FPC 2022: The Shortlist

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the First Page Challenge 2022. It was a lot of fun screening all the entries this year. So many great ideas floating around out there!

Eight entries in particular did a phenomenal job of grabbing my attention and making me eager for page two. One element always shines bright in those that make the shortlist: voice. An agent once told me that "voice is ineffable." Very true. There is no way to measure what imbues a narrator with a strong voice, but it's undeniable—an undertone of character that seeps out of the diction and syntax, the impression of a distinct person speaking directly from the page.

Here is the shortlist in no particular order:

• Eleanor Binnings
• Sandy Kundra
• Brittany Davis
• Louise Audrieth
• Amalie Wad
• J.A. Jablonski
• Lynda Williams
• Melissa Preston

A big congratulations to those shortlisted! I have forwarded their entries to Michelle Barker for the final round of judging. I'm always excited to find out who she picks.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Michelle usually makes her decision by mid-month. Once all the details are confirmed, I will post the winners on the Chopping Blog, and they will also appear in our next newsletter on Nov 1.