I am making a list of agents and what they want for submissions. Some want a detailed synopsis or just a synopsis or a short synopsis. What is the difference between the three? Do I need to write one for each or are they all basically the same?
Synopsis Lengths
- Thread starter kitytize
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In my experience, synopses come in three types: one-page, 3-5 page, and chapter-by-chapter (also called a chapter outline). A short synopsis is the one-page, and a detailed synopsis is the 3-5 pager. Only very rarely will you see a request for the chapter outline.
Juliette is right on here. I also write a 250 word synopsis. I've been asked for one of those as well, and it's useful for those sites that have submission forms. If you write synopses of this length and those mentioned above, you should be all set no matter what they ask for. If they don't specify length, I would send the one you feel reads the best for that particular work.
In the movie trade these terms all mean the same thing, one page.
Screenplays run between 105 and 120 pages so can be summarized in one page without too much adieu. And that's what agents and producers and d-people want, little adieu. They can see in a page if your script may be worth a read. You need a logline too.
It's different in publishing, where the differing terms do have meaning. Most publishers and literary agencies mount submission guidelines on their websites which usually specify a length for a synopses. If you encounter one who does not, the best advice has already been given, use the one you think best conveys your tale using the least amount of paper.
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