By The Book by Matt Read

Word Count: 4436 words | Critique type preference: In Person

Content warnings:

None

Author Notes:

This is the foreword and first chapter of a completed Sci-fi novel.

• Does the setting seem real?
• Is the initial conflict clear?
• Do you get a clear sense of the characters?

In short: Does this opening work? And would you read on (for another 100k)?

Submitted: 6 June 2025

Last updated: 11 June 2026 at 13:17

Author Email: ma*******@***il.com