How to Nail your first 50 pages: Leila Dewji

As an author, you need to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward. Your opening chapters need to work the hardest, as they have to convince the reader to invest their time and money on the rest of your book. Whether they are just flicking through a few pages in a book store or have downloaded the first chapter for free on Kindle, it needs to leave them hooked and wanting more.

However, in my 10+ years of working as an editor and also a literary agent, I have found that the opening chapters are often the weakest areas of the whole manuscript. This is because authors haven’t yet found their rhythm or got into the swing of their writing. I have read too many opening chapters that felt tentative and hesitant rather than powerful and attention-grabbing. In this webinar, I’ll show you how you can make sure your opening chapters are as strong as can be.

Click here to find out more about Leila Dewji

GIVEAWAY

Leila is giving away one Start Strong Manuscript Assessment (worth £150). This is a 6-10 page editorial report based on the first 50 pages of your manuscript. It will cover both broad-strokes issues and give specific examples of smaller problems along with solutions of how they can be fixed.

The report will include feedback and advice on the following:

• general overview on the merits of the manuscript and who it would appeal to
• storytelling technique
• character development 
• showing vs. telling
• choreography of action
• pace and dramatic tension
• descriptions
• tone and language
• grammar, spelling, sentence structure, tense and formatting
• textual analysis to highlight any overused words or phrases
• conclusion and advice including actionable steps you can take to make your manuscript better straight away

Leila Dewji