Opening Chapters with Laurel Cohn 2025

Opening Chapters with Laurel Cohn

‍Beginnings are crucial. If the beginning of a story is weak chances are no one will ever get to the middle, let alone the end. In most cases a publisher, editor, agent or judge will be making an initial decision about whether to support your writing project based on your opening chapters. You don’t have to grab the reader by the throat to engage them (although that might work), you can gently seduce them with a beguiling voice, you can tease them with a curious premise, you can charm them with an interesting character.

How do you go about crafting a beginning that will keep the reader wanting more? This workshop examines the importance of the opening sentence, opening paragraphs and opening chapters. It combines critical reading – looking at a range of beginnings across genres to help understand what works and why – with writing exercises, to explore the effects created by starting a story in different ways.

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WHERE:  Byron Writers Festival HQ, 58 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay

WHEN:   Saturday 25 October | 10am–4pm

COST:     $200 General | $155 Byron Writers Festival Festival Member + booking fees

About Laurel Cohn

‍Laurel Cohn is a developmental editor passionate about communication and the power of words to engage, inspire and challenge. Since the late 1980s Laurel has been helping writers of all types prepare their work for publication and navigate the challenging terrain of developing a manuscript over multiple drafts. Her approach is informed by the importance of honest, clear and practical guidance, and an awareness of the journey of the writer, as well as the writing itself. She is a regular workshop presenter for Writing NSW, Writers Victoria, Writers SA, Queensland Writers Centre, Byron Writers Festival and Australian Society of Authors, and also teaches in Europe. She has a PhD in literary and cultural studies. More about Laurel at www.laurelcohn.com.au