Write a Book Introduction in 30 Minutes (Free 5 Ws)
A book introduction has three jobs: orient the reader, promise the journey, and make them want to keep turning pages. If you want to hook your reader, here's how to do it.
Kym Vincenti
10/7/20251 min read
Your book’s opening has three jobs: orient the reader, promise the journey, and make them want to keep turning pages. The quickest way to do that? The 5 Ws — a five-question framework you can complete in 10–30 minutes.
What are the 5 Ws?
What — What is this book about in one clear line?
Why — Why does it matter now? What result or change are you promising?
Who — Who are you, and why should we trust you to guide us?
When — When should the reader apply this? What timeline are we in?
Where — Where will this book take them? What destination or transformation?
Grab the free template: Download the 5 Ws Book Introduction Blueprint at the end of this blog — it includes Business, Memoir, and Fiction examples.
Fill it in (10–30 minutes)
Set a timer. Answer each W in 1–2 sentences:
What: “This book shows [who] how to [result] without [common fear].”
Why: “Because [pain/urgency], and this method is different because [USP].”
Who: “I’m [credibility in one line].”
When: “Use it when [moment] so you can [quick benefit].”
Where: “By the end, you’ll move from [start] to [finish].”
Stitch your answers into a 1–2 page intro
Start with Why (the relevance hook).
Add What (the clear promise).
Drop in Who (one-line credibility).
Set When (context/urgency).
Close with Where (the destination) + a sentence inviting them to begin.
Example close:
“By the last page, you won’t just have pages — you’ll have a hook and a simple path to grabbing a readers attention.
Common mistakes to avoid
Vague promise: swap “helpful tips” for a concrete result.
Backstory overload: save the long origin story for chapter one.
No ‘why now’: give the reader a reason to care today.
