Cathryn summerhayes, a literary agent at curtis brown, talks to us about what she looks for in a pitch from a new writer. How to write, publish, and promote the book that will build your business kindle edition by karen williams. Writing chapter one is a challenge, yet for many authors writing chapter two is the stumbling block how can you develop further. The sooner you figure out which is whichand how to best optimize them boththe better your book will be. Akin to your elevator pitch, and often reflected in your titlesubtitle, your. Catering, drink packages, and customtailored events for every group. The hook is that tiny, important little bit of awe you plant in readers minds in the first. Aug 09, 2016 10 ways to hook your reader and reel them in for good by. You are responsible for ensuring that no tactics used to promote your book manipulate the kindle publishing service andor kindle programs. A hook is a passage or bit of information that changes the stakes, pulls the reader along, and builds the trajectory of your narrative. Your book is your hook from thought to sales in just 90. A book hook is a statement or question designed to generate immediate curiosity and make the reader desire to know more about a book. You know all about the hook for your books beginning, right.
But then it all goes away after chapter 5, leaving you with nothing to talk about for the rest of the book, or leaving you with no choice but to write a different book altogether. Writing a book is a great way for business owners to inspire and edu. You admire your book, hold it, fondle it and do your best to keep from dancing around the room. This page details her bio, credentials, and businesses. When youre tempted to jump off onto yet another meandering tangent or subplot, you can look at the book hook and remember the central theme and purpose of your book. Yes, dave, i think your book has a lot to do with the craft of creating a character and a story. Oct 07, 2017 how to write the book introduction to hook your reader october 7, 2017 kate coe guest post, motivation, selfpublishing, writing tips when people are looking for new books to explore, there are three elements that get their attention. What is it, what does it do, why is it necessary, how do you identify it, and more. Ann garvin august 9, 2016 when i wanted to write an essay about my difficult relationship with my brother i had to figure out a way to make it interesting to other people so i turned to these 10 elements to keep the story rolling. A fantastic book or script an outstanding look an amazing hook. Whats your hook 26 creative ways to make your message. With only 52 interview spots available each year, the show is a coveted media credit that provides great reach and coverage for your authors and their book projects.
You dont need to wow them with every nuance of the conflict between your hero and heroine. Your storys heart is what its all about, way down at its center. What you want to do first is get them interested in you and your books premise. Many agents andor editors will confess that they stop reading on the first page if theyre not hooked. This book is an easy singlesitting read that will give you great ideas, intriguing real life examples and creative encouragement to make more of your very next presentation. Your hook is the concept of your book the one that grabs readers attentions and forces them to pick up the book and find out what happens. Your books hook is basically the answer to the allimportant question.
I found myself laughing out loud especially with the line about the cheezit on page 54. Learn why its not enough to just write a nice story. Create the hook that sells your book the wise ink blog. The hook is that tiny, important little bit of awe you plant in readers minds in the first chapter in order to hook their curiosity and reel them in, so theyll keep reading. Think you wrote a great hook for your books beginning. While pitching around rebecca phillips upcoming book, my hook for editors was. How the textbook industry tries to hook your prof wired. In this free 7day course author, coach, and speaker kary oberbrunner will. This is exactly why i wrote my third book, your book is the hook go here to get your personalised signed copy. You dont need to recite a paragraphlong pitch to an editor.
Your book is your hook llc life skills schools new york. As authors and writers, were always learning about resources and industry tools that we can use to improve our book project performance and the enjoyment of our writing and marketing experiences. When i become a consulting client, does this mean your book is your hook. One thing that a lot of writers dont get is that the difference between a good story and a great one is the bad guy. Its actually one of the reasons why its often recommended to write the blurb of your book before you even write the first line of your manuscript. I start with how to develop your idea, planning your book and writing it. Your book is your hook from thought to sales in just 90 days. What you want to do first is get them interested in you and your book s premise. Perhaps the most important yet most elusive asset to have as a new author is a highconcept hook for your book. When you do come across a great novel hook, it feels so natural and easylike it was effortless to write. Slayton will teach you some techniques for taming the dreaded synopsis and making writing it more manageable. Real world applications and examples in the sidebar. If youve put together a howto book or a selfhelp book, its important that. Your hook can contain a statistic such as this, a quote, or a shocking anecdote.
After youve written the book, your book hook will help you sell it to editors, agents, booksellers, bloggers, and the rest of your adoring public. Apr 10, 2019 i hope so because this is an example of a hook, which is how you open the first sentence or paragraph to grab a readers attention and keep them glued to the very end of your story or article. It is no longer acceptable for a book to get good on page 40. By creating intrigue, suspense, lovable or at least compelling characters and interesting setting or action.
On hold nobody will ever know how incredible your book is if they dont read it. Constructing a hook map can help ensure yours are serving your story. Wilkov is a bestselling awardwinning author and publishing industry consulting expert who has been quoted and her writings have appeared in national magazines and newspapers. Sep 12, 2018 how to write a book blurb in 4 steps the opening of your blurb has to be incredibly precise and dynamic, says editor rebecca heyman for a lot of firsttime authors, i think theres an instinct to make sure readers understand everything that happened in the books universe before the beginning of the actual story.
Lets say you have a fabulous title, your short description was eyecatching, and your first chapter sets up this incredibly interesting hook. Your comparative titles dont have to be about plot. Endless possibilities await your function in over,00 square feet of gorgeous, curated events space. You need to carefully consider your hook because it is what you will use to build your platform, gather your tribe, get interest and interviews from the media and much more. What is the unique detail about your manuscript that will catch the eye of agents, editors, sales reps, book sellers, librarians, and ultimately your customer. It isnt often you find a craft book that is so on point and occasionally darkly hilarious.
Your book is the hook takes you through my six step process that shows you how to write the right book. Your book is the hook karen williams book mentor librotas. Dec 07, 2017 with more than a million new books hitting the shelves of brickandmortar and virtual bookstores each year, one thing is clear. I really enjoyed kevin carrolls book whats your hook. Youve just received a shipment of your first published book from your printer or pod publisher. Apr 02, 2020 learn from frances gilbert, editorinchief of doubleday books for young readers, what is a hook. Apr 11, 2020 author chris mandeville will help you hone your logline, the onesentence description of your book that will hook agents as well as prospective readers. Dec 28, 2014 the differences between your storys hook and your storys heart will affect every page you write. During our private consulting services or curriculum class sessions, you may identify options for publishing your book based on your personalized strategic plan and. My book hook a free 7day system for creating your killer.
Guest column by angie fox, new york times bestselling author of the accidental demon slayer series. A unique opening line that touches the core of the story, that temptingly hints to what theyll find inside, that compels your reader to read on. Dec 27, 2018 a hook is a passage or bit of information that changes the stakes, pulls the reader along, and builds the trajectory of your narrative. Connections to other courses and preparation for the mcat. Nail your book pitch with a highconcept hook youtube. Jan 22, 2014 details that will sell your book are always attentiongrabbing, but not all attentiongrabbing things make you want to buy a book. With more than a million new books hitting the shelves of brickandmortar and virtual bookstores each year, one thing is clear. If you handle it right, this will be your dream editor or an agents first. Your first sentence has to grab the reader and not let go. From your hook, the onesentence logline you use to describe your book, to the first page of your novel, its critical to grab the readers attention immediatelywhether that reader is an agent, editor, or consumer. Youre welcome to promote your book through thirdparty websites and other services, but we encourage you to monitor the tactics they use to promote your books. How to write the book introduction to hook your reader. They can be about the themes explored in your book. The opening chapter of a book needs to hook your reader.