The First Five Pages
Consider There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they’ll take you. Beatrix Potter This Wordsmith Stars post reminds that agents and editors must choose a special few manuscripts from thousands received each year. How do they decide? Here are insights I’ve gained from the Associated Writing Programs Conference & Bookfairs. As explained in the video below, agents and editors hunt through piles of submissions every week looking for quick reasons to say, “No.” Erin Cox began her publishing career in publicity, then became an agent and publicist. Of selecting a book, she reminded that agents often receive material no one has seen except the writer’s mother and, perhaps their writing groups. Of the first five pages, she asks: Do I want to read the next five pages? David Graff had been an editor at Crown and became an independent editor. He advised writers, “to make sure material is as ready as possible.” Graff added that the first sentence and the power and the authority of the writer is what grabs. What market and readers demand is suspense. Of those opening pages, Graff reminded that every novel is a mystery novel. There really has to be a sense of a major question being posed from page one. If you can thrust the reader into the midst of something, suggesting what could happen, then you could have a reader or an editor miss their subway stop because they’re engrossed. How? Writers Relief offers five valuable ingredients for those first five pages, including skipping a prologue, focusing on characters, showing where the story happens and more. Write me with your story goals or questions. Succeed and Soar! Shop Sandra’s Galleries Buy Sandra’s art framed, on canvas, as posters. Also on totes, weekenders, tee shirts, journals, caps, baby onesies, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more. Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE.
How to Pitch Your Story
Consider A piece of writing’s purpose is to express oneself, convey information, persuade … earn money. – Richard Martin, AuthorsCast.com David Graff had been an editor at Crown Publishing and was working as an independent editor when I attended his “The First Five Pages” panel at the Associated Writing Programs Conference. In contacting an agent, Graff said the query letter should answer these questions: What’s the book about? Who’s the book by. Publishers want to publish authors (people). What other books are like yours? What tradition is your book in? Who would read your book? What “groups” will be interested? What about the book is new, interesting and fascinating, making it different from similar books (perhaps through your voice or humor or unique vision)? Understand: The query letter should be shorter than 200 words. Those words must entice an agent/editor to spend a year of their life on your book. Drafting a query letter can be a good way to envision the book. But the book needs to be well planned if not finished before querying an agent. This post’s videos provide great information. That said, all advice offered here should be considered: General Tips. Agents’ web sites will present their specific requirements. Shop Sandra’s Gallery Buy Sandra’s Art framed, on canvas, as posters as well as puzzles, shirts, infant onesies, phone cases, ornaments, journals, blankets, clocks and more. Each item is individually made, just for you. Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE.