subject: Get Published! What Is a Hook and How Have Other Successful Authors Created Theirs? [print this page] Get Published! What Is a Hook and How Have Other Successful Authors Created Theirs?
Most people think the "hook" is the title and subtitle. But that's not quite right. A hook is the overarching concept or theme that will be used not only in your title and subtitle, but in every aspect of the book. The hook will shape the reading lines on the cover of your book, in your section and chapter titles, in the terms you use throughout the book, and the examples you use to illustrate your ideas. Your hook will also be translated into visual form through the design of the cover and inside page layout. Broaden your vision of a hook beyond the title and subtitle to include all other aspects of your book's structure, content, and promotion.
Two Great Examples
Here are some great hooks that can serve as inspiration for the hook you create for your book. Let's start with a title that has a pretty blatant hook to it:
1. Love, Lust, and Faking It: The Naked Truth About Sex, Lies, and True Romance
Nothing subtle about that, right? It hooks readers-just about all readers-by referencing sex and lust, and by using eye-catching words such as "Naked" and "True Romance." If you knew that the author was Jenny McCarthy-a comedian known for her raunchy humor-this hook makes a lot of sense. Not only is she using a hook that will draw readers into her approach to comedy, she's also making an enticing promise--she's going to tell you the truth about romance.
Jenny McCarthy's book is promised to be an eye-opening. So she's baited her hook for those who are drawn by the salacious words, but also prompts them to buy her book by promising life-changing insight.
Now let's move onto another book about relationships:
2. Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus: A Practical Guide For Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships
What's in this hook? If you have trouble understanding your partner, it's only natural because men and women are so different that they're from different planets! The hook offers hope for bridging the gap between the two gender worlds with the big promise: "Getting What You Want in Your Relationships." The hook speaks to the frustration and despair of understanding a husband or wife, but holds out hope.
How to Bait Your Hook (Or Choose Your Words)
Words are to readers and a worm is to a fish-something that lures you to action. As you can see in both of these examples, the specific words and phrases aren't just picked out of thin air. You're not just picking neat-sounding words or crafting catchy phrases. For a hook to really land its fish, it's got to tap into a bigger concept that speaks to the needs of a particular audience.
A hook is comprised of words that mean something specific to your readers.
This might seem obvious, but it requires careful and creative thought to match your hook with your topic and your specific audience. As you brainstorm possible hooks for your book, always keep your audience in mind. Ask yourself, "How will my readers react to these words or phrase?"
Your goal is to create a sensational hook that prompts publishing professionals and readers to say, "This is a great idea and I want this book!" The better your hook, the better chance you have of getting a contract and selling a lot of copies once it's published.
To learn how to get your book published download my free article, "The 3 Most Important Questions You Must Answer to Land a Book Contract" at http://www.carmenreneeberry.com/untitled16.html
Carmen Berry, MSW is a New York Times bestselling author who has taught aspiring authors how to get published for 10 years. Her coaching draws, not only from her successes, but also from the many mistakes she has made during her 25-year writing career. As a result, her clients can avoid making common-sense blunders that many first-time authors make. It's okay to be a first-time author as long as you don't act like an amateur. She works with aspiring writers who love helping people such as mental health professionals, educators, medical professionals, pastors, fitness experts and craft enthusiasts.
