In The First Five Pages, literary agent Noah Lukeman reveals the necessary elements of good writing, whether it is fiction, nonfiction, journalism, or poetry. Lukeman points out errors that will immediately send your manuscript into the rejection pile, including: A weak opening hook Overuse of adjectives and adverbs Flat or forced metaphors and similes Melodramatic, commonplace, or confusing dialogue Undeveloped characterizations and lifeless settings Unoriginal plot and characters A lack of plot progression and uneven pacing With exercises at the end of each chapter, this invaluable reference will allow novelists, journalists, poets, and screenwriters alike to improve their technique as they learn to eliminate even the most subtle mistakes that are cause for rejection. By studying examples of what not to do, writers can learn to spot those bad traits in their own writing. The First Five Pages not only gives tricks of the trade from a publishing industry insider but will also help writers at every stage take their art to a higher -- and more successful -- level.