Epigraphs & Prologues & Epilogues, Oh My!
What do you read, what do you skip, and how do you go about getting the rights to use song lyrics?
Earlier this month, I participated in a book fair in Monmouth County. I met many lovely authors, illustrators, and, of course, readers who signed up for this newsletter. Welcome, new subscribers! Thanks for being here.
One of the things I love about chatting with readers is learning what they like and dislike as well as which parts of a book they flip to first and which they skip entirely.
For example, I have a friend who, regardless of genre, always reads the last page first. (Cue this thriller author screaming!)
Typically, I go straight to the acknowledgements. I love learning who was instrumental in shepherding the book into the world. Sometimes the acknowledgements read like the author breathing a celebratory sigh of relief for making it to the end.
I thought I was alone in starting here until I found The Acknowledgements podcast, hosted by the wonderful Nutan Rubinson. Like I do, Nutan starts at the end of a book. But, fortunately, for me and listeners everywhere, Nutan takes the next step and interviews authors about their acknowledgements section, getting the backstory behind those expressions of gratitude. I loved her recent episode with my friend, Lee Kelly, about blending genres. (More on Lee below!)
After savoring that list of “thank you”s, next I look for an epigraph, that line, quote, or poem that sets the tone and appears just after the dedication. I remember the first time I was really struck by an epigraph. It was this:
“Let me fall if I must fall. The one I will become will catch me." - Baal Shem Tov
I’ve actually seen these lines used a few times yet their power never diminishes for me.
When I was procrastinating (which I’ve elevated to its own art form—just ask my cats, who I photograph 700x a day—my latest is at the bottom of this newsletter—don’t say I didn’t warn you) while writing The Perfect Neighborhood, I would scroll endlessly looking for quotes to use as an epigraph. One day I found this:
“Even the devil’s eyes can’t be as sharp as the neighbors.” – Heinrich Boll
Though the draft needed so much more work, discovering a quote that captured the essence of the story made me believe it could be a real book.
I’m in the fortunate position once again to consider an epigraph. My memoir, Sad Sacked, which was released as an audiobook in 2021, will come out in print and ebook format June 11, 2024. For anyone new here, the book chronicles the period that came after my husband and I lost our jobs within six weeks of one another. (As I like to say: Don’t try this at home!)
When working on the audiobook, I wasn’t asked for an epigraph, a dedication, or an acknowledgements section. At the time, after shaving my 93,000-word manuscript down to 65,000 words, I was more than happy to avoid writing and editing anything else.
But now that it’ll be in print, I can include those. When I began writing the memoir in 2015, I would often think of the lyrics to Elvis Costello’s “Welcome to the Working Week.” I’ve been a fan since his days with The Attractions straight through his collaboration with Burt Bacharach and beyond. So, naturally, if possible, I wanted to include a couple of lines from that song as the epigraph.
{Side note: I’m also a big fan of author Helen Ellis, who used "Everyday I write the book," (another Elvis Costello lyric and song title) as the epigraph in her whimsical and whip-smart story collection, American Housewife.}
But I wondered, what would it take to get permission to use those lyrics—and, more importantly, would it cost a million dollars? (And if so, would Elvis accept a lifetime supply of pumpkin bread as payment?)
First thing I did was find his manager, who referred me to the publisher who licenses Elvis Costello’s work. Next, I completed a form with all the details about my book, the lyrics I hoped to use, and the number of copies I expected to sell. (This was tough as I wanted to write, “I could move a lot more if Elvis is willing to bring me on tour and help with promotion!” but I resisted.)
I received an auto-response letting me know someone would get back to me within six weeks. In four, I heard back and was granted permission to use the lyrics I’d selected for $300 for the first 10,000 copies.
Anyone who’s familiar with my unemployment saga may be rolling their eyes and thinking, “Oh, geez, Liz, not another reckless expenditure!” But this is probably as close as I’ll ever get to seeing my name beside Elvis’s so how can I not?
So…on that note…I’d love to get your thoughts on the value of epigraphs!
Thank you!
A few years ago, I conducted a little informal poll, asking friends and family how they felt about prologues. I was shocked to learn that most people (like 90%!?!) skip right over them. (Or maybe I’m just hanging with a rebellious literary crew.)
Most readers grimaced as if I were asking if they flossed daily or ate enough leafy greens. Their expressions said, “I know I should, but, yeah, no, I don’t.”
A lot of them felt that if the author had something they wanted to say, they should put it in chapter one. Others regarded prologues as optional, like the opening credits of a movie. A sort of Whatever, just take me to the heart of the story! sentiment. I get it. I remember once skipping the prologue when facing a mountain of summer reading (my children’s favorite oxymoron) and I still feel guilty about it.
So…how do you feel about prologues?
Thank you!
I’ve never asked anyone about epilogues until now (thanks again for indulging me!). But I recently discovered that, much like their prologue counterparts, epilogues may be overlooked by readers.
How did I happen upon this knowledge? I had a reader ask me if I’d considered including a certain scene at the end of The Perfect Neighborhood. Now, granted, my memory isn’t what it used to be, but I do recall writing that scene…in the epilogue. When I mentioned that, my reader’s eyes went wide, a blush spreading across her cheeks as if I’d caught her skimming the Cliffs Notes version of my novel. And that’s when I realized, readers may be skipping epilogues as well.
For me, epilogues have always felt like a fun, not-to-be-missed “extra,” like when I buy my mom a bottle of perfume for her birthday and get a small bonus gift in the form of a cosmetic bag filled with lipsticks the company was unable to sell during the year. Who doesn’t want that?
But…as I’ve begun asking around I’m getting a sense that readers are more, “Hey, just lay it all out there in the last chapter!” than “Sure, I’d love to know what these characters are up to six months from now!”
And with that…
Thank you!
What I’ve been reading/listening to:
I haven’t been reading or listening as much as I’d like this month because I’m trying to finish a manuscript. But here are a few I’ve loved:
My Murder by Katie Williams
I saw this recommended on Instagram by another one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Aimee Mann, and, wow, I adored it. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Rebecca Lowman, who, honestly, I’d listen to if she only read grocery lists and postcards penned by strangers. I think she’s fantastic—and so is this novel, which is so clever and interesting and makes a lot of subtle but powerful points about new motherhood and violence against women. Williams creates so many rich, beautiful metaphors, I may go back and listen again.
Here’s the synopsis: What if the murder you had to solve was your own?
Lou is a happily married mother of an adorable toddler. She’s also the victim of a local serial killer. Recently brought back to life and returned to her grieving family by a government project, she is grateful for this second chance. But as the new Lou re-adapts to her old routines, and as she bonds with other female victims, she realizes that disturbing questions remain about what exactly preceded her death and how much she can really trust those around her.
Putting My Heels Down by Kara Tatelbaum
I saw Kara on the wonderful Writers Bridge webinar and immediately purchased her memoir. I’m in awe of her tenacity not to mention her physical strength and tireless spirit.
Her story, told with humor and grit, will inspire dancers and wallflowers alike. Here’s a bit more about it:
"If your father practiced medicine the way you dance, he'd be under a million lawsuits."
That's what Miss Lorraine used to tell Kara as a young dancer in between yelling, "Put your heels down!" In dance, criticism is considered a compliment, so as a young dancer with short Achilles tendons, tight hamstrings, and knobby knees she fancied herself a star. Thirty years of leotards and tights later, she had to face some hard truths. Maybe she wasn't a dancer after all.
After graduating from a top conservatory and embarking on her Martha Graham dreams, Kara reluctantly chose to teach Pilates to pay the bills. After initially failing her certification thanks to a nasty margarita hangover, she became one of the most sought after Pilates instructors in Manhattan. She cracked herself up, with what could only be described as Pilates stand-up, poking fun at high maintenance clients and gym culture. But, after hitting many unexpected speed bumps in her dance career, what started as a nothing day job had become her everything. And it wasn't funny anymore. Underneath that peppy six-pack Pilates persona was a sad little girl fighting for her dream.
Nostalgia by Melissa Elder
You may recall me gushing about Melissa’s first poetry collection, The Mundane. She’s back with another beauty, and because she’s incredibly generous, she gifted me with an early copy! Just look at that gorgeous cover!
Here’s a bit more about it:
How can a thought, feeling, sound, or smell so quickly whip us back into a memory? Why do these seemingly insignificant moments bubble to the surface? Are they to remind us that we are an accidental collection of experiences or an intentional gallery of actions?
The poetry of Nostalgia highlights the memories of the melancholy, the struggle, and the joy of a single life, Melissa's life.
Where I’ll be:
Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m., I’ll be a guest on A Might Blaze, chatting with host Joe Moldover and Abigael, manager of The Book House. To check it out, visit @amightyblaze on YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter to catch either the livestream or, after the talk, the video.
Speaking of The Book House, Lee Kelly and I had a great time celebrating the launch of her gripping novel, With Regrets. We’re taking our show on the road and will visit The Doylestown Bookshop on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. We’ll be talking about suspense in suburbia and all things writing. We’d love to see you there!
And now for that gratuitous cat photo I promised:
As always, I wish you great reading and writing!
Love the cat photo, meow :)
Oh Liz, I loved this post — I read it on the go, and totally forgot to comment! HUGE congrats on the print release of Sad Sacked, I listened to on Audible and SO enjoyed it, I keep meaning to message you to let you know!! So much resonated, and it was great hear you read your story (I love audible for memoir for exactly this reason). I also love reading everything, acknowledgements — all of it (sometimes I skip ahead to them, depending on how rebellious I'm feeling! :)).