First Chapters - SYW - Historical

Puma · Apr 15, 2007

We all know first chapters are the most important in finding publishers or agents. Anyone with an historical WIP is encouraged to post the first chapter in the historical subforum of Share Your Work as an individual thread. In the thread title use "HCh 1" and then your title so they're easy to identify. (Note: if your 1st chapter is 5,000 or more words, I'd suggest finding a break point around 2,500 words; if the first chapter is only 500 words, I'd suggest picking up at least 1,000 of the second chapter.) Everyone from this historical genre forum is encouraged to look at and critique the chapters in SYW. Looking forward to seeing your posts and critques up there. Puma

Diviner · Apr 15, 2007

I re-posted To Virginiawith a request that people look at the beginning of the older post to see which start they prefer.

Also, I have the first volume in the series ready. Should I post it, too? I recently abridged the first few chapters, so have changed the start. I plan to shop it again just as soon as I finish Virginia.

Puma · Apr 15, 2007

Hi Diviner - I don't see why you couldn't post the first chapter of your series volume too. Hopefully this will be a good opportunity for helpful comments. Puma

Bo Sullivan · May 31, 2007

What is the password for historical post first chapter messageboard please?

Barbara

Puma · May 31, 2007

Hi Barbara - A little less than halfway down the main AW board is a forum called Share Your Work - the password is vista. Within Share Your Work there are a number of sub-forums - near the bottom is historical and that's where first chapters should be posted. But - be sure to indicate at the top of your post whether you want the chapter critiqued and if so, whether you want critters to go easy or tell it like it is. Puma

Cinzia8 · Apr 6, 2008

Hey, Puma:
Are there any agents or seasoned and published writers who visit this forum and critique? I've been to workshops where they teach what to do or what one must have, but it I'm looking for experienced feedback, not just from aspiring writers like myself. I feel that with every query or synopsis or partial that is rejected without feedback it's like being in a pitch dark room and trying to find the door. It might take a lot longer than it would with a flashlight.<g>
Cinzia

girlyswot · Apr 6, 2008

I'm not Puma, but I can tell you that yes, a number of the contributors to the Historical SYW forum are published authors. There are certainly some agents who are on AW, too, but I don't know of any who specialise in historical fiction, or who read SYW.

murmel · Apr 29, 2008

Is this still active? I'd love to have someone look at my opening chapters to tell me what is missing. I know that there's something missing and I've got feedback already, but still I cannot lay my hands on it. argh.

Puma · Apr 29, 2008

Hi Murmel - First chapters is always open (but if your first chapter is long-long, maybe post 2,000 words or less). Have you posted your chapter in Historical Share Your Work? If not, that's the thing to do. Puma

murmel · May 1, 2008

I did (and received wonderful feedback) and I even posted again... not for a line edit but to see whether I'm going into the right direction. The new post is more like the ms is written... I just can't get chap 1 to work. Arck.

First Chapters - SYW - Historical

Puma

Retired and loving it!

Diviner

Puma

Retired and loving it!

Bo Sullivan

Puma

Retired and loving it!

Cinzia8

girlyswot

murmel

Puma

Retired and loving it!

murmel