Quick Advice Needed! Changing the word, "Prologue" ???

[thequotegal]

Okay, I have to sign a final galley today for self-publishing this one novel. Before I ever came here and read about all the "prologue" controversy, yes...I did make a prologue. It has important info in it, so in retrospect I would just retitle it Chapter 1 as it bothers me to think many will skip reading it. However, the publisher says now they'd have to charge me a lot to do that because it involves renumbering all the rest of the chapters and there are 48! (I don't know why that is such a big deal actually, but...) He suggested a "simpler" solution. Simply remove the word "Prologue" and replace it with "The Beginning." Would you do that? Would you still skip reading a section called "The Beginning?" I wouldn't. But then I read prologues too. LOL.

Thanks for any quick feedback...gotta decide in a few hours!!

[thequotegal]

PS. Forgot to add that all chapters have not only numbers but Word titles as well. So the Prologue is also called, "Listen Up!" So now it would say, "The Beginning" in the upper left corner (that's the chapter format/layout) and then "Listen Up!" below centered. Should I do this or just leave it as Prologue? It will be followed by Chapter 1 which is called "Fully Disclosed."

Thanks, and hope I'm describing this so you can understand?

[Birol]

Is the only reason you're changing it because of what you've read here? Who's your publisher?

[kct webber]

All I can really tell you is that I don't skip prologues. But if you are really worries about calling it a prologue, I don't think it would hurt to change it to something else--like The Beginning.

In the long run, however, if the prologue is well written and grabs the reader--ie, something happens--I think people will be inclined to read it. That's just my 2 cents.

[ACEnders]

I've never skipped a prologue. I never heard until I came here that prologues were "bad." I wouldn't worry about it. Although I don't mind the sound of "The Beginning." That makes it different and intriguing. And maybe those people who normally skip prologues would be intrigued enough to read it.

[crtaylor]

Its a tricky one. 'The Beginning' sounds like a good title for the chapter rather than another word for prologue, and if you combine that with 'Listen Up' then it may be confusing, EG: which one is the title of the chapter??

Personally I have no problems with putting in a prologue. If it has nfo. that is important later in the book, then the reader will soon realise they have missed something out. If it doesn't contain information that will ruin the understanding of the book then you could just take it out altogether.

Hope this helps!

Good luck with publishing!!

[kct webber]

You know... Oddly, the Epilogue of my WIP is entitled The Beginning.

[cletus]

Despite some peoples' opinions on this board, I still see books being published with prologues. Many of them are bestsellers. I wouldn't let it worry me too much.

[CaroGirl]

I read prologues. If there is printed material between the covers of a book, I read it. Especially if I paid for the damn thing. I'm compulsive that way.

But if you're determined to change it, The Beginning sounds good. I'd prefer not to be told to "Listen Up!", though.

[Namatu]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. And yes, it is a big deal to renumber all the pages in the book, and change chapter numbers, at that stage. Don't do that. The publisher will like your money, but you don't want to pay for it. It's not necessary.

[thequotegal]

Thanks everyone for the quick feedback!! Kct Webber...I love that your last chapter is called the Beginning! CaroGirl...it actually is all about eavesdropping...thus the title "Listen Up!"

I have time to gather a few more opinions. But again, much appreciate the quick offerings!

[Bruzilla]

If there's a historical reference for the reader to know before the actual plot begins, a prologue is essential.