Dec 10 2008

Surviving to Page 2

Published by B. Mac at 6:52 pm under Writing Articles

Many manuscripts get nixed on the first page.  Here are a few things that publishers want to see early on.

1.  Is it easy to read through? If your first page introduces many characters, fictional words, place names and the like, the story is probably a slog.  If your first page is hard to understand, your manuscript is dead on arrival.

2.  “Do I care about this story?” The easiest way to make a reader care is to give urgent, pressing goals to a likable protagonist.  If nothing’s at stake, readers will probably find the story boring.  If the reader doesn’t care on page one, your submission is in grave danger.

3.  Does the author have a professional grasp of English? If the author has glaring grammar or punctuation problems on page one, they’re just going to assume you’re an amateur and move on to the next manuscript.  Making a good first impression is important.

4.   Does it look like the plot is going somewhere? If the first page gets bogged down in a geography lesson, or a winding prologue, or a lengthy exposition, the answer is probably no.  Pacing the first page well is extremely important.

6 responses so far

6 Responses to “Surviving to Page 2”

  1. # Frank Murdockon 01 Feb 2009 at 5:55 am

    Hello. I’m new here and find your site incredibly informative. I have a book I have been working on for a few years now and would like some critique on my prologue. I’m not really sure of how a prologue is to be executed, but do know what I like in one. I tried to write mine in a manner that draws curiosity and compels the reader to want to continue. I believe I have done that, but I guess I’m nervous about what a publisher might think. Is there anywhere here that I could submit my prologue for some peer review? Thanks in advance.
    sincerely,
    /FM

  2. # B. Macon 01 Feb 2009 at 6:00 am

    Hello! I just put up a review forum for you so you can post your excerpts and get comments more easily.

  3. # Halfbakeryon 08 Feb 2009 at 10:37 pm

    Thanks for the tips. Actually, can I request a review forum as well? I’d like to share my story that I’m writing as well.

  4. # B. Macon 08 Feb 2009 at 10:49 pm

    Sure. Here it is.

  5. # S.V.Ton 16 Feb 2009 at 8:54 am

    I’d like to have my passage reviewed by you guys. I don’t know how to do it though.

  6. # B. Macon 16 Feb 2009 at 8:56 am

    Umm, you can post it here or e-mail it to us at superheronation-at-gmail-dot-com . If you’d like a review forum, I can set that up for you.

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