The Editors’ Choice Semifinalists in the First Page Cage Match

Top Four in the Cage!

We are delighted to announce the Editors’ Choice Semifinalists in the First Page Cage Match! This contest is our way of recreating the experience of a live-action slush reading. It’s also a little window into the ins and outs of finding a home for your work.

Here’s what’s happened so far:

The Pulp Lit editors selected the eight entries for the First Page Cage Match that enticed us enough to want to read more. These eight quarter-finalist authors then sent along the first ten pages (2500 words) of their manuscripts.

The stories below are the four ten-page entries (of the eight quarter-finalists) that most made at least two of the three of us want to read more. And, in the true spirit of live-action slush, here’s a peek into the minds of three editors:

The semi-finalists:

Frost by Adam Fout

Mel thought the setup was good, with the harbinger present, and found the last-chance theme clear. At this point she’s hoping to see Axel make something happen very soon. Jen got to the end of the first ten pages, but wasn’t sure how many more one-sentence paragraphs she would be up for.

C U by Marie Powell

Mel liked that the general tone was fluent, with a conflict set up right from the start. She also found it very readable in a way that draws the reader in right from the start. Gen wasn’t sure about the narrator’s interior dialogue, but wanted to see more of where the author takes things.

The Pansy Paradox by Charity Tahmaseb

Gen was intrigued and curious about where the story would go. Jen hoped that the opener might get to the magical a little bit faster, but definitely wanted to read more.

The Year We Got Away by Nikita Andester

Mel enjoyed the tone, but wondered if it might be better suited to a short story. Jen was totally intrigued by the footnotes.

Stay tuned to the blog to discover which of these advanced to the finals, announced later this month!

Thank you to all who entered! And a deep bow to these four brave souls, who joined the live-action slush!

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