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Each editor/publisher wants your synopsis in a certain way
and guidelines can be requested with an SASE (self addressed stamped envelope).
Some want a 2-page synopsis while others want a more detailed 20-page. If there
is no specified length, try to keep your synopsis to 10 or 12 double spaced
pages.
The
editor wants to know what your character’s conflict is going to be and whether
it is strong enough to hold readers to your novel. Then they decide how well
you've built on that conflict throughout the story and whether it will hold the
readers attention through to the end. The editor will also want to be convinced
that your book fits in the genre that they
publish – otherwise you’re wasting their time and yours.
**Remember:
Editors usually read your sample chapters first. Once they’ve decided if they
like your writing, then they read your synopsis to see if you have created a
compelling novel.
Some
key questions to answer in a synopsis
What
is this story about?
Who
are the main characters?
What
do these characters want?
Why
do they want it?
What
stands in their way of getting it?
How
to write a synopsis
Write
your synopsis in the present tense.
Focus
on your characters and what is happening to them.
Give
the editor a sense of the setting, tone and pace of your novel – they are your
reader and you have to entice them.
Make
sure you follow the editor’s instructions/guidelines for your synopsis. Some
editors ask for short, single spaced synopses. Others like longer synopses that
are double-spaced.
Don’t
just reproduce the first pages of your novel. Make your synopsis as creative as
you can but it must also be a true representation of your story at the same
time.
Do
not leave out your ‘cliff-hangers’. As hard as it is, you have to tell them
exactly what happens in your book – this means everything!
Include
all the sub-plots and how they interact/affect your main plot and characters.
Don’t
include your character’s physical description unless it affects the plot in an
important way (i.e. ‘Kathy’ has long brown curly hair, brown eyes, and a
beautiful smile…etc. It is more of; ‘Kathy’s stubborn streak only increased her
chances of coming to blows with ‘Richard’…).
Don’t
include any secondary characters unless they are important to the plot and also
affect your main characters.
Put
your name and the book title in the upper right
hand corner. Papers easily get shuffled and this helps keep your submission
together.
Try
reading your synopsis aloud to yourself. Listen to the flow of your sentences.
You’ll find room for reconstruction by doing this and it will make all the
difference for your synopsis. Also have someone read it out loud and listen to
how it sounds as a second party – this will give you a good indication of what
the editor will read/hear in your synopsis.
If
you’re still having trouble creating your synopsis, try writing a brief
descriptive paragraph like those found on the backs of novels. Try summing up
your book in that way first. Be explosive. Then begin to expand it from there,
making sure to include all the important events of your book and main character
information.
**Important:
If and when the editor requests to see your manuscript, make sure you mark your
proposal/manuscript ‘requested material’ on the outside of the package so it
will not get buried in the ‘slush’ pile. This will ensure that your editor will
get your manuscript immediately.
Writing
a synopsis is not an impossible feat and but it does take time, energy, and
patience. When writing your synopsis, write with confidence. A synopsis is your
way of selling your novel. Take your time in writing it.
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