MSI Press Blog

In publishing, timing and context matter. One of the most overlooked distinctions is between a precerpt and an excerpt. Both involve sharing a portion of a book, but they serve different purposes and carry different risks and rewards. 📝 What’s a Precerpt? A precerpt is a draft excerpt shared before publication—often before the manuscript is finalized. It’s a sneak peek into the work-in-progress, used to spark interest among agents, editors, or early readers. Think of it as a “rough cut” trailer. Advantages: • Book Acquisition: Shows potential and voice early, even if the manuscript isn’t polished. Can help secure representation or a publishing deal. • Book Promotion: Builds anticipation among insiders (beta readers, influencers, reviewers) who like being “in on the secret.” • Book Marketing: Creates buzz in niche communities, but usually limited in scope since the book isn’t yet available for purchase. Disadvantages: • Risk of misrepresenting the final book if the draft change...

  Precerpt from  Raising God’s Rainbow Makers (Mahlou) Noelle: Finding a Way There’s a rare kind of specialist—one who doesn’t just follow the rules but rewrites them with compassion and creativity. Parents of children with disabilities know how precious these people are. They’re not just professionals; they’re lifelines. Andi, Noelle’s physical therapist, was one of those rare gems. Undeterred by limitations, she saw possibility where others saw delay. Noelle had to wait for several operations before she could be fitted for braces. Most would have paused therapy until the hardware arrived. Not Andi. She worked on strengthening Noelle’s muscles in advance, preparing her body for the moment it could move freely. So when Noelle finally received her braces at age three, she didn’t just stand—she walked. Immediately. Her joy was electric. We celebrated at McDonald’s, where a woman in the next line kept staring at Noelle’s braces. Noelle, unaware of any stigma, beamed and said, “Hi...

  Precerpt (excerpt from book prior to publication):  Raising God's Rainbow Makers  (Mahlou) Doah was a surprise (well, so were the other three) who quite fortuitously was predicted to be born in Pittsburgh, PA around Christmas Day 1977 -- semester break from my studies at near-by Renboro University. However, it was my grandson, Nathaniel, who ended up being born on Christmas day. Doah was born quite early, messing up both my teaching schedule and studies (and creating quite a lot of subsequent havoc due to all his medical issues -- 30 years later, he is still creating havoc, mostly due to his overly inquisitive and highly extroverted nature, coupled with some serious mental challenges). I don't remember all my labors, but I do remember Doah's. I went into labor while teaching a foreign language class! I managed to make it through the class (my stubborn nature, which does not always serve me well) and asked one of the students in the "college over 60" program to s...