The Gibson Prize
for Christian Fiction
2026
First Page Competition
Christian fiction, any genre, any writer. Submit the first page of chapter one of your novel-in-progress, and become eligible for cash prizes & shoutouts from @gibson.stephaniejulia.
Review ALL guidelines below before applying.
All entries are read & reviewed by a panel of selected judges.
Entry fee: $15
Early Bird entry fee (deadline January 31) : $10
​Contest closes March 15, 2026
Why the Gibson Prize?
Christian Contests Supporting Christian Authors
Writing Contests are an amazing way to grow skills and receive feedback for unpublished manuscripts. However, while the secular world has an abundance of competitions for unpublished novels, such contests are scarcer in Christian spheres.
The vision of The Gibson Prize is to grow more contests to encourage and equip Christian Authors. By entering, you make this vision possible.
Accessible entry. Worthwhile Prizes. Kingdom Minded.
Awards
Growing Prize Purse!
Prizes: A minimum of $150 will be awarded, with $100 going to the first place winner and $50 to the second place winner. For every entry over 50, an additional $5 will be added to the total prize money.
Explanation of Prize structure:
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1st Prize:
$100 + $3 for every entry over 50
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2nd Prize:
$50 + $2 for every entry over 50
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First Place
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$100 guaranteed cash prize
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Judge feedback
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Developmental edit of your first chapter from Impact Fiction Editing.
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Featured interview + Name, Title of Work, and social media handles posted to stephaniejuliagibson.com and @gibson.stephaniejulia Instagram and Facebook
Second Place
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$50 cash prize guaranteed
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Judge feedback
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Developmental edit of your first chapter from Impact Fiction Editing
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Interview + Name, Title of Work, and social media handles posted to stephaniejuliagibson.com and @gibson.stephaniejulia Instagram and Facebook
Honorable Mentions
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Top 20 entries will receive Judge feedback​
Elegibility Requirements
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Entrants MUST be 18 years or older
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Entries MUST be written in English, but may be translated
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Entries MUST be suitable for the Christian marketplace.
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Any AI-generated or AI-assisted work will NOT be considered
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While entrants may be previously published, the submitted entry MUST be from an unpublished & unrepresented work
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Submission fees must be completed, and all formatting guidelines followed. Failure to comply will result in ineligibility, and the entry fee will not be refunded.
FAQ
Who can Enter? Any US-based published or unpublished author is welcome to enter an unpublished/unagented work suitable for the Christian market.
My book has a prologue. Should I submit my prologue first page, or the first page of Chapter One? You are welcome to enter whichever you feel is a stronger representation of your talent as a writer. Submit one or the other, not both.
What is the deadline for submitting? Early Bird submission window ends on January 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST. Regular Submission window ends March 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST.
What are the fees for applying? Early Bird Submission fee (apply before January 31, 2026 at 11:59pm) is $10 per submission. After that, the Regular Submission fee is $15 per submission. These costs allow me to offer cash prizes & provide future contest opportunities.
What kinds of work can I submit? Any genre or style of fiction (excluding non-fiction and poetry) suitable for the Christian marketplace is accepted.
I don't live in the United States of America, Can I still apply? No. Currently, the Gibson Prize is only open to authors in the United States or Canada.
I plan on publishing my work soon. Does this disqualify me from entering? If your work is unpublished and unrepresented at the time of submission, you may enter it to the contest.
Is my entry suitable for the Christian Market? Entries written from a Christian worldview and free of explicit sexual content, graphic violence, or anti-christian themes are a good fit for The Gibson Prize.
Who will be judging the contest? Each entry will be read and accessed by at least two readers. The final round of the contest will be judged by four respected and acclaimed members of the literary community.
When will the results be announced? Winners and other participants will be notified via email in late April or early May.