The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Your Novel Up For Success

The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Your Novel Up For Success

by Jeff Gerke
The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Your Novel Up For Success

The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Your Novel Up For Success

by Jeff Gerke

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Overview

Seeking writing success? Start at the beginning...

Whether you’re looking to get published or just hoping to hook your reader, first impressions are vital. Compelling opening scenes are the key to catching an agent or editor’s attention, and are crucial for keeping your reader engaged.

As a writer, what you do in your opening pages, and how you do it, is a matter that cannot be left to chance. The First 50 Pages is here to help you craft a strong beginning right from the start. You’ll learn how to:

 • introduce your main character
 • establish your story world
 • set up the plot’s conflict
 • begin your hero’s inner journey
 • write an amazing opening line and terrific first page
 • and more
This helpful guide walks you through the tasks your first 50 pages must accomplish in order to avoid leaving readers disoriented, frustrated, or bored. Don’t let your reader put your book down before ever seeing its beauty. Let The First 50 Pages show you how to begin your novel with the skill and intentionality that will land you a book deal, and keep readers’ eyes glued to the page.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781599632834
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date: 11/25/2011
Pages: 240
Sales rank: 364,952
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.64(d)

About the Author

Jeff Gerke (www.marcherlordpress.com and www.wherethemapends.com) is an author of fiction and nonfiction including such books as the Operation: Firebrand novels. He has worked as an editor for numerous publications and is the founder of Marcher Lord Press, an indie publishing company dedicated to producing the finest in Christian science-fiction, fantasy, and other genres. He is also the author of Plot Versus Character, also from Writer's Digest Books. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Table of Contents

foreword viii

introduction i

part 1 : The Submission Process

chapter 1 Tin (And Out Of) The Beginning 14

chapter 2 Proposal Killers 23

chapter 3 Three Bombs 36

part 2 What Your First Fifty Pages Must Accomplish

chapter 4 Engage Your Reader 64

chapter 5 Introduce Your Main Character 79

chapter 6 Establish Your Hero's Normal 95

chapter 7 Establish Your Story World's Normal 107

chapter 8 Start The Inner Journey 123

chapter 9 How To Begin 140

chapter 10 Another Fine Mess 157

chapter 11 A One-Act Play 173

chapter 13 The First Page 191

chapter 13 Pages 2 To 50 209

chapter 14 Conclusion 223

Index 227

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