Competition Rules: SWF First 5 Pages Prize 2024

                                                                 There is a $20 fee to enter.

What can I submit and when?

Opening day is Monday, January 1.

Closing day is Thursday, March 14.

Submit the first five pages of your unpublished novel, book or novella. Entries must be in English.

Longlist and Shortlist entries will be notified and announced on the SWF website.

We love all genres so we encourage you to submit romance, mystery, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, commercial, literary, historical, or a new genre that defies categorization. Ultimately we’re looking for beautiful writing.

What are the prizes?

• There will be one Grand Prize Winner chosen from all entries.
• The prize package includes: $1,000 A free ticket to SWF23 August 23-25, and related events.
• Two nights in a downtown Stockholm boutique hotel.
• A pitch meeting with a relevant agent.
• Developmental editing of your manuscript courtesy of Reedsy.

We will also choose a 2nd and 3rd Prize Winner and two Honorable Mentions.

2nd and 3rd Prize Winners will receive a ticket to SWF23 and related events as well as a meeting with a relevant agent.

Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for substitution.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• The SWF First 5 Pages Prize is open to anyone over 16 years of age.
• Entries must be entirely the work of the entrant and must never have been published in any format.
• You may enter as many times as you like with different submissions. (Don't submit multiple copies of the same document.)
• You may not enter if you are a writer with agented representation.
• Writers who are not currently agented may enter (even if previously represented by an agent).
• You cannot enter if you are related to, or in a personal relationship with, a member of the SWF Board of Directors or any judge of the Prize.

How do I submit?

Entries must be the first five pages of your book, novel or novella.

Entries should be double-spaced, in Baskerville or Times New Roman, 12 pt font, with numbered pages.

The title of your book should appear as a header or footer on each page of your entry.

All submissions are made through Submittable.

No name, address or identifying information should appear on the document.

So, this will be accepted: “HarryPotter.pdf,” or “GrapesofWrath.doc.” These, however, will be disqualified: “TheGrapesofWrathJSteinbeck.doc,” or, “Harry_Potter_Rowling.pdf”.

Who judges the Prize?

First round judging will be done by the Stockholm Writers Festival with final judging conducted by a guest from our faculty for 2024. Their decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into.

When will winners be announced?

Longlist and Shortlist entries will be notified in late spring of 2024 and also announced on our website and in our newsletter.

Entry implies acceptance of all the rules. Failure to comply with the entry requirements will result in disqualification.