ASK A LITERARY CONSULTANT
Make the best impression
Cornerstones’ Monica Chakraver ty offers advice about writing compelling opening pages for a novel manuscript
Q I feel there’s so much at stake on the first pages of my novel but can’t settle on the best way to start.
AI’ve been working with a few authors recently who have submitted a book draft and then (apologetically!) sent through revised first pages that they felt worked more strongly. They’re right in assuming that the outset can make or break an agent’s response, yet publishers and agents are looking for so much more. I’d try not to put too much pressure on the perfect way in, despite tales of established authors such as Stephen King spending weeks, or even months, securing the perfect start.