Tag: Openings

  • Fantasy Prologue: Why Skip Them + Strong Alternatives

    Fantasy Prologue: Why Skip Them + Strong Alternatives

    Fantasy prologue hot take: your fantasy novel might not need that prologue. Controversial? Maybe! But it opens up an important conversation about how to enter your story in ways that hook readers without overwhelming them with lore or slowing the pace. Common Fantasy Prologue Pitfalls As an editor, I see many prologues used as “lore…

  • Does Your Psychological Thriller Hook Readers Instantly?

    Does Your Psychological Thriller Hook Readers Instantly?

    When it comes to psychological thrillers, the hook in those first ten pages is make-or-break. This is where readers decide to settle in or slip away. Nail the opening and you set the emotional temperature and suspenseful tone for everything that follows. Let’s break down a practical checklist for achieving that irresistible hook, using five…

  • Why Your Book’s First 10 Pages Matter More Than the Next 100

    Why Your Book’s First 10 Pages Matter More Than the Next 100

    You can write the most brilliant book in the world – but if the first 10 pages fall flat, most readers won’t stick around to find out. This isn’t just industry rhetoric, it’s a hard truth that shapes whether your book finds its audience, lands an agent, or ends up on a publisher’s desk. This…

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