Critique2026-09-22

First-page read: why an agent stops in three minutes

When to use it

Before a contest or submission. No praise; only the point where a reader stops.

Fill in the variables

First page{{manuscript}}Intended genre and tone{{intended}}

Assembled prompt

547

Read the first page (about 400 words) of the manuscript below as a contest judge.
Output:
1) Quote the first sentence that makes you want to stop, and why in one sentence.
2) The genre and tone this page promises, in one line. If it differs from the author's intent ([Intended genre and tone]), say where they diverged.
3) Three sentences that could be deleted (quoted).
4) The single best sentence on the page (quoted), and whether it could be the opening line.
Rules: no praise except item 4. Diagnose; do not rewrite.

[Manuscript]
[First page]

The instruction exceeds 500 characters; the free run applies only the beginning. Copying applies the whole prompt.

Free runs use the fast model and return a short preview (about 300 words). Only the first ~1,000 words of manuscript are read.

How to use this prompt

1
Fill in the variables
Enter your manuscript, characters or situation in the fields below. The example values are hints.
2
Check the assembled prompt
The prompt is assembled below with placeholders filled. Edit any rule to fit your work.
3
Copy it or run it
Copy it into the tool you already use, or run it in SparkLore for a short preview.
4
Revise the result into your manuscript
The output is a draft. Follow the tips and rewrite half of it by hand.

How to get the most from it

Moving the best sentence to the top is actually right for about half of manuscripts. Try it.
If the stopping sentence is exposition, cut it; if it is an invented proper noun, push it later. That fixes most cases.

Web novel
Twelve-point self-check for web novel chapter one
Before posting chapter one. An editor's read when you do not have an editor.

Use it in the studio with your story bible

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