Book excerpt: Readers subconsciously want certain things from a book...and best-selling writers make sure they deliver it. Thanks to evolution, the magic of story is wired into our brains-some of us can articulate why, many of us can't-but science certainly can. Story serves a unique function in the human psyche, a purpose so vital to our success as a species that humans are inescapably drawn to it. The multibillion-dollar publishing industry is a testament to this. But readers aren't drawn to any old story, there are certain elements that tip the scales between the slush pile and the yes pile, the bottom-dwellers and the best-sellers, the meh books and the holy-hardcover-I-can't-put-this-down! books. And now you can discover exactly what these elements are. Packed with real-life examples and practical exercises, Hook your Reader breaks down the essential components of chart-busting books. Writers of all genres and experience levels will learn how to: Give readers what they are really looking for Capture their readers by sparking curiosity Engage their readers with the power of emotion Craft a compelling character that readers can't help but connect with From the unique perspective of practicing psychologist and best-selling author, Tamar Sloan, Hook Your Readers allows you to hack your reader's brain by creating a book that they'll be unable to put down. So, go ahead, discover what makes a best-selling book and why, but more importantly, how you can write one too.