How to write a book intro
How to Write a Book Intro
Does the thought of writing your book intro have you quaking in your metaphorical (or literal) boots; beads of sweat pooling on your forehead?
If so, read on to find out all about writing an introduction for a non-fiction book: what is the purpose of an intro, how long should it be,
Is a book intro really necessary?
It isn’t mandatory to include an introduction in your non-fiction book; however, if you browse through other non-fiction titles, you’ll probably discover that the majority of them do contain a short intro.
You will also find books with an introductory chapter that has been written by another person. This is called the “foreword” and is different from the introductory chapter we’re speaking of here; we’ll talk more about the foreword for a non-fiction book in a later post.
Although an introduction isn’t strictly necessary, it is common practice to write one, and its inclusion often proves helpful to readers; particularly for books about wellbeing, because topics under this broad term can be complex.
That said, some books work well without an introduction. A great example is Deepak Chopra’s How to Know God. Deepak draws the reader straight into the book without preamble; its first sentence, paragraph and chapter are powerful enough to need no introduction. In fact, it might be said that to add an intro to this book might labour the piece even, detracting from its compelling beginning.
An intro highlights what the reader stands to gain from the book by quickly outlining its contents, and if they are unfamiliar with a topic, it can be a very handy summary of the ideas about which they are going to be reading.
Written well, the introduction to a non-fiction book can serve to entice readers to turn the page!
Book intro or book preface?
The introduction to a book is different from a preface; although both chapters are written by the author and sit at the beginning, the latter is less formal and tends to contain information that’s not strictly necessary for the reader’s enjoyment or understanding of the book.
The intro, on the other hand, can be thought of as part of the main book. It contains a brief summation of what the book is about, what subjects and ideas the reader will encounter within its pages, and what solution it will offer, or conclusions it will come to.
Some authors compose a hybrid of a book intro and a book preface, both summarising what the book is about and offering a glimpse into its background, i.e., why it was written, and why they were the author to write such a book. This combination of preface and intro can work very well.
What’s the purpose of a book introduction?
A book intro can be a very useful device. Primarily, it offers readers an insight into a book; its purpose is to introduce the book, sort of like a compere might introduce an act on stage, answering the question, why should you read this book?
Another key use for the book introduction is for the purposes of sales and marketing. You might use the intro as part of a press release or, for example, on your Amazon page, where potential buyers will be able to scan through the intro and use it to help them decide whether to go ahead and purchase the book.
You might also use the intro as a framework for a talk on the subject if you are invited to speak at an event or for your book signing; there are many ways you can use your book intro for marketing and PR purposes.
The intro lays out the topic of the book in an abridged way, stating its arguments and assertions from the outset. It could contain reasons as to why a person might want to keep reading, and what they might glean from it.
For complex topics, as an example, the author might state her or his conclusions in the intro, such as why a certain method might be helpful for treating a health issue, using the remainder of the book to elaborate on those views and establish why the reader should adopt the same viewpoint.
In addition, although many readers tend to skip the intro altogether, some might return to it when they have finished reading the book as a reminder to help them integrate lessons learned from it.
How long should the intro be?
Each book is different and as an author, you will come to know instinctively how much to write for your introduction. However, the general consensus is to keep your book intro to approximately 2,000 to 3,000 words in length, or about three to four pages.
Some intros go on for way too long, and this could have a disastrous effect on a reader who might be perusing your intro online before purchasing the book; if they have trouble understanding the intro, or find it dry and unengaging, then this will dissuade them from wanting to read any further.
On the other hand, more complex subjects might warrant a longer introduction to prep readers about the topic before they really delve into it.
Just bear in mind when writing your intro that people are very busy and generally want to get to the “thrust” of the book and its benefits or outcomes.
In what style should you write your book introduction?
Some people tend to think of a non-fiction book intro as a very formal piece of text, but if the main book is written in an informal style, the intro should be written in the same way for the sake of consistency.
For instance, if the main book is written in the first person, then so, too, should be the introduction of the book.
Remember that the purpose of the introduction is to enhance the reader’s enjoyment and understanding of the book, rather than to show off your mastery of writing, rather like a peacock.
As you write, always keep the reader in mind, and ask the question: what is this part/chapter/section adding to their understanding of the book?
Alternatively, you could be a little more creative with your intro, framing it around a question, or a scenario, or even a quotation; it all depends on your book’s style.
Should you write the intro first or wait until after you’ve finished writing the book?
Whether to write the introduction before you tackle the main book is entirely up to the author.
If you have a clear idea of what the book is about and have a good plan in place, know how you’re going to frame your arguments and where you want to take the reader, then you probably already have a strong notion of what you want to include in the introduction of your book before completing the full work.
For other authors, the introduction is best left until the book is written; by then, they have a more established sense of the book’s purpose and can pen a more powerful introduction due to the fact that they have been able to cement their own arguments in the very act of writing the book.
These authors will find that it more natural to produce the intro after the fact, and this is an equally valid approach.
Writing a non-fiction book about wellbeing? Speak to us today to discover how we can help you publish your book. Schedule a consultation with us by emailing info@wellnessbooks.co.uk.