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When we launched the inaugural ProWritingAid Novel Beginnings contest, we hoped it would inspire writers to take a bold step: to share the first 5,000 words of the story they’ve been dreaming of writing.
What happened exceeded anything we imagined.
Over the course of the submission period, 14,570 writers from around the world entrusted us with their stories.
They submitted literary novels and epic fantasies, mysteries and romances, speculative fiction and historical sagas. Some were lifelong writers polishing their tenth manuscript. Others were sharing their work for the very first time.
And every single submission represented the same courageous act: putting words on the page and allowing another human being to read them.
Selecting our longlist
Our team of readers spent weeks immersed in opening pages that introduced unforgettable characters, compelling worlds, and extraordinary voices.
From those 14,570 entries, we selected 183 longlisted authors. We will aim to announce our shortlist the week of May 18, 2026.
Join us for the live winner reveal
We’ll announce the winners during a special live event on June 5, 2026 in the ProWritingAid community.
This celebration will include:
The official winner reveal
Recognition of all finalists
Reflections on what made these entries stand out
Inspiration for writers working on their own novels
Whether you submitted to the contest or simply love great stories, we’d be thrilled to have you join us.
