Excerpts allow readers to read sections of books that an author enjoyed writing, or a reader has mentioned that they loved a scene. They can also be used as an essential tool to show importance of specific sections and show the writing style of the author.
This is the original artwork for The Egyptian Heir's cover
Artwork by: Rebecca Romphf
Though this is not an excerpt, it is a beautiful piece of art that I want to share! Rebecca took my horrible sketch and created exactly what I was imagining for my cover.
The bullying truly begins
This excerpt is when Cassy truly learns that she is being the target of bullying, but with a twist. She is confused and doesn't understand how Zack can switch on and off the aggression. At one moment he will say horrible things to her, and then in the same moment, as her to go out.
“You’re still going to deny my request?” Zack wondered softly.
Cassy slammed the knife down, unable to focus on cutting the vegetables while her annoyance grew at his question. “If it has anything to do with you, I will never agree to it.”
His pestering hardly ceased before he tried his hand at a new tactic and started to add friendly conversation. Anytime someone came too close, he spewed out mockery. Once they were out of hearing distance, he reverted to a soft-spoken boy as they worked. Cassy’s migraine of confusion increased. Eventually, he decided to add in a small tidbit that sent her into a spiral of nausea.
“Somehow the school caught wind of me tormenting you. . .”
Did Vince tell Michael?
He placed their pizza onto the metal pan and tossed it into the oven to bake for twenty minutes. “Since we were still on school property, I’ve received two more detentions because of you.”
She sealed her lips from shouting aloud and altered her glance to the floor. Before she knew it, he was tight against her, with a hand creeping up her arm.
“Prepare yourself for some trouble.”
Cassy slammed the knife down, unable to focus on cutting the vegetables while her annoyance grew at his question. “If it has anything to do with you, I will never agree to it.”
His pestering hardly ceased before he tried his hand at a new tactic and started to add friendly conversation. Anytime someone came too close, he spewed out mockery. Once they were out of hearing distance, he reverted to a soft-spoken boy as they worked. Cassy’s migraine of confusion increased. Eventually, he decided to add in a small tidbit that sent her into a spiral of nausea.
“Somehow the school caught wind of me tormenting you. . .”
Did Vince tell Michael?
He placed their pizza onto the metal pan and tossed it into the oven to bake for twenty minutes. “Since we were still on school property, I’ve received two more detentions because of you.”
She sealed her lips from shouting aloud and altered her glance to the floor. Before she knew it, he was tight against her, with a hand creeping up her arm.
“Prepare yourself for some trouble.”
Music can bring calm
This excerpt shows how even in the pits of an endless hell, music can bring the calm to fears and anxieties.
Cassy and Zack laid on the floor, side by side. The clouds flashed by, and the lights splashed away with the sunset. Zack hummed a nameless tune while Cassy contemplated how fast everything had changed. Eventually, she concentrated on Zack’s music. She stroked his chest, enjoying the tranquility that they could have while in such a horrible predicament.
