Epigraphs and Epigrams—Threads-of-Red Style

Wait, What?

They thought they were walking separate paths—nothing more than strangers. They did not know that an invisible red thread was already pulling them to their shared destiny.

WHAT THE HECK ARE EPIGRAPHS AND EPIGRAMS?

An epigraph is a short phrase, relevant quote written by someone other than the author, or brief poem placed at the beginning of a book or chapter. While also concise, an epigram is written by the book’s author. It can be soulful, pithy, or hint at a deeper meaning. Some authors use this technique for stylistic effect to set their story’s tone, offer an indirect clue to readers about the plot, or to lock in a theme. They are commonly displayed under a chapter heading which can be as simple as a chapter number, or a full chapter title.

It’s important to note that epigraphs used by authors must be in the public domain. Because they are not being used for critical analysis, 'fair use' protections do not apply. This means that, contrary to popular belief, authors cannot legally add any quote they come across to their chapters without permission—even if it is only a line or two—lest they open themselves up to a potential lawsuit. Lifting a sentence or two from a beloved book to sit at the top of a chapter for decoration and to set the mood is not considered critical analysis. Nor is it safe to legally include a quote just because you think it’s old. It’s only allowed under certain circumstances discussed below. Furthermore, finding a quote on the internet does not necessarily mean that it is in the public domain, that it has been attributed appropriately, or that it uses the correct phrasing. Do your research.

Enter—Criminal Minds. Say what? Yep, you read that correctly. When I began drafting Threads of Red over a dozen years ago, I envisioned using established, meaningful quotes at the beginning of every chapter. Why, you ask? Because I am a huge Criminal Minds fan—I answer. So, what does a television show or the FBI’s BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) have to do with any of this? Every Criminal Minds episode has a quote at the beginning and end, spoken by one of the show’s characters. I loved this idea and quickly began to create a list of quotes, relevant to my story, to be used at the beginning of every chapter.

Stay with me here. Skip ahead to the present day when I’m about to send the full Threads of Red manuscript to a publisher. Uh-oh, I’m binge-watching Criminal Minds when I realize the beginning quote is one I have used. That’s not the problem. The issue is I cited the wrong author. Oops! Now I’m in full-on panic mode and compelled to comb through every epigraph in my manuscript so that none of them will get red-flagged by a publisher or literary agent. In doing this I came across rules that I never knew existed.

PUBLIC DOMAIN CUT-OFF RULES

The 1929 Rule

This is used to determine if a quote requires formal copyright permission.

Published Before January 1, 1929: Phew! According to the Library of Congress, you’re epigraph is safe to use. No permission or fee is required.

Published After 1929: Not so fast! Do your research. According to Sierra IP Law, the work may still be protected by copyright. You must either secure formal written permission from the publisher/estate or author or risk copyright infringement. For me it was easier to choose a different quote.

The Poetry and Song Rule: Yikes! The same rules apply to song lyrics and poems. Music and poetry publishers may peruse legal action against authors who plunk down even a single line of their work without paying a licensing fee.

Once you’ve vetted the quote, song lyric, or line of poetry you wish to use and established its legal safety, follow these rules for trimming.

1.     Trimming from the Middle: Use Ellipses

As discussed above, epigraphs are short, punchy lines. If you take a longer line and remove words from the middle, you must use an ellipsis. This alerts readers that you’ve bridged two separate parts of the same thought. You may need to use more than one depending on how much of the sentence you cut out.

Original: When love has fused and mingled two beings in a sacred and angelic unity, the secret of life has been discovered so far as they are concerned; they are no longer anything more than the two boundaries of the same destiny; they are no longer anything but the two wings of the same spirit. Love, soar. — Victor Hugo

As an Epigraph: When love has fused and mingled two beings . . . they are no longer anything more than the two boundaries of the same destiny. — Victor Hugo

*** Chapter 12—Threads of Red I use this quote as an epigraph in Chapter 12. It is the first meeting of the two main characters, Ellie and Ezekiel, yet the epigraph hints that in this chapter they will finally awaken to their destined red-threaded connection as fated mates. (Is this true? Catch a red thread and find out. 2026 Release Date Coming Soon)

2. Trimming from the Beginning: No Ellipses

If you start your epigraph halfway through an author's original sentence or paragraph, do not begin the epigraph with three dots (...). Make a clean start by capitalizing the first word of your excerpt.

• Incorrect: . . . Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; — Emily Brontë

• Correct: Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. — Emily Brontë

  
  

*** Chapter 36—Threads of Red This quote fits perfectly in this chapter when taken on its surface—despite the negative connotation it implies in Wuthering Heights. In this chapter, Ellie and Ezekiel solidify their deep, soul-level bond in the most beautiful way possible and recognize that they are literally made of the same cosmic fabric. (You will need to read the book to understand how and why. Let Threads of Red whisk you away with its fated and magical love story - 2026 Release Date Coming Soon)

3. Trimming from the End: No Ellipses

Place a standard period at the end of your excerpt if you choose to end your epigraph before the author's original sentence or paragraph finishes.

• Incorrect: Rumor is a pipe blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures . . .

• Correct: Rumor is a pipe blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures.

*** Chapter 24—Threads of Red I picked this quote because it speaks to what Ellie must endure as Ezekiel’s mate. He is, after all, a Hollywood A-list celeb in the direct eye of public scrutiny. The rumor mill, paparazzi, and envious fans whose opinions don’t count are a constant and inevitable part of stardom. How will Ellie deal with this? Will she fold under the pressure, run away, or face it all head-on? (Read the novel to find out and root for Ellie- 2026 Release Date Coming Soon)

CAN’T FIND A QUOTE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN? CREATE AN EPIGRAM:

1. Add your own homemade quote with no attribution.

I couldn’t find a suitable quote in the public domain and I didn’t have time to reach out to current authors to ask permission, so I created my own. In this instance, the quote just hangs there without an author attribution.

He felt a fierce, primal desire to protect her—to wrap her in his own arms and become her steel fortress.

*** Chapter 34—Threads of Red. An obsessive stalker isn’t the only threat the couple faces; another Hollywood actor sets his sights on Ellie. He’s a narcissistic, misogynistic pig who has too much power and money. Ellie handles herself quite well at the fundraiser, but when an enraged Ezekiel approaches the duo, he defends Ellie’s honor and protects her virtue. The stakes rise when an uninvited couple tries to gain entry to the event. Ezekiel kicks his protective instinct into high gear. Along with security, he quickly escorts his love out of harm’s way and establishes new security measures to keep her safe. (Does the stalker have a partner? Who is it? Who is lurking in the background?- Escape into this epic romance to see what unfolds. - 2026 Release Date Coming Soon)

2. Add a homemade quote but attribute it to another character’s journal or voice. Unleash your imagination.

Using a quote within the public domain wasn’t possible, so I created one and attributed it to a deceased character who imparted her wisdom to Ezekiel to help guide his career and love life. She visits him in dreams with timely messages and comes to Ellie during a psychic reading insisting that her and Ezekiel are meant to be.

Dreams may carry dizzying beauty, but reality can be far more spectacular. — The Wisdom of Grandma Dahlia Grace

*** Chapter 15—Threads of Red. After spending her first night with Ezekiel and waking up on her birthday, she questions whether she dreamed the night before. Had her wish really come true? She will soon find out that a life with him is more vivid and amazing than anything she could have ever imagined.

(Drop into the living, breathing world of Ezekiel and Ellie when Threads of Red is released in 2026 - Coming Soon)

Decide for yourself whether epigraphs or epigrams are right for your novel and your artistic style.