Book Introduction - Guidelines Anyone?

tombookpub · Apr 29, 2008

While my book on pro beach volleyball is in final editing, I am considering writing an introduction for this narrative non-fiction work. Any suggestions? Should the intro pertain merely to the subject (e.g. providing add'l background) or should I inject some editorializing about the sport?
Thanks, Tom

IceCreamEmpress · Apr 29, 2008

The introduction can definitely capture some opinion and subjective reaction, as well as talking about your personal connection to the topic. It can be a little more "unbuttoned" and chatty than the main body of the book.

K1P1 · Apr 30, 2008

You might consider whether what you want to write is an introduction (i.e. formal background or overview of the material you covered in the book) or a preface (which can deal with limitations, scope, personal anecdotes, acknowledgments, and so on). An introduction is actually part of the text and leads into it. And a foreword is a preface written by someone other than the author. You can read more about the differences here:
http://www.writersandeditors.com/work20.htm

tombookpub · Apr 30, 2008

Thanks for the link that I'll soon check out.

brc23 · May 4, 2008

In your proposal when it says 2-3 sample chapters...does that mean the introduction is one of those chapters? Or do you write that later?

tombookpub · May 29, 2008

The intro need not be provided (nor is it typically requested) as part of a proposal.

mamawriter · May 29, 2008

brc23, I had to include an introduction as a part of my proposal -- but that was for an essay anthology, so I think that's a little different.

scope · May 29, 2008

brc23 said:
In your proposal when it says 2-3 sample chapters...does that mean the introduction is one of those chapters? Or do you write that later?

I wouldn't include an introduction with sample chapters.

Bluestone · Jun 1, 2008

scope said:
I wouldn't include an introduction with sample chapters.

I'm wondering why not, considering I did just that! The publisher, who is very interested in the topic I proposed and requested the submission, wanted a writing sample and all I have is fiction. My introduction (preface?) was far more representative of an interesting style, in my opinion, for them to consider as a writing sample. It included a story of my own experiences, my motivation for writing the book and a compelling reason for them to continue.

The first chapter was a pretty dry treatise on the onerous licensing and business set-up of a wine importer and distributor and I wanted them to have a more varied sampling. Do you think this indicates a naivete on my part, or could it work to my advantage?

scope · Jun 1, 2008

I'm not sure I understand what you did. Did you only send an "introduction"--even though it's not really an introduction, but rather a riff about your writing style, experiences, and motivation for writing the book which the agent or publisher has yet to see? If that's only what you sent I would say it's not wise. That's not what the agent or publisher asked for. It seems to me that s/he wanted to see a sample of pages (chapters) from your work on the volleyball book. If you don't have any such pages, bad on you--you should by now, and they obviously should exemplify your writing style. I can't see how an agent or editor would be satisfied receiving anything but sample chapters from your work. Then again, maybe I don't really understand what you are saying.

Bluestone · Jun 2, 2008

scope said:
I'm not sure I understand what you did. Did you only send an "introduction"--even though it's not really an introduction, but rather a riff about your writing style, experiences, and motivation for writing the book which the agent or publisher has yet to see?.

I see I wasn't at all clear. In my head it made perfect sense, but I left out a few key points in my effort to get straight to my question! I sent the publisher a query (which included reasons why there was nothing like this out there, what was already out there, who my market would be), a separate bio, which detailed my credentials for this subject matter, a Table of Contents, the introduction and the first chapter. The introduction (4pgs) was supposed to be exactly that - including an entree to the topic, a story that illustrated how I came to this point, which also illustrated to the reader (one hopes) my qualifications and a sort of summary paragraph that led into the first chapter (14pgs).

If you are still with me at this stage, a further comment from you would be much appreciated!

aka eraser · Jun 2, 2008

Bluestone, I don't think you need to worry about committing a faux pas. Although for most nonfiction projects I don't believe an intro is included in the preliminary package, it sounds like yours augments your query.

Introductions, forewords, dedications - a lot of the front-of-book stuff is written at a later stage and often revised during the editing process.

Tom, as to your original question - write what feels right for your introduction. Intros are like setting a table - you want it to look good and stimulate appetites but it's no substitute for what's coming.

Bluestone · Jun 2, 2008

Thanks aka eraser!

scope · Jun 2, 2008

Now I understand. Frankly, I can't add anything to the excellent advice you received from aka eraser.

Good luck.

Bluestone · Jun 2, 2008

Thanks to you as well, Scope. Glad I'm not completely off base with my submission. We shall see what they say about my writing now.

Book Introduction - Guidelines Anyone?

tombookpub

Nonfiction writer

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

K1P1

Procrastination is its own reward

tombookpub

Nonfiction writer

brc23

tombookpub

Nonfiction writer

mamawriter

NAK

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Bluestone

It's never too late to dream big

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Bluestone

It's never too late to dream big

aka eraser

Fish Whisperer

Bluestone

It's never too late to dream big

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

Bluestone

It's never too late to dream big