Rating: 
Summary: A must for any writer's most essential collection
Review: Noah Lukeman seems to know what he's talking about. And he can write, a skill not demonstrated sufficiently in some books on writing. He is a literary agent, one who has represented some high-profile writers. Dealing, as he has, with editors at big publishing houses, he must have some insight into what they want to see in a manuscript.The best time to get into "The First Five Pages" is when you have a work in progress. Only then can you apply his advice in a practical way. Of course, this applies to any book on writing. You can't collect advice about writing on your mental hard drive for later retrieval. Lukeman introduces his book thusly: "There are no rules to assure great writing, but there are ways to avoid bad writing... By scrutinizing the following examples of what NOT to do, you will learn to spot those ailments in your own writing; by working with the solutions and exercises, you can, over time, bridge the gap and come to a realization of what TO do." He also says, importantly, "By its end, you'll come to see why this book should not have been titled "The First Five Pages" but "The First Five Sentences". This comment gave great weight to advice (a demand, actually) from another writer that I move a scene from paragraph three to paragraph one. The impact was dramatic. Elements of this book can be applied from first page to last, for he covers much of the waterfront on writing for publication. Also, there is advice on contacting agents and publishers, many nitty little details of what should and should not be found in a manuscript. Sure, Lukeman covers much of the same ground found in other good books on writing. But he presents it in his own style, giving it a refreshing perspective. A worthwhile book, this is. Mine is studded with Post-It Notes, profusely underlined. It is right here on my desk, alongside "Stein on Writing" and a very few others. When I recently "finished" a story, I read this book again and some triggers clicked, inspiring me to make a few changes. Now the question is: Who is going to read even the first five pages?
Rating:
Summary: If you write, you need this book.
Review: Readers and editors are over burdened with books, book deals, writers, publicity, and other aspects of their daily routine. They are expected to read manuscripts at home, so it is no wonder that to get through a large slush pile editors use the precedent: find reasons to reject manuscripts in order to go on to the next one. This book does not teach 'how to write,' but how to avoid the mistakes that send your manuscript to the recycle bin. That is the craft of writing. To be successful, you have to capture your audience in the first five pages. Noah Lukeman, a prestigious editor turned agent knows the secrets of successful writing. In reality, you must capture your reader in the first five words, sentences, or paragraphs with a strong hook and the good writing. Lukeman arranged the chapters in The First Five Pages to show each process in rejecting manuscripts. Follow the steps, and if you are lucky, you might get a contract. Do not follow the steps, and the only reason your manuscript will reach the one person who can make a difference is through a fluke. Each chapter concludes with write and rewrite examples and practices. The Lukeman way is included at the back of the book. The only way to become a better writer is to write. The following is only a brief synopsis of a few chapters. Presentation: The number one reason aspiring writers get rejections is that the work is inappropriate for the market. Simply put: do not send a bodice-ripper, swashbuckling tale to someone representing coffee table books. Other problems are spelling errors, sloppiness, faded text, and dirty paper; they all indicate carelessness that is generally reflected throughout the book. Research your market, and prepare your manuscript according to the instructions given by the agent, editor, or publisher. If they want Ariel font, give it to them. Adjectives and Adverbs: The next step to rejection is the overuse or misuse of modifiers. These words tell rather than show your noun. "If a day is described as 'hot, dry, bright and dusty,'" these words are tedious and the image becomes significantly unimportant. Overuse is very easy to spot by a cursory glance.
Sound: If your manuscript has reached this level, it is being read. Pacing, rhythm, meter, or beat is about the way your prose reveals the story. "Prose can be technically correct, but rhythmically unpleasant." Read your work aloud; if it does not sound right to you, pay attention. Comparison: Analogy, simile, and metaphor can be overdone. I read about 1/3 of a book recommended to me as an excellent thriller. The plot, characters, dialogue, details, and descriptions were good. I could not read the book because everything is not like something else, and every paragraph or three included a simile. Style: If the writing feels forced or exaggerated, or the writer began to showcase his words rather than the story, the probability of rejection is high. Another nit for me is redundancy; this is a matter of using the same or similar word in close proximity. It is also a reason for rejection. I recommend two books to my clients or fledgling writers. This is one of them. Victoria Tarrani
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Resource!
Review: I just finished reading "The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile" by Noah Lukeman and all I can say is "Ouch!" and "Wow!" I'm already planning on reading it again! This book is truly a must have! The advice is no nonsense, to the point. You will cringe, you will want to roll up into a ball and nurse your wounded ego; but, in the end, it will help you nail your writing flaws and explain how to tweak them. In essence, if you want to be a writer an agent and/or editor will want to sign immediately then you must get this book. There's no other way around it. Here is a listing of it's Table of Contents: PART I: PRELIMINARY PROBLEMS
-- Chapter 1: Presentation
-- Chapter 2: Adjectives and Adverbs
-- Chapter 3: Sound
-- Chapter 4: Comparison
-- Chapter 5: Style PART II: DIALOGUE
-- Chapter 6: Between the Lines
-- Chapter 7: Commonplace
-- Chapter 8: Informative
-- Chapter 9: Melodramatic
-- Chapter 10: Hard to Follow PART III: THE BIGGER PICTURE
-- Chapter 11: Showing Versus Telling
-- Chapter 12: Viewpoint and Narration
-- Chapter 13: Characterization
-- Chapter 14: Hooks
-- Chapter 15: Subtlety
-- Chapter 16: Tone
-- Chapter 17: Focus
-- Chapter 18: Setting
-- Chapter 19: Pacing and Progression There is also a fabulous Index that is very informative. "The First Five Pages" has now earned a permenant space on my writing desktop for fast and easy access -- one of only five books on writing to do so. If you use too many adjectives and adverbs, have problems with style, comparison, showing versus telling, tone, pacing and progression, or a host of other problems; then this book is for you!
Rating:
Summary: Common mistakes, and how to correct and avoid them.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When it comes to completing a novel, Noah Lukeman covers all the tutorial bases. I would sometimes come to realize that I was guilty as charged by some of the general writer's errors and oversights discussed, without even realizing before reading the book that I was doing them. An amateur writer really does need these ideas and essentials pointed out to him. There is a path to follow, a road to success within the profession of writing, just as in any other art or profession. Lukeman takes the writer by the hand and explains the common mistakes that the new writer makes, and instructs how to correct those mistakes. His chapters on presentation and formatting, usage (over usage) of adverbs and adjectives, the 'sound' of sentence construction, usage of punctuation, style, and dialogue were of priceless value to me. He does a good job explaining writer mindset and attitude as well, knowing that the choice of becoming a writer can sometimes be a long hard road for anyone. Some of the information was, in my opinion, general and basic writing knowledge as well, but good to see in print anyway, merely because some facts need to be written (correctly) and read over and over again before finally imbedded into a writer's brain. Mistakes often reoccur, as old habits are hard to break. This book will be an everlasting reference for me, something to look back on from time to time. It is the ultimate condensed writer's manual.
Rating: 
Summary: Publishers¿ Viewpoint on Getting Published
Review: This book: creates a powerful image of overworked publishers being inundated with manuscripts suffering from similar faults; documents those faults; and gives general pointers on how to get published. Three (basic) exercise-packed sections cover: * Preliminary problems-- presentation, adjectives & adverbs, sound, comparison, and style. * Dialogue-- between the lines, commonplace, informative, melodramatic, and hard to follow. * The bigger picture-- showing versus telling, viewpoint and narration, characterization, hooks, subtlety, tone, focus, setting, and pacing & progression. The book could be improved through: addition on an overview of the publishing market and publishers (statistics for different genres & countries); use of fewer words for content; better use of sidebars & summaries to be able to "use" book more effectively; explicitly wider focus beyond fiction & novels; and discussion of "content"- the value add for the reader. Overall a worthwhile read, but consider "Writing a Novel - and getting published" (Teach Yourself) by Nigel Watts first- it covers similar content concisely, plus adds much more in an easier to read format.
Rating: 
Summary: Have we all read the same book?
Review: There are some nuggets of helpful information here, but there is also an 'I'm an insider and you're not' tone that is not helpful, and the author's long-winded-essay format is difficult to trudge through. One far better choice is 'No More Rejection' (an unusually helpful publication from the not always reliable folks at Writers Digest) but there are plenty of others, too. Either seek a punchier, less judgmental, more 'try this and this' approach, or buy this and wish you'd saved your money for another ream of bright white 22 lb. paper on which to print your manuscript.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Resource!
Review: I just finished reading "The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile" by Noah Lukeman and all I can say is "Ouch!" and "Wow!" I'm already planning on reading it again! This book is truly a must have! The advice is no nonsense, to the point. You will cringe, you will want to roll up into a ball and nurse your wounded ego; but, in the end, it will help you nail your writing flaws and explain how to tweak them. In essence, if you want to be a writer an agent and/or editor will want to sign immediately then you must get this book. There's no other way around it. Here is a listing of it's Table of Contents: PART I: PRELIMINARY PROBLEMS
-- Chapter 1: Presentation
-- Chapter 2: Adjectives and Adverbs
-- Chapter 3: Sound
-- Chapter 4: Comparison
-- Chapter 5: Style PART II: DIALOGUE
-- Chapter 6: Between the Lines
-- Chapter 7: Commonplace
-- Chapter 8: Informative
-- Chapter 9: Melodramatic
-- Chapter 10: Hard to Follow PART III: THE BIGGER PICTURE
-- Chapter 11: Showing Versus Telling
-- Chapter 12: Viewpoint and Narration
-- Chapter 13: Characterization
-- Chapter 14: Hooks
-- Chapter 15: Subtlety
-- Chapter 16: Tone
-- Chapter 17: Focus
-- Chapter 18: Setting
-- Chapter 19: Pacing and Progression There is also a fabulous Index that is very informative. "The First Five Pages" has now earned a permenant space on my writing desktop for fast and easy access -- one of only five books on writing to do so. If you use too many adjectives and adverbs, have problems with style, comparison, showing versus telling, tone, pacing and progression, or a host of other problems; then this book is for you!
Rating:
Summary: BEST book on writing I have ever read!
Review: With my first book recently in print, I realize I have so much more to learn. I bought Mr. Lukeman's book THE FIRST FIVE PAGES and feel I have been to school! I was ready to submit another book to my agent but after reading just a few chapters of this book didn't! I went through many of the exercises and was able to improve my book greatly. Little touches he suggests will make any serious writer work stand out. I have a small library on how to write a good novel but my books by Mr. Lukeman I keep going back to. Anyone serious writers library isnt complete without Lukeman's books. Robin Shope
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: I thought this was a great book. I did read some of the other reviews and I couldn't disagree more. This is a book that you need to read before you actively market your book. The first time I read this book I wasn't ready for it as a writer. The second time I read it, I wondered how I didn't get it the first time around. It's a wonderful book and full of common sense insights that we often don't see, since we are so close to our own work.
As far as I can tell it's not a book on How To Write, but what to do after you've written, and what to avoid if you want someone in the seat of power to get past your first chapter. If you have already been published, it may not be the book for you (then again, I've read some published books whose authors I think should read it!), but if you haven't and you're past the 'how-to write' stage, pick up this book. I don't think you'll regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Agent, Heal Thyself...
Review: The premise of this book is dark: Most writers, and especially beginning writers, have little chance of getting published or even catching the interest of a literary agent. You'll probably get rejected before agents reach page six. You can improve your chances a bit (or get rejected with dignity) by making some adjustments in your presentation and writing. Along the way you might sanitize your art to the point all signs of life are gone, but better that you get agents what they're looking for. Lukeman acknowledges the contradiction, and he's not responsible for the facts of publishing life. As many rejectees have figured out, the capitalist writing market is cruel and unfair. Take this book for example -- although its subject is writing and it weighs in at fewer than 200 pages, it contains numerous writing and editing gaffes, including a several in its first five pages. Lukeman is an agent, so presumably he had no trouble despite violating his own standards. To be fair, this is a straightforward and practical book. My writing improved as a result of reading it, and I thank him for sharing his insights. In the end, however, Lukeman's most dramatic point may be one he made inadvertantly.
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