Thriller 101

First Page Formula: Author and Writing Coach April Davila on What Agents & Readers Want to See in Your Thriller Manuscript Opening


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Writing coach April Davila reveals the non-negotiable elements that make first pages irresistible to readers and agents. 

Learn why most manuscripts fail in the opening paragraph, discover the strategic approach to character revelation that transforms boring descriptions into magnetic hooks. 

Then find out which common opening mistakes instantly kill reader interest. 

Plus, April shares her surprising advice about when to actually write your first page (hint: it's not when you think).

What You'll Learn:

  • The essential elements every first page needs
  • Why dream sequences and flashbacks kill reader interest
  • Strategic character reveals through environmental details

Click here to learn more about April Davila. 

Guest Bio: April Davila is an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach. Publisher's Weekly called her debut novel, 142 Ostriches, a "vivid, uplifting debut" and the book went on to win the WILLA Award for Women Writing the West. Writer's Digest listed her blog (at aprildavila.com) as one of the Best 101 Websites for Writers and she is the creator of the Sit Write Here writing coaching program, which integrates mindfulness meditation techniques to help writers quiet their inner critics, overcome writer's block, and edit more effectively. Her second novel is forthcoming.

Episodes I think you'll love…

  1. Literary Agent Amy Nielsen on How to Fix Your Opening Pages (Part 2)
  2. How to Write an Opening Chapter that Keeps Readers Reading with Author David McCloskey
  3. 3 Keys to Nailing the Opening of Your Novel
  4. Agent Carleen Geisler Reads a Submission & Shares How Agents Evaluate Opening Pages
  5. Writing Your Opening Scene with Thomas Mullen

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now


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