The Word Cloud

I'm putting together a website for my children's story that will be published in April and I'd like to put an excerpt of the story on the website as a taster.

Question is - do I go for the first chapter (which is extremely short) or choose an extract from the middle of the story that ends on a cliffhanger? I'm humming and ha-ing about with it at the moment and would be grateful for any views, experiences or advice.

I can see pros and cons of both routes. Oh, and sorry if I have barged into the coffee and chat here - couldn't see where else to post!

Hi Spi. FWIW I would put the first chapter as excerpt. Teenagers in particular love short chapters! If you don't think it's enough as a hook or cliffhanger, maybe you could put a rhetorical question after it ...?

You will be putting your 'elevator pitch' to whet the appetite regards story and presume some illustrations/character pen pics/profiles etc? Perhaps a puzzle with your book as the theme?

Good Luck and if you want my 14 yr old (and/or 12 & 9 yr old to take a look and tell you what they think I can do. Eldest is a whizz at websites and all are avid readers. Sooooo excited for you! xxx

I think on balance it has to be the first chapter. You're aiming to sell it - and it's got to be able to cut the mustard. What I do find surprising is that you consider another chapter has a better cliff-hanger, which comes across as you not having enough confidence that your first chapter is as good.

Thanks for the offer, Autumn. I may need some beta-readers or testers for the website at some point so will let you know. I hesitate to use Spi Junior as he'll have his own biases! I'm working with a designer/illustrator and we'll have some cartoons for the characters and lots of pics and info on the cars and planes featured in the book. It's looking good...

The dilema as I understand it is that first chapters tend to be scene setting and therefor are less dynamic than climax chapters. but if you put an excerpt from a middle chapter you may have to add context notes. The ideal is perhaps a few lines similar to a film trailer which give the feel for the book and provoke an interest. all in my opinion. as of late, I am reading loads of kiddies books. Grandson hides from the Gruffalo but loves "mouse mouse" when we read.

Thanks, Prop. Yes - the object of the exercise is to catch people's interest. It's a tricky one as I have the readers 9-12 to think of, but also any agents and publishing type people who look at the book website. I'll have the back cover blurb on the website as well, so I hope the sum total will appeal to all the various audiences. Glad to hear grandson is keeping you out of trouble!

I don't know much about this audience Spi, but have a 10 1/2 year old if you want a test reader :-)

I think it depends how you're laying out your webpage. If you are going through main characters to introduce the public to them, then interesting quotes from each character might be good to help people 'get to know them' before the book comes out. Especially if you have really different character traits. Might also help younger kids to warm to certain characters before reading. Just a thought.

It's all very exciting! best of luck. :)

Gels - you've been reading my mind. I'm going to do something almost exactly as you suggest...!

First chapters are in some ways the most important, they hook the reader- regardless of age. If you are worried about it then add action, and, as already suggested leave a question hanging. Agents always want the first chapter, that's what I would do. Good luck.

Knowing what I do of your story I think of it in some ways as related to the adventure movies I would see on Saturday mornings at the flicks. Much better of course, but the same principle. So I'm in favour of a cliffhanger section, because that's how they always used to end, making sure we came back next week.

Hey! 300 posts - seems like more, although maybe that's because you're more a blog man.