What is a reading sample and why is it important?
A sample is an excerpt from your book that gives potential readers a first insight into the story, the writing style and the characters. It is usually a short, concise section - usually the first few pages or a particular highlight of the plot - designed to whet the reader's appetite for more.
The reading sample has several functions:
- Provide insight: It allows readers:inside to check whether your book appeals to them.
- Build trust: A well-written text signals quality and professionalism.
- Arouse curiosity: The book excerpt serves to arouse the reader's interest and motivate them to buy.
Especially in self-publishing and print-on-demand platforms, where you as the author are directly responsible for marketing , the reading sample is an indispensable tool. Unlike in traditional bookstores, where readers can pick up a book and leaf through it, everything online depends on how convincing the first few pages of the sample are.
The free sample is therefore your strongest selling point: it replaces the personal conversation between author and reader and must be convincing right from the start. It's important to find the perfect balance - show enough to arouse interest, but not too much to maintain suspense.
Which excerpt of my book should serve as a reading sample?
Choosing the right excerpt is crucial to captivate and give a compelling insight into your book. Your sample should not only arouse curiosity, but also reflect the tone and quality of your writing. But which passage is best?
The golden rule: tension, emotion, style
Your book excerpt should give an impression of your writing style, the plot and the characters. Here are some aspects you should consider:
- Suspense: Choose a passage that makes you curious. A cliffhanger can work well.
- Emotion: Scenes that evoke strong feelings - be it joy, sadness or anger - draw readers into your story.
- Style: Your sample represents your writing style. Make sure it flows smoothly and is error-free.
Select a reading sample: Finding the right place
Not every passage is suitable as a reading sample. Here are some tips on how to find the perfect spot:
- Beginning of the book: the first few chapters often work well as they lay the foundation of the story. Make sure the opening is gripping.
- A plot highlight: Choose an exciting or decisive scene that provides enough context without giving too much away.
- Visual elements: If your book contains pictures or illustrations, you might as well showcase them in the sample.
What you should avoid when choosing a reading sample
- Spoilers: Avoid scenes that reveal too much of the plot or resolve unexpected twists (plot twists). Readers should remain curious.
- Lengthy descriptions: Scenes that consist mainly of explanations or background could be boring.
- Too many characters: A passage with too many new characters can be confusing.
- Coupon codes: If your book contains voucher codes or similar, you should urgently avoid this excerpt.
How long should the reading sample be?
A length of around 20 pages is usually ideal. This way, you give your readers enough knowledge to arouse interest without revealing the whole story.
If your book is only 100-150 pages in total, a shorter sample can also be useful, e.g. 10 pages.
How do I put the finishing touches to my reading sample?
Before you publish your reading sample, you should edit it carefully to ensure that it is error-free, easy to read, convincing in terms of content and makes a professional impression. Pay attention to the following points:
- Get feedback: Ask friends or test readers to evaluate the chosen excerpt. Objective feedback can provide valuable information on whether the passage is exciting, understandable and appealing.
- Check spelling and grammar: Even small mistakes can look unprofessional. Use proofreading tools or have the sample proofread by someone with a good feel for language.
- Optimize formatting : Clear, legible formatting is crucial. Pay attention to an appealing font, appropriate line spacing and clean paragraphs to ensure readability.
- Shorten and refine: Remove superfluous information or long descriptions that could reduce suspense. Every line of the sample should be relevant and gripping.
How do I publish my reading sample?
Use your reading sample on various channels to promote your book and achieve the greatest possible reach:
- Website and blog: Make the selected text excerpt available for download or integrate it directly into your website.
- Social media: Share short excerpts or quotes on your social media channels that arouse curiosity. You can publish small reading samples as Instagram stories or posts to reach a broader target group. Remember to encourage your community with a clear call to action to read the full sample or buy the book.
- Online bookstores: Upload the sample to Amazon, Thalia or other platforms. Make sure you include the sample in the relevant section of your book description so that potential buyers can view it directly while browsing the store.
- Email newsletter: If you have your own newsletter, send the sample to your subscribers. This way, you can address your loyal readers directly and encourage them to read it.
- Collaborations and guest posts: Collaborate with other authors, influencers or bloggers who share an excerpt from your book in their networks. This can significantly increase your reach and attract new readers who may never have heard of your book.
By using these channels, you can ensure that your sample is seen by a broad target group and that interest in your book grows.
