt: Up to 500 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: CAD $300 for winner.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Unknown.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Multiple entries: Unknown.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.
* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment.

The First Page Cage Submission Statistics

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.

Filter:
Accuracy
We have received 2 reports from 2 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.

Other Information

The most common submission fee paid: CAD $30.00.
Most recent response reported was received on 25 Oct 2025.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 13 Sep 2025.
Date compiled: 09 Sep 2026 20:25 UTC (4 hours, 24 minutes ago).

Work submitted here was also submitted to...

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Your Submissions

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The Bumblebee Flash Fiction Contest  Charges fees for all submissions
The Hummingbird Flash Fiction Prize  Charges fees for all submissions
The Kingfisher Poetry Prize  Charges fees for all submissions
The Magpie Award for Poetry  Charges fees for all submissions
PULP Literature
The Raven Short Story Contest  Charges fees for all submissions

Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

  • Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
  • Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
  • Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
  • Be professional, patient, and persistent.

Dates

Last Updated: 19 Aug 2026

We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.

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