Book: First Pages of Best Sellers: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why
C. S. Lakin
https://indieauthortools.com/books/first-pages-of-best-sellers
Capturing a reader’s attention from the first page of a book is crucial to engaging the reader from the onset. It sets the stage for the rest of the story and tells the reader what to expect from that point on, possibly making the difference between the reader purchasing your book and passing it over. First Pages of Best Sellers by C. S. Lakin analyzes the first pages of more than two dozen bestselling novels and provides a thorough breakdown of what works, what doesn’t, and why. This valuable resource examines topics such as boring writing, understanding how genre is the key to the first page, how to write a first page for a new series, and more.
Tool: Hemingway Editor
Hemingway Editor is an editing application for those who want to self-edit their writing. Available on both a native desktop app and in-browser, Hemingway Editor goes beyond spell-checking and can help the author identify stylistic upgrades, needless words, and when your writing might be too dense. The average American reads at a tenth-grade level. Hemingway analyzes the grade level of your text in the app and will identify sentences that are hard to read. Hemingway will also offer suggestions to improve readability in potentially difficult passages.
Podcast: The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
https://indieauthortools.com/podcasts/the-shit-no-one-tells-you-about-writing
The Shit No One Tells You About Writing is a weekly podcast with hosts Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, and CeCe Lyra in which they interview all those involved in the publishing process, including authors, agents, and editors. Specializing in actionable discussions for emerging writers who want to improve their writing, the podcast includes a specialized segment within the show called “Books with Hooks,” where hosts read and analyze query letters and the opening pages of books on air. Listeners can expect good advice and honest insight for honing their craft.
When Writing Means Business, Storytellers Read Indie Author Magazine
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