{"id":588071,"date":"2023-06-19T15:18:28","date_gmt":"2023-06-19T14:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/?page_id=588071"},"modified":"2026-11-04T16:22:28","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T16:22:28","slug":"first-500-novel-competition","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/first-500-novel-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"First 500 Novel Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<section class=\"course-hero  alignfull\" id=\"\">\r\n    <div class=\"course-hero-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"background-image\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=1920\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Shelves-blurred-hero-1.png')\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t        <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n            <div class=\"course-hero-text\" style=\"background-color: #1f4c75\">\r\n                <div class=\"audience\"><i class='bx bxs-user'><\/i>\u00a310 entry free (or free for Premium Members)<\/div>                <div class=\"title-price\">\r\n                    <h1>Our Flagship First 500 Novel Competition is open for entries!<\/h1>                                    <\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"description\">Our writing competitions have launched the careers of some of today&#8217;s best loved novelists. Could you be next?<\/div>                <div class=\"details-button\">\r\n                    <div class=\"details\">\r\n                        <div class=\"detail\"><i class='bx bxs-calendar'><\/i>Open for entries<\/div>                        <div class=\"detail\"><i class='bx bxs-time-five'><\/i>Deadline: Midnight (GMT), 30 November 2026<\/div>                                            <\/div>\r\n                                            <div class=\"cta-container\">\r\n                            <a class=\"cta-btn has-background\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\" href=\"#enter\" target=\"\"><span>Enter Now<\/span><span class=\"sr-only\">Enter First 500 competition<\/span><\/a>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n\n\n<style>\r\n    section.alternating-blocks .alternating-blocks-container .alt-block-container .alt-block-media .video-embed-container .video-embed-wrapper:has(.video-embed--local) {\r\n        padding-top: 0;\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"alternating-blocks  alignfull\" id=\"\"\r\n>\r\n    <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n                    <div class=\"alternating-blocks-container\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"alt-block-container text-60\" >\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-media\">\r\n                                                            <div class=\"alt-block-img\">\r\n                                                                            <img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/First-500-logo-About-Us-page.jpg\" alt=\"Jericho Writers' First 500 competition logo\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\">\r\n                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-text-container\">\r\n                            <div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n                                <h2>Have you got a novel opening that will grab readers?<\/h2>                                <div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Then we want to read it! Enter our competition and your first 500 words could change your writing career.<\/p>\n<p>What do you need? Just the beginning of a work of fiction or narrative non-fiction &#8211; the start of a story that could go on to captivate readers, agents, and publishers alike.<\/p>\n<p>Eight finalists, chosen by our judges, will read their piece in a live online event on 17 December at 7pm GMT in front of a panel of literary agents and publishers.<\/p>\n<p>One winner, chosen by the audience, will receive over \u00a34,000 worth of prizes.<\/p>\n<p>No experience needed. Just great writing!<\/p>\n<\/div>                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"alt-block-container text-60\" >\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-media\">\r\n                                                            <div class=\"alt-block-img\">\r\n                                                                            <img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Finalists-picture-first-500.png\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"918\" height=\"600\">\r\n                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-text-container\">\r\n                            <div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n                                <h2>What we&#8217;re looking for<\/h2>                                <div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>We\u2019re looking for openings that grab us from the very first line and make us want more! You can enter any genre (including memoir, non-fiction, or children&#8217;s) &#8211; as long as it\u2019s your opening 500 words.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A winning entry includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hint of plot &#8211; Even in 500 words, show a story taking shape to spark curiosity.<\/li>\n<li>Quality of writing &#8211; We\u2019re looking for writing that flows well, is easy to read, and makes an impression.<\/li>\n<li>Voice and characters &#8211; Bring characters to life and let your unique voice shine.<\/li>\n<li>Captivating opening &#8211; Hook us from the first lines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>You will also have to opportunity to upgrade and get 250 words of feedback on your first 500 words. This upgrade is limited to 50 entries and will be available to purchase on the entry submission page.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>                            <\/div>\r\n                                                            <div class=\"cta-container\">\r\n                                    <a class=\"cta-btn has-background\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\" href=\"#enter\" target=\"\"><span>Enter Now<\/span><span class=\"sr-only\">Enter the First 500 competition<\/span><\/a>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    $(document).ready(function(){\r\n        $('.video-embed-wrapper .video-cover-image').on('click', function(){\r\n            url = $(this).siblings('iframe').attr('src');\r\n            if(url.indexOf(\"?\") >= 0){\r\n                url = url + '&autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0';\r\n            } else{\r\n                url = url + '?autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0';\r\n            }\r\n            $(this).siblings('iframe').attr('src', url);\r\n            $(this).fadeOut(200);\r\n        })\r\n    })\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"editorial-services-block  alignfull\" id=\"\">\r\n\t<div class=\"content-container\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"editorial-services-container  text-left\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>The Winner&#039;s Prize<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>The overall winner will\u00a0 receive an incredible package to kickstart their writing journey<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"services-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Editorial-Feedback.jpg\" alt=\"A professional edit\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-tag has-background has-thriller-background-color\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-text\">Worth up to<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price\">\u00a31,700<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>A professional edit<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Receive a full structural manuscript assessment from a professional book editor to give your work the best chance of success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Writing-Courses.jpg\" alt=\"A fully funded place on a short tutored course\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-tag has-background has-thriller-background-color\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-text\">Worth up to<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price\">\u00a31,500<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>A fully funded place on a short tutored course<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Get intensive expert feedback and support with a fully-funded place on selected shorter tutored writing courses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Courses-Web-Image-1.png\" alt=\"Man at Computer\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-tag has-background has-thriller-background-color\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-text\">Worth<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price\">\u00a3150<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>One year of Premium Membership<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Never write alone again: Get access to live writing workshops, feedback opportunities, monthly literary agent Q&amp;As and more<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Agent-121-phone-call.png\" alt=\"A phone call with a literary agent\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-tag has-background has-thriller-background-color\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-text\">Worth<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price\">\u00a370<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>A phone call with a literary agent<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Perfect your submission pack with personalised feedback from a literary agent via a 15-minute phone call.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/NovelFactory.png\" alt=\"A lifetime licence for The Novel Factory\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-tag has-background has-thriller-background-color\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-text\">Worth<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price\">$649<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>A lifetime licence for The Novel Factory<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Get the ultimate writing companion. This novel-writing software helps you plan, organise and write your novel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gatekeeper-Press-1.png\" alt=\"Publishing credit towards Gatekeeper Press\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-tag has-background has-thriller-background-color\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price-text\">Worth<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"price\">$1,000<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Publishing credit towards Gatekeeper Press<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Win a $1,000 USD credit (equal to roughly \u00a3750) toward any Gatekeeper Press publishing package.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n\tjQuery(function($) {\r\n\t\tjQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n\t\t\tvar editorial_slider_left = $('section.editorial-services-block .text-left .editorial-slider');\r\n\t\t\teditorial_slider_left.each(function () {\r\n\t\t\t\t$(this).slick({\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslide: '.service-container',\r\n\t\t\t\t\tinfinite: true,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tspeed: 300,\r\n\t\t\t\t\trows: 0,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 3,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslidesToScroll: 1,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tprevArrow: $(this).siblings('.slider-arrows').find('.slider-prev'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\tnextArrow: $(this).siblings('.slider-arrows').find('.slider-next'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\tresponsive: [\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t{\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbreakpoint: 1200,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 2,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t{\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbreakpoint: 767,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 1,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinfinite: false\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\t\t]\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t\t\tvar editorial_slider_top = $('section.editorial-services-block .text-top .editorial-slider');\r\n\t\t\teditorial_slider_top.each(function () {\r\n\t\t\t\t$(this).slick({\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslide: '.service-container',\r\n\t\t\t\t\tinfinite: true,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tspeed: 300,\r\n\t\t\t\t\trows: 0,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 4,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslidesToScroll: 1,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tprevArrow: $(this).siblings('.slider-arrows').find('.slider-prev'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\tnextArrow: $(this).siblings('.slider-arrows').find('.slider-next'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\tresponsive: [\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t{\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbreakpoint: 1200,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 2,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t{\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbreakpoint: 767,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 1,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinfinite: false\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\t\t]\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t})\r\n\t})\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\r\n<div\r\n\tid=\"section-header-block_9932b471d20058a3ff2e41bac3af63f0\"\r\n\tclass=\"section-header alignfull section-header--centered section-header--top-margin\"\r\n>\r\n  <h2 class=\"section-header__header jw-heading-font\" style=\"color: #21334a\">Runner-up Prizes<\/h2>\r\n  <div class=\"section-header__hr\" style=\"background-color: #e82027\"><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"section-header__text\" style=\"color: #5F6060\"><p>Even if you don&#8217;t take the top spot, being a finalist comes with fantastic rewards to celebrate your achievement. You&#8217;ll get official recognition as a finalist, expert feedback from our literary agent judging panel, plus one year of a standard annual license for The Novel Factory (worth $220).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\n\n\r\n<div class=\"jericho-button-container\">\r\n            <div class=\"cta-container\">\r\n            <a class=\"cta-btn has-background\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d;\" href=\"#enter\" target=\"\"><span>Enter now<\/span><\/a>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\n\n\r\n<section class=\"tutors-block  alignfull\" id=\"\">\r\n    <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n            <div class=\"text-container\">\r\n                <h2>First 500 Novel Writing Competition Judges<\/h2>                            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        \r\n            <div class=\"tutors-slider-container\">\r\n                <div class=\"slider-arrow slider-prev\">\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/themes\/jw3.0-live\/resources\/assets\/images\/svg\/arrow-left-blue.svg\" alt=\"Previous\">\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"tutors-slider-wrapper\">\r\n                    <div class=\"tutors-slider\">\r\n                                                    <div class=\"tutor-slide\">\r\n                                <div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"tutor-top\">\r\n                                                                                    <div class=\"tutor-image\">\r\n                                                <img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=300\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LFOW-25-Website-HeadshotsProfile-Pics-8-1.jpg\" alt=\"John Baker\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                                                                                <h3>John Baker<\/h3>                                        <p class=\"position\">Literary Agent &bull; Peters Fraser + Dunlop<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"tutor-sections\">\r\n                                        <ul class=\"tutor-sections-nav\">\r\n                                            <li data-section=\"bio\" class=\"active\">Bio<\/li>                                                                                                                                                                            <\/ul>\r\n                                        <div class=\"tutor-sections-container\">\r\n                                            <div data-section=\"bio\" class=\"wysiwyg-container active\"><p>John Baker is a genre fiction agent, specialising in fantasy, science fiction, horror and commercial crime and thriller for adult and YA readers.<\/p>\n<p>During his career, John\u2019s authors have won the Future Worlds Prize, the Imagined Futures Prize, been shortlisted for the Bradford Bose Prize, the Jhalak Prize, the Fab Prize, the BFSA, the BFA, the Shirley Jackson Awards, the Stoker Awards, have been featured on the Sunday Times &amp; USA Today Bestseller Charts and have been adapted for global cinematic release by Oscar-winning collaborators.<\/p>\n<\/div>                                                                                                                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"tutor-ctas\">\r\n                                                                                                        <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"tutor-slide\">\r\n                                <div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"tutor-top\">\r\n                                                                                    <div class=\"tutor-image\">\r\n                                                <img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=300\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LFOW-25-Website-HeadshotsProfile-Pics-12-1.jpg\" alt=\"Laura Williams\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                                                                                <h3>Laura Williams<\/h3>                                        <p class=\"position\">Literary Agent &bull; Greene &#038; Heaton<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"tutor-sections\">\r\n                                        <ul class=\"tutor-sections-nav\">\r\n                                            <li data-section=\"bio\" class=\"active\">Bio<\/li>                                                                                                                                                                            <\/ul>\r\n                                        <div class=\"tutor-sections-container\">\r\n                                            <div data-section=\"bio\" class=\"wysiwyg-container active\"><p>Laura has been working in publishing since 2011 and represents a broad list of adult fiction, as well as select children\u2019s fiction and adult non-fiction. She reads widely across literary, upmarket and book club fiction, including historical, romance, gothic, horror, thriller, and mystery, and she also has experience handling contemporary young adult and middle grade fiction. In non-fiction, she looks for memoir and narrative non-fiction, with a particular interest in books on mental health, untold stories, and true crime.<\/p>\n<\/div>                                                                                                                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"tutor-ctas\">\r\n                                                                                                        <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"tutor-slide\">\r\n                                <div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"tutor-top\">\r\n                                                                                    <div class=\"tutor-image\">\r\n                                                <img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=300\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Jon-Curzon-1.png\" alt=\"Jon Curzon\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                                                                                <h3>Jon Curzon<\/h3>                                        <p class=\"position\">Literary Agent &bull; Selby Howard<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"tutor-sections\">\r\n                                        <ul class=\"tutor-sections-nav\">\r\n                                            <li data-section=\"bio\" class=\"active\">Bio<\/li>                                                                                                                                                                            <\/ul>\r\n                                        <div class=\"tutor-sections-container\">\r\n                                            <div data-section=\"bio\" class=\"wysiwyg-container active\"><p>Jon represents literary fiction and non-fiction titles that start conversations and spark ideas. From debut fiction, memoir and nature writing to science, history and biography, his emphasis is always towards writers whose work is intelligent and original. His authors &#8211; including Ondaatje and Laurel Prize-winning Pascale Petit, Kyra Wilder, Emily Wells, Alice Maddicott, Adam Sharp, McKitterick Prize-winning Anietie Isong &#8211; have been published in the UK, US, Germany, France, India, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain and elsewhere; they have been reviewed and featured in the Guardian, The New York Times, The Telegraph, The Times, the TLS, The New Yorker, and on Channel 4 News. Jon also freelance edits for clients including Jericho Writers and Curtis Brown Creative.<\/p>\n<\/div>                                                                                                                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"tutor-ctas\">\r\n                                                                                                        <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"tutor-slide\">\r\n                                <div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"tutor-top\">\r\n                                                                                    <div class=\"tutor-image\">\r\n                                                <img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=300\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Victoria-Pepe-photo-768x768.png\" alt=\"Victoria Pepe\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                                                                                <h3>Victoria Pepe<\/h3>                                        <p class=\"position\">Publishing Director &bull; Simon and Schuster<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                    <div class=\"tutor-sections\">\r\n                                        <ul class=\"tutor-sections-nav\">\r\n                                            <li data-section=\"bio\" class=\"active\">Bio<\/li>                                                                                                                                                                            <\/ul>\r\n                                        <div class=\"tutor-sections-container\">\r\n                                            <div data-section=\"bio\" class=\"wysiwyg-container active\"><p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Victoria Pepe has worked in publishing for almost twenty years, first at Little, Brown Book Group, and most recently at Amazon Publishing, where she publishes bestselling authors such as Amanda Prowse, Imogen Clark, T.E. Kinsey, and Andy Maslen. She\u2019s also been a literary scout, working with publishers across the world, and has taught a creative writing course for commercial fiction.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>                                                                                                                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"tutor-ctas\">\r\n                                                                                                        <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"slider-arrow slider-next\">\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/themes\/jw3.0-live\/resources\/assets\/images\/svg\/arrow-right-blue.svg\" alt=\"Next\">\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    jQuery(function($) {\r\n        jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n            var tutors_slider = $('section.tutors-block .tutors-slider');\r\n            tutors_slider.each(function () {\r\n                $(this).slick({\r\n                    slide: '.tutor-slide',\r\n                    infinite: true,\r\n                    speed: 300,\r\n                    rows: 0,\r\n                    slidesToShow: 3,\r\n                    slidesToScroll: 1,\r\n                    prevArrow: $(this).parent().siblings('.slider-prev'),\r\n                    nextArrow: $(this).parent().siblings('.slider-next'),\r\n                    responsive: [\r\n                        {\r\n                        breakpoint: 1200,\r\n                        settings: {\r\n                            slidesToShow: 2,\r\n                        }\r\n                        },\r\n                        {\r\n                        breakpoint: 767,\r\n                        settings: {\r\n                            slidesToShow: 1,\r\n                            infinite: false\r\n                        }\r\n                        },\r\n                    ]\r\n                });\r\n                $(this).on({\r\n                    mouseenter: function () {\r\n                        $(this).slick('slickPause');\r\n                    },\r\n                    mouseleave: function () {\r\n                        $(this).slick('slickPlay');\r\n                    }\r\n                });\r\n            });\r\n\r\n            var books_slider = $('section.tutors-block .tutors-slider .books .books-slider');\r\n            books_slider.each(function () {\r\n                $(this).slick({\r\n                    slide: 'img',\r\n                    infinite: false,\r\n                    speed: 300,\r\n                    rows: 0,\r\n                    draggable: false,\r\n                    slidesToShow: 1,\r\n                    slidesToScroll: 1,\r\n                    variableWidth: true,\r\n                    prevArrow: $(this).parent().siblings('.slider-prev'),\r\n                    nextArrow: $(this).parent().siblings('.slider-next'),\r\n                });\r\n            });\r\n\r\n            var profile_section = $('section.tutors-block .tutors-slider .tutor-slide .tutor-sections-nav li');\r\n            profile_section.each(function () {\r\n                $(this).on('click', function(){\r\n                    section = $(this).attr('data-section');\r\n                    $(this).siblings().removeClass('active');\r\n                    $(this).addClass('active');\r\n                    $(this).parent().siblings('.tutor-sections-container').children('div').removeClass('active');\r\n                    $(this).parent().siblings('.tutor-sections-container').children('div[data-section=\"' + section + '\"]').addClass('active');\r\n                });\r\n            });\r\n        })\r\n    })\r\n<\/script>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\r\n<div\r\n\tid=\"section-header-block_a724102930103176aea6960c06f4334c\"\r\n\tclass=\"section-header alignfull section-header--centered section-header--top-margin\"\r\n>\r\n  <h2 class=\"section-header__header jw-heading-font\" style=\"color: #21334a\">The Judging Process<\/h2>\r\n  <div class=\"section-header__hr\" style=\"background-color: #e82027\"><\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"section-header__text\" style=\"color: #194a45\"><p data-start=\"91\" data-end=\"268\">All entries are anonymised and first read by the Jericho Writers team. If you\u2019re new to us, you can meet our wonderful team of writers and passionate readers <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/jericho-writers\/about-us\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"459\">Each entry is read by two reader judges on the team and scored out of 10, taking into account the quality of the writing, how your plot is shaping up, and how captivating your opening is.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"459\">Once we\u2019ve narrowed it down to a shortlist of 16 writers, these entries are passed on to our external judging panel to select the 8 finalists who will read in the live online final. Finalists will be contact on 9 December 2026.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"459\">Even if you don&#8217;t make the final, we&#8217;ll be announcing the 16 shortlisted entries during the event, as well as providing you with a shiny digital badge to show-off on social media.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\n\n<style>\r\n    section.alternating-blocks .alternating-blocks-container .alt-block-container .alt-block-media .video-embed-container .video-embed-wrapper:has(.video-embed--local) {\r\n        padding-top: 0;\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"alternating-blocks  alignfull\" id=\"\"\r\n>\r\n    <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n                    <div class=\"alternating-blocks-container\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"alt-block-container text-60\" >\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-media\">\r\n                                                            <div class=\"alt-block-img\">\r\n                                                                            <img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/First-500-2025-Social-graphics-1-819x1024.png\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\">\r\n                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-text-container\">\r\n                            <div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n                                <h2>How to enter<\/h2>                                <div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>1.\u00a0 Entry is open to all Premium Members of Jericho Writers or those who have purchased an entry. If your Premium Membership expires during the competition period you must either renew your membership or purchase an entry to remain eligible.<\/p>\n<p>2.\u00a0 The deadline for entry is 23:59 on Monday 30 November, 2026. Late entries will not be considered.<\/p>\n<p>3.\u00a0 To give a chance to new writers, finalists from last year are not eligible. Those currently represented by an agent or with an active traditional publishing deal are also ineligible so as to leave this opportunity for those who need it most.<\/p>\n<p>4.\u00a0 You must be available to attend the live online event at 7:00pm GMT on 17 December, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>5.\u00a0 All entries must be your own unpublished work. To maintain fairness and uphold creative integrity, no AI-generated or AI-written work may be submitted. All submissions must represent the writer\u2019s own original work.<\/p>\n<p>6.\u00a0 Once you&#8217;ve purchased your Premium Membership or entry, you will be emailed a link to the competition entry page. If you already have an active Premium Membership, use the button below to go directly to the entry page.<\/p>\n<p>7.\u00a0 Use the form on the entry page to upload your 500 words (to the nearest sentence end) in a word document or PDF. Do not include your name, as judging is done anonymously. You will also be able to upgrade to receive editorial feedback on your 500 words on the entry page, should you wish to do so.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    $(document).ready(function(){\r\n        $('.video-embed-wrapper .video-cover-image').on('click', function(){\r\n            url = $(this).siblings('iframe').attr('src');\r\n            if(url.indexOf(\"?\") >= 0){\r\n                url = url + '&autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0';\r\n            } else{\r\n                url = url + '?autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0';\r\n            }\r\n            $(this).siblings('iframe').attr('src', url);\r\n            $(this).fadeOut(200);\r\n        })\r\n    })\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n\n<style>\r\n    section.alternating-blocks .alternating-blocks-container .alt-block-container .alt-block-media .video-embed-container .video-embed-wrapper:has(.video-embed--local) {\r\n        padding-top: 0;\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"alternating-blocks  alignfull\" id=\"\"\r\n>\r\n    <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n                    <div class=\"alternating-blocks-container\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"alt-block-container text-60\" >\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-media\">\r\n                                                            <div class=\"alt-block-img\">\r\n                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-text-container\">\r\n                            <div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n                                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    $(document).ready(function(){\r\n        $('.video-embed-wrapper .video-cover-image').on('click', function(){\r\n            url = $(this).siblings('iframe').attr('src');\r\n            if(url.indexOf(\"?\") >= 0){\r\n                url = url + '&autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0';\r\n            } else{\r\n                url = url + '?autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0';\r\n            }\r\n            $(this).siblings('iframe').attr('src', url);\r\n            $(this).fadeOut(200);\r\n        })\r\n    })\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"scrolllocation\"><strong>Premium Members you will need to log in first in order to enter the competition for free.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n<div id=\"enter\" class=\"join-us-v2 alignfull\">\r\n\t<div class='select_currency'>\r\n\t\t<label>Please select your required currency<\/label>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"widget_wc_aelia_currencyswitcher_widget currency_selector\">\n\t\t<!-- Currency Switcher v. 5.3.1.260226 - Currency Selector Widget (dropdown) -->\n\t<form method=\"post\" class=\"currency_switch_form\">\n\t\t<select class=\"aelia_cs_currencies\" name=\"aelia_cs_currency\" aria-label=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"GBP\"  selected='selected'>GBP<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"AUD\" >AUD<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"CAD\" >CAD<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"EUR\" >EUR<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"NZD\" >NZD<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"USD\" >USD<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/select>\n\t\t<noscript><button type=\"submit\" class=\"button change_currency\">Change Currency<\/button><\/noscript>\t<\/form>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\"join_cards_holder block-context-course\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"join_flex\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Buy a First 500 entry<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price\"><span class=\"currency\">\u00a3<\/span><span class=\"price\">10.00<\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price_message\">Entry only &#8211; no membership benefits<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"product_description\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Not quite ready to join as a member but still want to enter the competition? You can purchase a one-off entry here.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>1x entry to First 500<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Access to our live online event<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Non-refundable<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>No additional membership benefits<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cta\" href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/?add-to-cart=1014392\">Buy entry<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"join_yearly_monthly black_friday\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"box_label\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<h3>OUR LOWEST PRICE EVER | THIS NOVEMBER ONLY<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"yearly_div\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Premium Annual: Pay Upfront<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"colmns_holder\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"column first_column\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sale_price\"><span class=\"currency\">\u00a3<\/span><span class=\"price\">150.00<\/span> <span class=\"percent_off\">30% OFF!<\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price\"><span class=\"currency\">\u00a3<\/span><span class=\"price\">105.00<\/span><span class=\"price_slash\">\/<\/span><span class=\"time_frame\">year<\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price_message\">Pay for the year upfront and get 2 months free<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"time_switcher\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"switch_year active\">Pay-upfront<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"switch_month\">Pay monthly<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"product_description\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Our most popular membership plan, get unlimited access to all our content &amp; tools with a one-year subscription.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cta\" href=\"https:\/\/myjericho.jerichowriters.com\/checkout\/?plan=23291\">JOIN US<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"column\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Free entry to First 500, our career-changing novel competition<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>8+ live online events every month, including agent Q&#038;As<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Annual query letter review<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Unlimited access to AgentMatch, our database of 1,400+ literary agents<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Weekly writing sprints, prompts and peer feedback<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Monthly &#8216;Critique Club&#8217; with opportunities for personalised feedback<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>13 self-paced writing courses<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>300+ workshop and Q&#038;A replays<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Exclusive discounts on editorial services &#038; tutored courses<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"monthly_div\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Premium Annual: Pay Monthly<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"colmns_holder\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"column first_column\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sale_price\"><span class=\"currency\">\u00a3<\/span><span class=\"price\">15.00<\/span><span class=\"price_slash\">\/<\/span><span class=\"time_frame\">month<\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price\"><span class=\"currency\">\u00a3<\/span><span class=\"price\">10.50<\/span><span class=\"price_slash\">\/<\/span><span class=\"time_frame\">month<\/span><\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"price_message\">One-year recurring subscription paid in 12 monthly instalments of \u00a315<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"time_switcher\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"switch_year\">Pay-upfront<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"switch_month active\">Pay monthly<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"product_description\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Our most popular membership plan, get unlimited access to all our content &amp; tools with a one-year subscription.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cta\" href=\"https:\/\/myjericho.jerichowriters.com\/checkout\/?plan=23290\">JOIN US<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"column\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Free entry to First 500, our career-changing novel competition<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>8+ live online events every month, including agent Q&#038;As<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Annual query letter review<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Unlimited access to AgentMatch, our database of 1,400+ literary agents<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Weekly writing sprints, prompts and peer feedback<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Monthly \u2018Critique Club\u2019 with opportunities for personalised feedback<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>13 self-paced writing courses<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>300+ workshop and Q&#038;A replays<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>Exclusive discounts on editorial services &#038; tutored courses<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/script>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"ENTERNOW500\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\r\n<div\r\n\tid=\"enter\"\r\n\tclass=\"section-header alignfull section-header--centered section-header--top-margin\"\r\n>\r\n  <h2 class=\"section-header__header jw-heading-font\" style=\"color: #21334a\">Tips for entering the First 500 Competition<\/h2>\r\n  <div class=\"section-header__hr\" style=\"background-color: #e82027\"><\/div>\r\n      <p class=\"section-header__text\" style=\"color: #5F6060\"><\/p>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion has-icon-left\" data-active-element=\"none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header-title\"><strong>Premium Members<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__icon is-active\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__icon is-passive\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a Premium Member you get free entry to First 500. Simply click the button which says \u2018Already a Premium Member? Enter for free here to be taken to the submission page. If you are a Premium Member and you cannot see this button, please double check that you are logged in.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header-title\"><strong>Paid <\/strong>entry<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__icon is-active\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__icon is-passive\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once your payment has been completed, you will receive a confirmation email which contains your submission link. Please note that it may take up to 15 minutes for this email to reach your inbox. It\u2019s also worth checking your spam just in case, before reaching out to our Writer Support team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header-title\">What to include<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__icon is-active\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__icon is-passive\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you are on the submission form, you will be asked to complete the following details:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Name, email address (which should be the same email connected with your Premium Membership or paid entry), phone number, book title, primary and secondary genre, and information about any trigger warnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your submission document should be PDF or DOC\/DOCX, and should include your first 500 words. Font size should be 12 with 1.5 or double spacing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__header-title\">How to make your 500 words stand out<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__icon is-active\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__icon is-passive\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-accordion__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want your first 500 words to stand out? Start as close to the action as you can and give your reader an immediate reason to keep going, whether that\u2019s an intriguing question, an unusual situation, a distinctive character or simply a brilliant voice. Avoid spending too long explaining backstory or setting the scene: let us discover the world naturally as something is actually happening. Make your character want something, even if it\u2019s something small, so there\u2019s already a sense of movement or tension. And don\u2019t forget the basics: read your entry aloud, cut anything that feels slow or unnecessary, and pay particular attention to your very first and very last lines. You don\u2019t need to cram an entire plot into 500 words. You just need to make the judges desperate to read word 501.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:15%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"editorial-services-block  alignfull\" id=\"\">\r\n\t<div class=\"content-container\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"editorial-services-container  text-left\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Special thanks to our sponsors<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>We\u2019re incredibly grateful to our Bronze Sponsors for supporting this competition and helping make it possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"services-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/AMENDTroubador-logo-500x400px-1.png\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/LFOW25-Sponsor-logos_festival-page-7.png\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"service-image\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gatekeeper-Press-1.png\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n\tjQuery(function($) {\r\n\t\tjQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n\t\t\tvar editorial_slider_left = $('section.editorial-services-block .text-left .editorial-slider');\r\n\t\t\teditorial_slider_left.each(function () {\r\n\t\t\t\t$(this).slick({\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslide: '.service-container',\r\n\t\t\t\t\tinfinite: true,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tspeed: 300,\r\n\t\t\t\t\trows: 0,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 3,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslidesToScroll: 1,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tprevArrow: $(this).siblings('.slider-arrows').find('.slider-prev'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\tnextArrow: $(this).siblings('.slider-arrows').find('.slider-next'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\tresponsive: [\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t{\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbreakpoint: 1200,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 2,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t{\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbreakpoint: 767,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 1,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinfinite: false\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\t\t]\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t\t\tvar editorial_slider_top = $('section.editorial-services-block .text-top .editorial-slider');\r\n\t\t\teditorial_slider_top.each(function () {\r\n\t\t\t\t$(this).slick({\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslide: '.service-container',\r\n\t\t\t\t\tinfinite: true,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tspeed: 300,\r\n\t\t\t\t\trows: 0,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 4,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tslidesToScroll: 1,\r\n\t\t\t\t\tprevArrow: $(this).siblings('.slider-arrows').find('.slider-prev'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\tnextArrow: $(this).siblings('.slider-arrows').find('.slider-next'),\r\n\t\t\t\t\tresponsive: [\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t{\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbreakpoint: 1200,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 2,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t{\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbreakpoint: 767,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsettings: {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tslidesToShow: 1,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinfinite: false\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\t\t]\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t})\r\n\t})\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:75px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"testimonials-slider-block  alignfull\" id=\"\">\r\n    <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n            <div class=\"text-container\">\r\n                <h2>From first words to the finale stage<\/h2>                <div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Last year, over 2,000 writers entered the First 500 Novel Competition and our finalists truly shone.<br \/>\nHear directly from previous finalists about their experience, what they learned, and how far those first 500 words have taken them.<\/p>\n<\/div>            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        \r\n            <div class=\"testimonials-slider-container\">\r\n                <div class=\"slider-arrow slider-prev\">\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/themes\/jw3.0-live\/resources\/assets\/images\/svg\/arrow-left-blue.svg\" alt=\"Previous\">\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"testimonials-slider-wrapper\">\r\n                    <div class=\"testimonials-slider\">\r\n                                                    <div class=\"testimonial-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-text\">\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-top\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-bottom\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <p class=\"testimonial-quote\">&#8220;If, like me, you doubt yourself, distrust your ability with words, but have an important story to tell, then do enter this writing competition. Take this important test, and add another badge to your resume.&#8221;<\/p>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-author\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\">\r\n                                                                            <div class=\"author-image\">\r\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Afoma-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Afoma A. Mbanefo\">\r\n                                        <\/div>\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"author-details\">\r\n                                        <p class=\"author-name\">Afoma A. Mbanefo<\/p>                                        <p class=\"author-title\">2025 First 500 Winner<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"testimonial-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-text\">\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-top\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-bottom\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <p class=\"testimonial-quote\">&#8220;Winning the prize was such lovely validation of my writing, and has definitely boosted my confidence when I&#8217;ve been wavering through the difficult bits of finishing a novel.&#8221;<\/p>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-author\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\">\r\n                                                                            <div class=\"author-image\">\r\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/StephanieTorrance-1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Stephanie Torrance\">\r\n                                        <\/div>\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"author-details\">\r\n                                        <p class=\"author-name\">Stephanie Torrance<\/p>                                        <p class=\"author-title\">2024 First 500 Winner<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"testimonial-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-text\">\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-top\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-bottom\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <p class=\"testimonial-quote\">&#8220;As scary as it was, to read the opening to my peers live really made your competition stand out. It helped me believe there is an audience for working-class fiction about working-class lives.&#8221;<\/p>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-author\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\">\r\n                                                                            <div class=\"author-image\">\r\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Author-Portrait-Mike-Murray-1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Mike Murray\">\r\n                                        <\/div>\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"author-details\">\r\n                                        <p class=\"author-name\">Mike Murray<\/p>                                        <p class=\"author-title\">2024 First 500 Finalist<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"testimonial-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-text\">\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-top\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-bottom\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <p class=\"testimonial-quote\"> Being a finalist gave me the confidence boost I needed to go on and finish my draft, and I&#8217;m hoping to start querying next year. This achievement will be proudly listed in my query letter. If you have 500 words ready to go, then definitely enter! <\/p>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-author\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\">\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"author-details\">\r\n                                        <p class=\"author-name\">Annabelle D<\/p>                                        <p class=\"author-title\">2025 First 500 Finalist<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"testimonial-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-text\">\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-top\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-bottom\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <p class=\"testimonial-quote\">&#8220;It gave me the confidence boost I needed to finish my book. Getting live feedback with the agents was incredibly valuable. I found the experience fantastic. As a member, the competition is included which is a great benefit.&#8221;<\/p>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-author\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\">\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"author-details\">\r\n                                        <p class=\"author-name\">Ruth G<\/p>                                        <p class=\"author-title\">2025 First 500 Finalist<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"testimonial-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-text\">\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-top\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-bottom\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <p class=\"testimonial-quote\">&#8220;It was an incredible platform for me as a debut writer. I received incredible feed back from the industry experts. The support and avenues that have since opened up has been incredible, none of that would have happened had I not taken that leap and entered.&#8221;<\/p>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-author\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\">\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"author-details\">\r\n                                        <p class=\"author-name\">Denny J<\/p>                                        <p class=\"author-title\">2025 First 500 Finalist<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"testimonial-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-text\">\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-top\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-bottom\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <p class=\"testimonial-quote\">&#8220;When I got the email saying I had made it to the finals, I squealed like a piglet. My words actually meant something to someone. And now, my query letter stands out and my bio has added credibility.&#8221;<\/p>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-author\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\">\r\n                                                                            <div class=\"author-image\">\r\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/first-500-promo-social-posts-1-150x150.png\" alt=\"Kelly Jackson\">\r\n                                        <\/div>\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"author-details\">\r\n                                        <p class=\"author-name\">Kelly Jackson<\/p>                                        <p class=\"author-title\">2024 First 500 Finalist<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <div class=\"testimonial-slide\">\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-text\">\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-top\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"131.831\" height=\"99.287\" viewBox=\"0 0 131.831 99.287\" class=\"quote-bottom\">\r\n                                        <g id=\"Group_51\" data-name=\"Group 51\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n                                                d=\"M433.193,127.456A32.876,32.876,0,0,0,407.5,139.8a64.156,64.156,0,0,1,52.124-42.246l-.442-3.467a67.679,67.679,0,0,0-58.634,62.02,32.941,32.941,0,1,0,32.645-28.65Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-334.32 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                            <path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n                                                d=\"M392.447,127.456A32.879,32.879,0,0,0,366.754,139.8,64.158,64.158,0,0,1,418.88,97.554l-.442-3.467A67.68,67.68,0,0,0,359.8,156.109a32.942,32.942,0,1,0,32.645-28.652Z\"\r\n                                                transform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#ee2a7b\"\/>\r\n                                        <\/g>\r\n                                    <\/svg>\r\n                                    <p class=\"testimonial-quote\">&#8220;To read my work out alongside other talented, supportive writers felt like a big honour, and to receive feedback from the agents and other authors was really special.&#8221; <\/p>                                <\/div>\r\n                                <div class=\"testimonial-slide-author\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\">\r\n                                                                        <div class=\"author-details\">\r\n                                        <p class=\"author-name\">Richard Martin<\/p>                                        <p class=\"author-title\">2024 First 500 Finalist<\/p>                                    <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                                            <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <div class=\"slider-arrow slider-next\">\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/themes\/jw3.0-live\/resources\/assets\/images\/svg\/arrow-right-blue.svg\" alt=\"Next\">\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    jQuery(function($) {\r\n        jQuery(document).ready(function(){\r\n            var testimonials_slider = $('section.testimonials-slider-block .testimonials-slider');\r\n            testimonials_slider.each(function () {\r\n                $(this).slick({\r\n                    slide: '.testimonial-slide',\r\n                    infinite: true,\r\n                    speed: 300,\r\n                    rows: 0,\r\n                    slidesToShow: 3,\r\n                    slidesToScroll: 1,\r\n                    prevArrow: $(this).parent().siblings('.slider-prev'),\r\n                    nextArrow: $(this).parent().siblings('.slider-next'),\r\n                    responsive: [\r\n                        {\r\n                        breakpoint: 1200,\r\n                        settings: {\r\n                            slidesToShow: 2,\r\n                        }\r\n                        },\r\n                        {\r\n                        breakpoint: 767,\r\n                        settings: {\r\n                            slidesToShow: 1,\r\n                            infinite: false\r\n                        }\r\n                        },\r\n                    ]\r\n                });\r\n            });\r\n        })\r\n    })\r\n<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<style>\r\n    section.alternating-blocks .alternating-blocks-container .alt-block-container .alt-block-media .video-embed-container .video-embed-wrapper:has(.video-embed--local) {\r\n        padding-top: 0;\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"alternating-blocks  alignfull\" id=\"\"\r\n>\r\n    <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n                    <div class=\"alternating-blocks-container\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"alt-block-container text-60\" >\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-media\">\r\n                                                            <div class=\"video-embed-container\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"video-embed-wrapper\">\r\n                                        <iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1148011088?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>                                                                            <\/div>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-text-container\">\r\n                            <div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n                                <h2>Relive the 2025 Live Final<\/h2>                                <div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Come and watch last year&#8217;s finalists wow us with their first 500 words and find out the style of feedback our agents and publishers give.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s well worth the watch if you want the inside scoop on the type of writing that excites us and makes us vote &#8216;yes!&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>                            <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    $(document).ready(function(){\r\n        $('.video-embed-wrapper .video-cover-image').on('click', function(){\r\n            url = $(this).siblings('iframe').attr('src');\r\n            if(url.indexOf(\"?\") >= 0){\r\n                url = url + '&autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0';\r\n            } else{\r\n                url = url + '?autoplay=1&loop=1&autopause=0';\r\n            }\r\n            $(this).siblings('iframe').attr('src', url);\r\n            $(this).fadeOut(200);\r\n        })\r\n    })\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<style>\r\n    section.alternating-blocks .alternating-blocks-container .alt-block-container .alt-block-media .video-embed-container .video-embed-wrapper:has(.video-embed--local) {\r\n        padding-top: 0;\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"alternating-blocks  alignfull\" id=\"\"\r\n>\r\n    <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n                    <div class=\"alternating-blocks-container\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"alt-block-container text-60\" >\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-media\">\r\n                                                            <div class=\"alt-block-img\">\r\n                                                                            <img src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=scale-down,quality=80,format=auto,width=720\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Tutor-Photos-Content-Block-720-x-475-1.png\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"475\">\r\n                                                                    <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                        <div class=\"alt-block-text-container\">\r\n                            <div class=\"block-title-text-container\">\r\n                                <h2>Hear from a previous winner!<\/h2>                                <div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>We also have a very inspiring success story from Stephanie Torrance, the First 500 winner of 2024 to spur you on.<\/p>\n<p>Stephanie shares how entering the competition gave her confidence, structure, and a major boost in her writing journey. Her story is a brilliant reminder that sometimes, all it takes is 500 words to change everything.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s make this the month your writing really takes off.<\/p>\n<\/div>                            <\/div>\r\n                                                            <div class=\"cta-container\">\r\n                                    <a class=\"cta-btn has-background\" style=\"background-color: #f7941d\" href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/why-entering-the-first-500-novel-competition-might-be-the-best-thing-you-do-this-year\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span>Find out more<\/span><\/a>\r\n                                <\/div>\r\n                                                    <\/div>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    $(document).ready(function(){\r\n        $('.video-embed-wrapper .video-cover-image').on('click', function(){\r\n            url = 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class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:20%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div\r\n\tid=\"faqs\"\r\n\tclass=\"faqs alignfull\"\r\n\tstyle=\"background-color: #1F4C75;\"\r\n>\r\n\t<div class=\"faqs__quotes\">\r\n\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"faqs__quote faqs__quote--left\" width=\"79.693\" height=\"60.02\" viewBox=\"0 0 79.693 60.02\" alt=\"Quotation Mark\">\r\n\t\t\t<g id=\"Group_450\" data-name=\"Group 450\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\td=\"M420.159,114.259a19.873,19.873,0,0,0-15.532,7.462,38.783,38.783,0,0,1,31.509-25.538l-.267-2.1a40.912,40.912,0,0,0-35.445,37.492,19.913,19.913,0,1,0,19.734-17.319Z\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttransform=\"translate(-360.389 -94.087)\" fill=\"#f7941d\"\/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\td=\"M379.413,114.259a19.875,19.875,0,0,0-15.532,7.462,38.784,38.784,0,0,1,31.51-25.538l-.267-2.1a40.913,40.913,0,0,0-35.446,37.493,19.914,19.914,0,1,0,19.734-17.32Z\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttransform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#f7941d\"\/>\r\n\t\t\t<\/g>\r\n\t\t<\/svg>\r\n\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"faqs__quote faqs__quote--right\" width=\"79.693\" height=\"60.02\" viewBox=\"0 0 79.693 60.02\" alt=\"Quotation Mark\">\r\n\t\t\t<g id=\"Group_450\" data-name=\"Group 450\" style=\"isolation: isolate\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<path id=\"Path_34\" data-name=\"Path 34\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\td=\"M420.159,114.259a19.873,19.873,0,0,0-15.532,7.462,38.783,38.783,0,0,1,31.509-25.538l-.267-2.1a40.912,40.912,0,0,0-35.445,37.492,19.913,19.913,0,1,0,19.734-17.319Z\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttransform=\"translate(-360.389 -94.087)\" fill=\"#f7941d\"\/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<path id=\"Path_35\" data-name=\"Path 35\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\td=\"M379.413,114.259a19.875,19.875,0,0,0-15.532,7.462,38.784,38.784,0,0,1,31.51-25.538l-.267-2.1a40.913,40.913,0,0,0-35.446,37.493,19.914,19.914,0,1,0,19.734-17.32Z\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttransform=\"translate(-359.49 -94.087)\" fill=\"#f7941d\"\/>\r\n\t\t\t<\/g>\r\n\t\t<\/svg>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"faqs__wrapper\">\r\n\t\t<h2 class=\"faqs__header jw-heading-font\" style=\"color: #ffffff\">Frequently asked<br\/>questions<\/h2>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"hr hr--centered hr--secondary\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>1<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">My Premium Membership ends before the competition closes &#8211; can I still enter \/ be shortlisted etc?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No. You must be an active Premium Member at the time of the live final on 17 December, or have purchased a \u00a310 entry. If your membership expires before the final and you have not purchased a \u00a310 entry, you will no longer be eligible, even if you&#8217;ve been shortlisted. \u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>2<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">Do you accept AI generated entries?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No, we ask that all entries to the First 500 competition are human-authored.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>3<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">I paid for my entry but haven\u2019t received my submission link via email.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It may take up to 15 minutes for your confirmation email, with the submission link, to reach your inbox. It\u2019s also worth checking your spam just in case, before reaching out to our Writer Support team.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>4<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">What should my entry include?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Your submission should consist of the first 500 words of your manuscript (to the nearest sentence end). <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>5<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">\u00a0I bought a \u00a310\u00a0entry, but\u00a0have since joined as a member. Can I get my \u00a310 back?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yes. As long as the\u00a014 day\u00a0refund window has passed, we can refund you the \u00a310 entry. You must have an active membership at the time of the live final or you will be disqualified.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>6<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">Will I get feedback on my entry?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You will only receive feedback if you\u00a0purchase\u00a0the feedback upgrade. If you do, you will receive 250 words of\u00a0written feedback\u00a0from the Jericho Writers team.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>7<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">I\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0got a finished manuscript. Does this matter?\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No, we want to champion writers with strong openings, whether they\u2019re only a few chapters in or at the stage of querying a fully polished manuscript. However, bear in mind that if you&#8217;re chosen as a finalist or our winner, you will need to claim any prizes within their respective validity periods.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>8<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">Who is eligible to enter First 500?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We encourage everyone to enter the First 500 Novel Competition, no matter your background or where you are in the world. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>However, if you already have an agent or are traditionally published at the time of entry, we ask that you leave this opportunity for those who could most benefit from it.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This also includes any writer who has a contract with a traditional publisher but their book has yet to be published. If you have been previously self-published you are eligible. If you have previously been represented by an agent but are no longer represented, you are eligible for entry.&nbsp;Please check the rules section for the full details.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>9<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">How does the judging process work?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The Jericho Writers team will judge all entries anonymously, reading the 500 words only with no identifiers. Each entry is read by two reader judges on the team and scored out of 10, taking into account the quality of the writing, how your plot is shaping up, and how captivating your opening is. Once we\u2019ve narrowed it down to a shortlist of 16 writers, these entries are passed on to our external judging panel to select the 8 finalists.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Here&#8217;s what we&#8217;re looking for in a winning entry:<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Hint of plot \u2013 Even in 500 words, show a story taking shape. Introduce conflict or tension to spark curiosity without giving everything away.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Quality of writing \u2013 We\u2019re looking for writing that flows well, is easy to read, and makes an impression. Clear, confident storytelling will stand out.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Voice and characters \u2013 Bring characters to life and let your unique voice shine. Originality and personality help your story stand out.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Captivating opening \u2013 Hook us from the first lines. Whether through a twist, a scene, or your voice, make readers eager to turn the page.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>At our live final, the audience will vote on their favourite finalist entry via a live poll, which will decide our winner.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>10<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">What are the benefits to joining as a member instead of paying for entry?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Joining as a member not only gains you access to this and other competitions, but you will also gain instant access to 280+ hours of masterclasses, our AgentMatch database, video courses for writers, opportunities for feedback from the Jericho Writers team and our monthly live online writing events. \u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>11<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">When are the key dates for the First 500 Novel Competition?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The competition opens for entries Sunday 1 November, 2026.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The competition closes at 23:59 GMT Monday 30 November, 2026.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The finalists will be contacted on Wednesday 9 December, 2026.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>The live finale will be held at 19:00 GMT Thursday 17 December, 2026.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>12<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">Can I enter with a memoir \/ non fiction\/ etc etc?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yes, we will accept entries from all genres including memoir, non-fiction and children\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>13<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">Does it have to be from the opening of my novel?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yes, it should be your opening 500 words. If you have a prologue, it should be the first 500 words of that prologue. When it comes to prologues, we always advise that if it\u2019s not strong enough to enter into a competition and you\u2019d rather enter Chapter One, you should consider whether you need the prologue at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>14<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">What format should my entry be?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>500 words (to the nearest sentence end) in an easy-to-read font such as Times New Roman, ideally double spaced. You can submit either a Word document or a PDF. \u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>15<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">How do I make my entry stand out?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Premium Members can access our Opening Pages Resource Pack via the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/resource-downloads\/the-jericho-writers-vault\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jericho Writers Vault<\/a> and we also have plenty of free articles available in our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/jericho-writers\/about-us\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Also, watch the replay of last years final (on this page), for an idea of what has wowed us previously!<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>16<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">I want to enter but can\u2019t afford the entry fee. What can I do?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We try to make everything we do as accessible as possible but totally understand that for some people, paying to enter a competition isn\u2019t financially viable. If this is the case for you, please get in touch at <a href=\"mailto:info@jerichowriters.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">info@jerichowriters.com<\/a> and we will try our best to make things work.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>17<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">I am terrified of speaking on camera, help!\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>We\u2019ll invite you to a practice session before the live event so you can get familiar with the tech. However, if this still sounds scary, you can submit a pre-recorded video or a member of the Jericho Writers\u2019 team can read your work on your behalf. \u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>18<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">Will agents and publishers be in attendance?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yes. Three agents and one publisher will join the panel at the live final. Although they don\u2019t choose the winner (that\u2019s up to the audience) they will give feedback on each finalist&#8217;s entry! It\u2019s a great chance to get your work heard by industry experts and hear their feedback.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>19<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">Can I enter the First 500 Novel Competition if I was shortlisted\/a finalist for last year&#8217;s First 500?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>You can enter First 500 if you have previously entered or been shortlisted before, however, if you were a finalist last year you will not be eligible to enter this year to allow the opportunity to other writers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--number\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>20<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"faqs__faq--content\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstyle=\"color: #ffffff\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"color: #ffffff\">Can I enter the First 500 Novel Competition if I was shortlisted\/a finalist for Friday Night Live?\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Yes \u2013 You can enter the First 500 Novel Competition even if you entered or placed in the Friday Night Live competition at the London Festival of Writing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n<style>\n\/*four column product card*\/\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__header {\n    padding: 0 4%!Important;\n}\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__products {\n\tgap:0!important;\n\tflex-wrap: wrap;\n\tpadding:50px 0 0 0!important;\n}\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__products__product {\n\tbackground: #ffffff;\n\tpadding: 0px;\n\twidth: 20%!important;\n\tmargin-left: 4%;\n\tmargin-bottom:5%;\n\tpadding-bottom:20px;\n\tposition: relative;\n\tdisplay: flex;\n\tflex-direction: column;\n\tflex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__products__product:last-child {\n\tmargin-right: 4%;\n}\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__products__product__header {\n\tdisplay: flex;\n\tflex-direction: column;\n\tjustify-content: center;\n\tbackground-color:rgb(31, 76, 117);\n}\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__products__product__body {\n\tflex: 1;\n\tdisplay: flex;\n\tflex-direction: column;\n\tjustify-content: space-between;\n}\n @media only screen and (max-width: 1220px) {\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__products__product {\n width: 44%!important;\n}\n}\n@media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__products {\n justify-content: left!important;\n}\n}\n@media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {\n.four-product-row .product-cards-v2__wrapper__products__product {\n width: 92%!important;\n}\n}\n\/*hero banner*\/\n.hero-banner{\n   padding-bottom:20px!important;\n}\n.hero-banner .hero-image__title{\n   text-shadow: 0px 0px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.8); 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