Inkshares Community discussion

Since this is the feedback folder, I feel safe leading with a link to my book, "The Life Interstellar."

My question is this: what (in your humble opinions) is the best thing to share? Options that I see:

1) The actual opening to the book.
2) Something representative of the book.
3) Some kind of cliffhanger.
4) Some kind of summary (this one doesn't seem so appealing).

Follow up #1: But that's just the first thing that people will read. What should one post after that? Chapter 2? Other random excerpts? Is it possible to share too much?

Follow up #2: Has anyone kept material back in order to share it as a promotional strategy later?

Anyway, I would welcome your thoughts on the subject.

I think any of the first three options would be appropriate; there's a separate space for option 4 already, and, in my opinion, a mere summary doesn't really give much idea of the quality of the work.

The absolute ideal would be something that combines all three of those first options: an opening that is representative and which also ends on a cliffhanger. Failing that, well ... you do want something that demonstrates your craft, while leaving your reader hungry for more. Some writers manage to do that without resorting to a cliffhanger. Starting at the opening lets the reader get acquainted with the setting and characters as they are introduced. Sometimes, this isn't necessary.

It is possible to share too much, certainly. I think I may have done so--but I started at the beginning and I did want to get all the way up to the chapter with the murder.

Another writer told me that people tend to be less interested in reading unfinished material, and that I'd be better off showing them completed short stories. I don't know; maybe?

Zack wrote: "Since this is the feedback folder, I feel safe leading with a link to my book, "The Life Interstellar."

My question is this: what (in your humble opinions) is the best thing to share? Options that..."

Yeah, as Christopher said, any of those options would work. His advice is good all around.

I have heard opinions on all sides of how much to share, so just do whatever you think is best. I have up the first 1/3 of my book, and some people think I'm nuts. Most readers don't need that much before they're willing to make a decision - they just want to know that you're a competent writer.

And as for #2, since you asked... I would say don't try to use any of your material from your currently funding book as a promotional giveaway at any point. Don't do it. People do it all the time and it just doesn't make sense.

None of us are authors with huge followings or a fanbase. We think our work is great, but people who are new to our characters/stories don't care. It is not an incentive for them. They are not going to join together and order more copies so that once you reach 100 readers they get to read another chapter or whatever. They're not going to order for the chance to receive and excerpt in your thank-you email. It's not an incentive, it is not a thing of value to them.

You are in the humble position of an author asking someone to take a risk, jump the hurdle of navigating a new site AND spending money, to read your book. If they decide to give you a chance and pre-order your book, it will NOT be because they want you to give them bits of your book early. Your book isn't a precious commodity to them yet; it's a risk. They're doing you a favor by ordering it.

You have to offer something else as a prize. A short story, separate from your book and complete in itself, might work for some readers. (Not all.) But bits of your book? No. Don't do it.

Late to the party here, but for the record, I'm loving what you ARE sharing, Zack. Your posts are treats!

Thanks Rhett! I didn't see anybody else doing the fiction thing, so I figured I'd jump in with both feet and see how it went. My goal is to convert the people who are following but haven't become Readers yet.