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Learn how a literary agent evaluates first pages LIVE!
Once an agent or publisher evaluates the query, they’re going to jump right to your first pages. There’s so much that rides on your novel or memoir opening that it’s easy to slip into analysis paralysis. Let a former literary agent guide you through the components of a successful opening page, as well as the first chapter and beyond. This workshop involves a presentation covering novel or memoir first pages basics and best practices. Then reader submissions of the first two double-spaced pages are workshopped, with different genres, categories, and talking points each time. 


Break Out of the Slush
There’s a lot of pressure on those opening novel pages. Here’s how to start your story in a compelling way, avoid common mistakes, and catch the attention of an agent or publisher in the slush. In this presentation, you will hear a wealth of information about how to write successful, eye-catching first pages. 

LIVE First Pages Editing
After a brief presentation, I will workshop between three and five first pages submissions from attendees. You will receive submission instructions before the workshop, and if your first two double-spaced pages are chosen, they will be marked up and discussed for the whole group to see.

Watch On Demand

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About Good Story Company
Your story matters—and we're here for every step of your writing journey. Good Story Company is dedicated to helping all writers unlock their potential. Your best story is waiting. Let’s take the next step together.
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Presentation by
Mary Kole

About Mary Kole
Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children’s book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir.
She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.


Duration
1 hour

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