“Regardless of what POV you choose, a strong voice is necessary for great books, and it’s not uncommon for an agent or editor to pass on a story that lacks a defining voice, or embrace one that is exceptional. ” – Abigail K. Perry on the first chapter in TAKE IT BACK by Kia Abdullah 

Abigail K. Perry takes an in-depth look at TAKE IT BACK by Kia Abdullah, a book and author represented by literary agent Jessica Faust. 

Next to a query letter, the most important pages a writer needs to master in order to hook a literary agent are their first pages and first chapter. These set the expectations for the book and the quality of the writing and storytelling.

Kia Abdullah is a wildly talented writer and storyteller, which Abigail attests through her analysis of the first pages and chapter of TAKE IT BACK. (Spoiler alert: the whole book is suspenseful and great!) 

In this special BONUS episode, Abigail uses a scene analysis template and seven key first chapter questions every reader can use to determine the quality of a first chapter. She uses TAKE IT BACK as an example, and plans to provide this analysis in a download SOON. 

The goal of these bonus episodes is to provide writers with tools and examples to help them better the first chapters of their books before querying a literary agent. 

TAKE IT BACK FIRST CHAPTER ANALYSIS (DOWNLOAD COMING SOON!):

About Kia Abdullah:

Kia Abdullah is an author and travel writer from London. Her novels include Take It Back, a Guardian and Telegraph thriller of the year, Truth Be Told, which was shortlisted for a Diverse Book Award, and Next of Kin, Times Book of the Month Sep 2021.

Kia has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph and the BBC, and has received a JB Priestley Award for Writers of Promise (Royal Literary Fund, 2020). She is also the founder of Asian Booklist, a nonprofit that advocates for diversity in publishing.

Take It Back Blurb:

The victim: A sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities who accuses four boys of something unthinkable.

The defendants: Four handsome teenage boys from hard-working immigrant families, all with corroborating stories.

Whose side will you take?

Former barrister Zara Kaleel, one of London’s brightest young legal minds, takes up Jodie Wolfe’s case; she believes her, even if those closest to Jodie do not. Together they enter the most explosive criminal trial of the year in which ugly divisions within British society are exposed. As everything around Zara begins to unravel, she grows even more determined to get justice for Jodie. But at what cost?

Find us on our socials: 

Twitter: @abigailkperry | @KiaAbdullah

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @KiaAbdullah

Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.kiaabdullah.com 

Read the books discussed in this episode:

TAKE IT BACK (Represented by Jessica Faust)
THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS 

Other Resources:

Scenes vs. Chapters Article by Savannah Gilbo

Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo