First Impressions Matter: Here’s How to Write an Irresistible Book Introduction

Five things every introduction should contain.

Writing a good introduction for your book is an important step in grabbing your reader's attention and setting the stage for what's to come. In this blog post, we'll explore what books need introductions, who writes them, the difference between an introduction and a foreword, whether a fiction novel needs an introduction or a prologue, and what specific content should be included in your book's introduction.

Certain Books Need Introductions

Not all books need introductions, but introductions are particularly useful for nonfiction books, memoirs, and autobiographies. These types of books often require an introduction to explain the book's purpose, what readers can expect to learn or gain from the material, and why the author is qualified to write about the topic.

The Introduction’s Writer

In most cases, the author of the book writes the introduction, since they are the best person to provide insight into what inspired them to write the book, what they hope readers will gain from it, and what readers can expect from the book. In some cases, however, a publisher or editor may write the introduction, particularly if the author is not well-known or if the publisher wants to highlight certain aspects of the book.

An Introduction is Different from a Foreword

Introductions and forewords serve different purposes. An introduction is written by the book’s author and is intended to prepare readers for what's to come in the book. A foreword is written by someone other than the author, such as a celebrity or expert in the field, and is intended to provide credibility to the book. It may also include a personal endorsement of the book and explain why the author is qualified to write about the topic presented in the book.

Fiction Uses a Prologue Not an Introduction

Fiction books don’t use introductions, but they often benefit from a prologue. A prologue can be used to introduce the setting, characters, and themes of the book, as well as provide some backstory that may be necessary to help readers understand the plot.

When deciding whether to include a prologue in fiction, consider whether it adds value to the story and if it will help readers more easily understand the plot. If you decide to include a prologue, make sure it’s engaging and relevant to the story.

5 Things to Highlight In Your Introduction

The specific content of your introduction will depend on the type of book you are writing. There are a few key elements, however, that should be included in most introductions. They are:

1. Hook: Start your introduction with a hook that grabs readers' attention and makes them want to keep reading.

2. Background: Provide some background information about the book, such as the genre, setting, or time period.

3. Purpose: Explain the book's purpose and what readers can expect to gain from it.

4. Author: Introduce yourself as the author and explain why you’re qualified to write about the topic.

5. Overview: Provide a brief overview of the book's content and structure.

Final Thoughts

Writing a strong introduction for your book is one of the first ways to grab readers’ attention and set the stage for what's to come. Introductions are particularly useful for nonfiction books, memoirs, and autobiographies. Fiction novels, on the other hand, may benefit from a prologue.

The author of the book typically writes the introduction, so this makes the introduction different from a foreword. The introduction should include a hook, background information, the purpose of the book, information about the author, and a brief overview of the book's content and structure.

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