An improved process is provided for preparing wholly aromatic polyamides from solid monomers; particularly, aromatic diamines and aromatic dicarboxylic acid halides. The solid monomers in particulate form are first mixed in the substantial absence of oxygen and in the absence of a solvent or diluent to prepare a uniform monomer mixture having a desired stoichiometry prior to the initiation of the polymerization reaction. The uniform monomer mixture is thereafter polymerized in the presence of an appropriate solvent as herein defined.