Putting Your Best Foot Forward with First Pages

First Page events are wonderful ways to not only get your manuscript beginnings critiqued, but also to get your work in front of editors and agents.

Attending First Page events also gives you a window into how an editor, agent or other professional might view and respond to your story in the moment. You will learn a lot from listening close to the comments made on not only your page, but every page. Take notes!

While it may seem hard to believe, editors and agents rarely keep reading until the end of a manuscript unless they're hooked. And believe it or not, they can tell a lot about your story just from the first page! So it's super important to hook them from the very beginning and make them want to read on.

WHAT AGENTS AND EDITORS LOOK FOR IN A FIRST PAGE:

Here are just a few things they might consider --

1. Did the writer follow the submission guidelines?

2. Is there proper punctuation and/or spelling?

3. Does the first sentence provide a compelling start?

4. Does what comes after serve to make me want to keep reading?

5. Is the setting well executed and necessary to the story?

6. Is there a character that kids can connect with?

7. Is the character flawed in some way, not perfect? Is the main character likable and/or one the reader will root for?

8. Does the plot move forward?

9. Is there a story problem that kids can identify with?

10. Does the main character have motivation to solve the story problem or achieve the story goal? Do they have agency in the story?

11. What are the stakes -- what will happen if your main character doesn't achieve his goal?

12. Does the writer have a good command / understanding of the age group?

13. Does the writer utilize age-appropriate language or at least give context to the meanings of harder words?

14. Does the language beg to be read aloud again and again?

15. Does the story have a voice?

16. Are there four reasons that a reader / buyer would want this book?

17. Is the premise fresh and new, or has it been done before / overdone?

18. Does it stand out above what is already out there?

19. Is it a story well-written, and well-told?

20. If rhyming, does it have well-executed rhythm and meter?

These are all things that can be shown before the first three spreads of a picture book manuscript. Keep in mind that the story problem / story goal should appear within this space, or your beginning is too protracted.

GENERAL FORMATTING FOR FIRST PAGES: (Do Check Specific Event Guidelines)

SPACING: Please follow general First Pages Submission Guidelines, as follows. First pages should be double spaced. To check spacing, go to Line & Paragraph Spacing on the toolbar, check the spacing, but also check the custom spacing by scrolling down and clicking on that. Before and After fields should be 0. 

HEADER: Please show a header with Author Name, Title and Word Count. To make the header go to Insert on your Tool Bar, then Headers and Footers, then Header and type your Author Name and Title. 

Example: Henny Penny’s Weather Worries by Lynne Marie (500 Words) 

GENERAL FORMATTING: Start at the first line of the page and continue to the last line, if at all possible. Try to craft your last line (as well as your first lines and body of text) in such a way to intrigue the reader and inspire them to want to read more. 

Paginating or double-spacing between paragraphs is helpful. Page #s can be on the same line as the text, as can art notes that fit. Do not cram your work onto one page. There should be “somewhat” proper spacing, pacing and flow. 

For Girl Power Hour Only -- send these to me with a subject of [GPH] Title by Author (Genre) to the address provided.

Most importantly, be sure to approach these events with the proper mindset. If the feeback feels in any way challenging, read with an open mind, and then take a few days or so to digest. Remember that the first page professional is giving you their honest thoughts on what needs to be done to take your manuscript to the next level. Even if you don't agree with the feedback (sometimes, we, as writers, can be too close to our stories), still try it on for size -- you may be surprised at the result. And you have nothing to lose! You will still have your old draft as well. The main thing is that you can take your story to the next level. And of course, if you are having trouble understanding how to navigate the feedback, spend some time chewing on it. Sometimes breakthroughs come when we least expect it!

I am happy to say that I am aware of several First Pages success stories -- all predicated upon an Agent or Author reading a first page! So, I hope that these guidelines serve to make your First Pages experience a wonderful one and wish you the best of luck.