What is a Hook to a novel pitch/submission

by Kimberley Stevens
7th August 2013

Hi, whenever I research about pitching your novel to an agent I hear about a hook, but I don't fully understand. Would someone be able to give me a couple of examples please. :)

Thanks.

Replies

Hello Renee

With readers, it's the point in the story where they simply cannot stop reading, or they've discovered something incredible, and different. Usually, it's an extraordinary point in the story. A climax, or a mini climax. i.e. She had reached a point in her life where she knew she must leave him, but the thought of being alone at sixty, made her shiver with fear.

With agents, what you are trying to do, is convince them to accept your book. So, to hook an agent, there must be something about your book, or you, which stands out from the crowd, and makes them believe they can sell a lot of copies. It could be a new, or exciting idea, (as with Harry Potter), or (Fifty Shades), or it could be your amazing writing style (as with some of the great classic writers), or it could be the way you weave your stories.

Aim High, and Good luck.

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Maurice
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Maurice Northmore
11/08/2013

A hook in a submission is not often the same as a hook in a novel, though it could be.

Maybe you're an acknowledged expert on the subject of your MS. You might have written around a current news event. Or it could relate to what's the popular theme of the moment. They're all hooks that might attract an agent to take you on...or not.

As opposed to hooks in your book, the plot points which grab a reader and make them keep reading.

That's my understanding of it :)

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Jonathan
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Jonathan Hopkins
08/08/2013

I believe that means getting an agent of publisher hooked and wanting to hear more.

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Renee
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07/08/2013