memoir partial request: include preface?

writerGDW · Oct 30, 2011

(I posted in the thread below about prologues, but then thought maybe this deserves its own post.)

I've written an issue-based memoir that includes a preface. The preface is 3 pages and includes a few key stats and facts about the issue. Then Chapter 1 begins the narrative.

When requested for a partial, should I include the preface? Does it count toward the number of pages requested?

Theo81 · Oct 31, 2011

It would count towards the number of pages and No, I wouldn't include it if it's background information. I want to read the book, not a load of statistics. It also sounds like it might go as comfortably at the end of the book as the beginning.

Old Hack · Oct 31, 2011

If you've been asked for the first fifty pages, then that's what you should send. If those fifty pages include the prologue then send it; if the book is just as good without the prologue, then why are you including it?

Terie · Oct 31, 2011

For the memoir (also issue-based) I co-ghostwrote, the subject included a prologue with introductory facts in her original draft. I don't remember at what point the information moved, but in the end, those facts were included in the epilogue, instead. The published book still has a very short prologue, but it sets the story rather than presenting facts about the issue. The facts are actually far more interesting once you've read the story and really care about the issue, rather than in advance, where they end up sounding preachy.

writerGDW · Oct 31, 2011

Old Hack said:
If you've been asked for the first fifty pages, then that's what you should send. If those fifty pages include the prologue then send it; if the book is just as good without the prologue, then why are you including it?

It's a preface, not a prologue, and it is included because the issue my memoir addresses is really unusual and the stats/facts are helpful in setting up the narrative and introducing the issue.

writerGDW · Oct 31, 2011

Terie said:
For the memoir (also issue-based) I co-ghostwrote, the subject included a prologue with introductory facts in her original draft. I don't remember at what point the information moved, but in the end, those facts were included in the epilogue, instead. The published book still has a very short prologue, but it sets the story rather than presenting facts about the issue. The facts are actually far more interesting once you've read the story and really care about the issue, rather than in advance, where they end up sounding preachy.

Moving it to the end might work nicely, actually. Thanks.

memoir partial request: include preface?

writerGDW

Theo81

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

Terie

Writer is as Writer does

writerGDW

writerGDW