This 4th edition of Pulp Idol – Firsts continues the tradition of quality that we've come to expect from our winning writers. Sharp, witty, intelligent, intriguing, compelling, chilling and utterly readable; here you will find writing that will challenge and excite, and most importantly, make you want to read more. The work published here are the first chapters from the ten finalists of our Pulp Idol novel writing competition held during the Writing on the Wall Festival in May 2013. Pulp Idol gives a platform to new, unpublished authors, bringing their work out into the light to share with readers, agents and publishers, in the belief that their writing is strong enough to herald the beginning of a new career for all those on display in this book. The Pulp Idol writers have risen to the challenge of finding their voice and finding readers for their work. You can help them find a wider audience, an agent and a publisher. They'd like to hear from you, and would be happy to send you some more of their work. You can contact Writing on the Wall or contact each writer though their individual emails. We'd like to say a huge thanks to our sponsors, The Granada Foundation, all of our comperes, our judges, our volunteers, our editors and our venues, all of the writers who took part in each stage of the competition, and most of all you, the reader. We are sure you will enjoy these superb opening chapters and will want to hear more from these brilliant new voices.