The First Five Pages A Writers Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile (Paperback)

From the Publisher: Noah Lukeman, a former editor who is now a successful literary agent, has seen has share of bad writing. As a longtime publishing professional, he has developed an efficient method for recognizing whether a manuscript is fit for publication or headed for the rejection pile. The first five pages, he asserts, serve as a microcosm for the whole: if the writing isn't up to par, an agent or editor will look no further.|Using examples from actual manuscripts and query letters he's received, Lukeman illuminates principles that can be applied to virtually any type of writing--fiction, nonfiction, journalism, and even poetry. He covers the fundamentals of crafting good prose and examines every aspect of the "bigger picture" in detail, including viewpoint, tone, setting, characterization, pacing, momentum, and much more.Provides advice for aspiring novelists on preparing a manuscript for a literary agent or editor, writing readable dialogue, and using other techniques to begin a work so that publishers will want to publish it and readers will want to read it