Welcome to the Power of Page One!

A mini-masterclass on making your first page ‘hookable.’

I’m so happy to have you here! POP1 is a community of writers and book lovers passionate about the craft of storytelling—which begins with a compelling page one.

👋 Follow for weekly insights on becoming a better storyteller and tips on hooking readers from page one! (And bonus: discover some great new books!)

🔥 Try my newsletter— Power of Page One, a weekly dive into the first page of your favorite books (and some hidden gems) inspired by episodes of The Page One Podcast where master storytellers reveal how they work their magic to hook us.

But first, two truths—and a lie.

1. Every author gets one chance to make a first impression. True.

2. If you don’t hook readers on page one, you lose them forever. True.

3. Making your page one ‘work’ is easy. Lie.

Whether you’re submitting to agents, pitching editors, or finding readers, your opening lines are the portal to everything that follows. Why take any chances?

You’ve spent years writing your book.

That’s a lot of life force energy and creative output!

So why not put in the extra effort to ensure that your first page is… “hookable?”

The Power of Page One is designed to help YOU hook your readers.

By learning how master storytellers work their magic to hook each of us, we can gain insights into improving our first pages—and maybe even the rest of our manuscripts.

Is your first page ‘hookable’?

Quick story.

Guess how many times Alka Joshi rewrote page one of The Henna Artist?

Forty times. That’s right. 40! Alka agonized over getting this page right and her perseverance paid off. The Henna Artist became an instant bestseller and catapulted Alka’s writing career into the stratosphere. Even better, Alka was not in her 20s, 30s. or even 40s. Alka was 60 years old when she debuted. Alka Joshi, my guest on Ep. 3 of The Page One Podcast, was wise enough to rework her first page until it worked.

The Power of Page One exists to help you make sure your page one works, too.

I wish I could say this was a breeze. It’s not. Trust me. I’ve been teaching storytelling, editing manuscripts and coaching writers for more than 20 years; I’ve seen a pattern.

Most writers bury their lead.

And when they do, they lose us as readers.

Ouch, right? So here’s some tough love because I want to see you succeed.

If you want to gain readers—lasting readers who are willing to give you 7-10 hours of their precious time reading your book, you need to hook-proof your page one.

And that’s what The Power of Page One is all about.

My Why

I’m not just a teacher. I’m an author. I’ve been there. And I am humbled by every first page I face too. Just like you. I’m in the throws of it as I type… working on a new book.

We’re in this together.

My secret mission: if books hook us from the start, we’ll read more and discover more books we love. It’s a win-win. If we find books we love, we perpetuate a love of reading. And when we read, we grow. It’s why I keep writing no matter what.

This not just a labor of love. It’s where I turn my hard work into heart work.

What’s in it for you?

Weekly analysis of some great ‘page ones.’ We’ll look at what works and what isn’t working to hook us. You’ll not only get tips and inspiration to improve your own page one, you might grow as a storyteller. What applies on ‘page one’ applies to the entire manuscript. So learning the foundations and gaining experience is key to improving.

Nobody, not even the most successful authors in the world have an easy go with their first pages. I know because they tell me about the stories and struggles behind their ‘page one’ on the Page One Podcast. Even Dean Koontz says he revises to get it right.

The Power of Page One:

1. The first page is the most important part of your story. It’s your first and only chance to capture attention, create intrigue, and leave a lasting impression.

2. First pages are your literary calling card. Make agents and editors wanting more.

3. Crafting the perfect first page takes skill, strategy, and precision. It’s about more than just good writing—it’s about knowing what makes a first page irresistible and understanding how to craft a hook that works.

4. Your first page makes a promise to your readers. A well-crafted first page doesn’t just sell your manuscript—it starts an intimate relationship with your readers.

Why not make readers fall in love with you from page one?

Your story deserves to be read.

I’m passionate about helping you make that first page the best it can be.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

The Power of Page One, offers guidance, insights, and strategies to help you perfect your opening, refine your voice, and craft a first page that is bound to hook readers.

What you can expect from POP1:

• In-depth analysis of successful first pages from works of fiction and non-fiction—so you can learn exactly what makes a first page work.

• Practical tips and actionable strategies for crafting a compelling opening that grabs attention and sets the stage for your entire story.

• Expert advice on what agents and editors are looking for in a first page, and how you can meet those expectations while still staying true to your story and unique voice.

• Personal reflections and lessons from The Page One Podcast, where I dive deep into the craft of storytelling with master storytellers who share their wisdom on how to create unforgettable first pages.

• Support and feedback that will help you refine your first page and ensure it’s the very best representation of your story.

Your first page is too important to leave to chance.

Join me each week to make sure your page one is the best it can be, so you can hook agents, editors, and readers—and set your story up for success.

You and your writing are worth it.

A bit more about me if you’re curious why me, why Page One?

• Award-winning, internationally published author of four novels

• Host & Producer, The Page One Podcast

• Kirkus starred review, Editor’s Choice Historical Novel Society, Rose Girl

• Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers author of The Virgin’s Knot

• Winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award from IBPA for Kingdom of Simplicity

• MFA Novelist and MIM Intuitive Healer

• Served on the faculty of Academy of Art University, California College of the Arts, San Francisco State and Stanford Online Writers Studio

• Former CEO and Founder of Booxby. We built a patented AI powered book discovery software with a grant from the National Science Foundation.

• Private Writing Coach | Developmental Editor | Ghost Writer

  Book a strategy call with me to improve your first page—or birth your book. Each of these calls takes place between 1-3 p.m. Fridays, Pacific time.

  I’ll teach you my process for helping you find the soul of your story and leave a legacy for the world with your book. Learn more and read client success stories.

  My joy

  I live on a houseboat just north of the Golden Gate Bridge with my teenage daughter and dog, Lady Gaia, our yellow lab. When I’m not helping other writers, I love to hit the trails hiking or mountain biking. I’m a terrible runner but love to swim, SUP and surf (baby waves because I’m so new). Watching the sunrise over Angel Island from our houseboat inspires me and my work every day, but its my love for this Labrador Retriever, my constant companion who resides at my feet all day who melts my heart. She is my best friend and forever love, Gaia Girl.

  

Latest work

ROSE GIRL: A TALE OF RESILIENCE & RUMI

Winner of a Kirkus starred Review
“Disarmingly powerful—a nuance story of female resilience that reaches across the ages.”

Editor’s Choice, Historic Novel Society

“Riveting, gorgeous, engrossing! I raced to the end.”
Alka Joshi, NYT bestselling author of The Henna Artist

“A world of magic, mystery, poetry and above all, genuine love.”
Lee Kravetz, bestselling author of The Last Confessions of Sylvia P.

Thank you

Thank you for checking out Rose Girl and The Power of Page One.

I look forward to getting to know each of you!

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and website. Never miss an update.

Thank you for supporting POP1. I’m so excited to build this community with you.

A mini-masterclass on making your first page ‘hookable.’