Your novel’s success depends on having an extraordinary start — a first chapter that captures your reader's attention. Readers have nearly endless options at their fingertips and thanks to services like Amazon, they don’t have to go far to find them. That means you have to fight. The best weapon at your disposal? A fire-forged first chapter that you can use as a sample.

Your goal is to produce a first chapter that grabs your readers, pulling, pushing, and seducing them into your story. A solid start means not worrying whether other books will steal their attention; they're yours—along with the money and fame that brings. The sad truth is publishing has become too easy and many authors are lazy. Put in the work, do the testing, and revise accordingly; you'll be way ahead of the pack.

You know, for better or worse, that Amazon dominates the bookselling market, so unless you make the mistake of avoiding them altogether, your marketing priority is to make their system work for you. The best opportunity relies on Amazon’s “read sample” feature, meaning—above all else—you must produce a compelling first chapter. Here are the requirements:

The “read sample” feature allows readers to preview a set percentage of a book's content. Set it to three thousand words; that's how much readers (no matter how smart or how fast) typically read in a sitting. Let readers use the sample to speed date your first chapter with one click before committing to something long-term.

1. Craft an Opening That Will Blow the Reader Away

Every author has heard of the importance of having a strong hook in their first chapter. As far as advice goes, it ranks somewhere between “show, don’t tell” and “adverbs are the devil.” So, if you already know that a hook is an attention grabber—a controversial statement, unexpected action, or emotional scene, why are we talking about it?

Setting realistic goals means taking a hard look at how much time you have to devote to writing and knowing yourself. If your attention fails after an hour, don’t schedule lengthy writing sessions. Alternatively, if you know you work best when you settle in for the long haul, make sure your plan accounts for that. Most importantly: don't set yourself up for failure; set your target wisely, even if it isn’t the official challenge goal.

Because it’s that important, and because many authors underestimate how big of a hook they should use. The first chapter isn’t the time to hold back, this is where you lead with the big guns. Show the reader what they’ll be getting with your novel, and make sure it suits the genre. Genre readers know what they want when they pick up a book. Demonstrate how you’ll be giving them what they’re after with an irresistible, genre-appropriate hook.

Actionable tip: Look at some recently published novels in your genre and analyze their openings. See which ones grab your attention, and note the similarities (also learn to avoid those that fell flat). Now try them in action. Grind out ten or twenty, and run them past as many readers as you can—their reactions will let you know if you’re on the right track.

2. Lure the Reader Into Your Protagonist’s Head

Compelling characters don’t have to be likable. Consider American Psycho by Brent Easton Ellis or You by Caroline Kepnes. When it comes to fiction, there's essentially only one cardinal sin your protagonist cannot commit, excluding puppy-kicking. Any guesses?

If you said "being unbelievable," you're right. Your protagonist can be anybody they want to be, as long as that somebody can come to imagined life. It doesn’t matter if your protagonist is a substitute teacher or a 400-year-old vampire. They must feel “believable” to the reader, possessing foibles, wants, fears, and a backstory, the same way real people do. Create authentic characters and readers will step outside of themselves and into your character’s heads, allowing them to live out fictional experiences “through” your characters.

Actionable tip: Use reader feedback to assess your character’s effectiveness. Watch beta readers’ reactions as they read your chapter, looking for signs of emotional engagement. Then ask them to describe your character. You’re hoping for an enthusiastic description and, even better, for the reader to go beyond what’s on the page, adding embellishment as the character has taken on a “life of its own” in their head.

3. Coax the Reader Into a New Realm

Your goal is to build a world your readers want to explore. Whether your story takes place in modern-day Kansas, or on a planet pulled from the depths of your imagination doesn’t matter. A strong first chapter invites the reader into your story world, giving them just enough information to get their bearings, knowing they’ll gather specifics as they go.

Note: the above is the opposite of info dumping, which is bombarding the reader with facts instead of letting them organically experience the world. Since you’ll continue to build on the foundation you’re creating in the first chapter, don’t try to explain everything upfront.

Actionable tip: Readers default to the here and now, it’s instinctive. This response means you must select the detail that makes your story world the most different from “their world” and amplify it. This contrast creates interest; curious readers will happily explore any realm, as long as it’s worth their time.

4. Establish Conflict and Stakes

You know that saying, content is king? Switch out the first word and keep it in the front of your mind while writing: conflict is king. Your story’s conflict is your story. If that sounds confusing, let’s break it down.

Your character wants or needs something, if they can get it easily, where’s the story? But, when they have to struggle for it—confronting obstacles that force them to change on some fundamental level—that’s worth reading about. First chapter conflict captures the reader’s attention, highlights the stakes, and demands the reader choose a side.

Actionable tip: Make sure you can define your conflict in one sentence, then grab a test reader. Have them read your first chapter, and ask them what the conflict is. Their response will let you know if your conflict is clear, or needs to be more prominent.

5. Plant Thematic Seeds

Your story’s theme is its message; what you hope the reader will take with them after they’ve turned the final page. Whether your story will tackle the struggle of good vs. evil, or the importance of being true to oneself, start warming the reader up to it now. Plant your theme’s seeds in the first chapter. Then, tend them so they grow into a powerful message that will resonate with the reader.

Actionable tip: As with conflict and character, reader feedback is the best way to determine how well you’re setting up your novel’s theme. Ask your reader what they think your novel’s theme is, and use their answers to see if you hit the theme target, or need to recalibrate.

Don’t walk onto the book-selling battlefield unprepared. Arm your novel with a fighting first chapter if you want to win readers’ attention. Test your first chapter by entering the Bardsy First Chapter Anthology Contest. Not only will you have the chance to win publication and a monetary prize—$50 for finalists, $1,000 to the grand prize winner—you’re guaranteed feedback on your first chapter.

Every entry will receive a completed Publishability Index™ that highlights your first chapter’s strengths, and pinpoints where there’s room for improvement. This professional feedback will help ensure that when readers sample your work, they’re compelled to click “buy.” You’ll also have the opportunity to revise before judging, increasing your chance of becoming a finalist.

Don’t procrastinate sending in your first chapter! The deadline is March 3, 2025, and the sooner you enter, the sooner you’ll receive your feedback and be able to begin revising. Click here to enter your first chapter in our Anthology Contest today.