The secret that separates pro fiction from beginners', and how to capitalize on it.

In this landmark work, long time Critters Writers' Workshop member Robert Qualkinbush has analyzed the openings of over 1,400(!) speculative fiction pieces — science fiction, fantasy, and some horror — from both professionals and new writers. He's found what makes pro selling stories work. As the title says, this 100 page book is filled with tons of examples that show you how to improve your openings so they'll sell your story.

2nd edition - revised and nearly doubled in size, with an extensive analysis of opening hooks!

If you want to be a professional writer, you have to read this.

"Robert Qualkinbush is one of my most trusted pre-readers; his critiques are clear, compact, and full of insight into what makes a story tick. Here, he has analyzed 1,400 professional short story openings and tested his conclusions with dozens of fellow writers. The scope of this project is actually kind of ridiculous, and if you're at all concerned about story openings, you'd be nuts not to read what Qualkinbush has to say."
—Wil McCarthy, author of BLOOM and THE COLLAPSIUM

[New in the 2nd edition: Expanded introduction, and a section of additional notes at the end.]