Querying Without a Synopsis?

DonnaDuck · Apr 28, 2010

Is this a query faux pas? My manuscript is done. My query letter is nearly completed. Should I write and finish a synopsis to have on hand before I start sending out queries, just in case? I know a lot of agencies don't require them but the last thing I want is to be a deer in headlights when an agent says, "send me your synopsis."

Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch!

Ineti · Apr 28, 2010

You're almost certainly going to need a complete synopsis at some point in the process, whether the agent or editor guidelines ask for one or not. Having one ready to go will make you that much more prepared when the agent or editor ask for it.

And, writing synopses is good practice anyway. Good luck!

CaroGirl · Apr 28, 2010

Writing a synopsis can be devilish difficult and you'll definitely need to send one to someone, sometime. Start writing it now so you don't hurt your chances by sending a synopsis you had to dash off in a few hours.

cscarlet · Apr 28, 2010

Many of the submission guidelines I've seen recently require a synopsis with your initial query.

In these cases, if you query without a synopsis, it's possible you might receive an immediate rejection simply for not following directions.

DonnaDuck · Apr 28, 2010

Eep! I guess I'll start in on that synopsis then! Thanks, everyone!

brainstorm77 · Apr 28, 2010

Yup, most seen to require it.

shaldna · Apr 29, 2010

Most of the agents and publishers I have come across want a synopsis. After all, how else are they going to know the plot of your book?

A query letter piques interest, and your sample chapters show you can write. But the synopsis shows what the story actually is.

justAnotherWriter · Apr 29, 2010

I wrote a synopsis for a recent novel and used it twice out of 100 queries. A more recent novel got a synopsis that was never used, with 120 queries out the door. And my latest one...well, I didn't even get to query that one. Bummer.

RJK · Apr 29, 2010

Write the synopsis. It will probably help you refine your query letter.

Horserider · Apr 29, 2010

DonnaDuck said:
Is this a query faux pas? My manuscript is done. My query letter is nearly completed. Should I write and finish a synopsis to have on hand before I start sending out queries, just in case? I know a lot of agencies don't require them but the last thing I want is to be a deer in headlights when an agent says, "send me your synopsis."

Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch!

Coming from someone that had to write a synopsis last minute to send with a full request, I'd say YES. Write the synopsis now rather than waiting until later. I also agree, yes there are a lot of agents that now request a synopsis along with the query. It's a nice thing to have so you're prepared.

Jamesaritchie · Apr 29, 2010

You don't usually need a synopsis with a query letter, though a query letter is, more or less, a synopsis in its own right. But you will need one as soon as a partial or full is requested.

The agent is likely to use your synopsis to help sell an editor on the book, and the editor is likely to use your synopsis to sell the acquisition board on your book. So write a good one. No pressure, right?

DonnaDuck · Apr 29, 2010

No, none at all! Thanks, everyone!

Jess Haines · Apr 30, 2010

Huh. Am I the only one here who landed an agent and sold a book without a synopsis?

It may or may not be necessary. You might want to have one just in case, but it may not be needed.

justAnotherWriter · Apr 30, 2010

Jess Haines said:
Huh. Am I the only one here who landed an agent and sold a book without a synopsis?

It may or may not be necessary. You might want to have one just in case, but it may not be needed.

No, you're not, I did too (at least the agent part). But...now I need them for all my other books. Since I wrote them just in case, I only have to write one now.

It certainly doesn't hurt to have one, but I hardly needed them in querying.

Kitty27 · Apr 30, 2010

I say write one because you never know.

One of my dream agents requires a synopsis and I wrote the damned thing. Now I make it a rule to write one for each of my books.*cries*

Kelsey · Apr 30, 2010

Can anyone recommend a good source for learning to write a synopsis?

Jamesaritchie · Apr 30, 2010

Jess Haines said:
Huh. Am I the only one here who landed an agent and sold a book without a synopsis?

It may or may not be necessary. You might want to have one just in case, but it may not be needed.

The agent didn't even ask for a synopsis after taking on the novel? That's not only rare, it's downright weird.

cscarlet · Apr 30, 2010

Kelsey said:
Can anyone recommend a good source for learning to write a synopsis?

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84990

(if you haven't been to the SYW section, the password is "vista")

Jess Haines · May 1, 2010

Jamesaritchie said:
The agent didn't even ask for a synopsis after taking on the novel? That's not only rare, it's downright weird.

Nope. It went sort of like this:

I query. She asks for partial. I send partial. She asks for the full. I send the full. She tells me she wants to represent me (WOO HOO!). After the contract was signed, we had a bit of back and forth on edits. Then she started shopping the book around, and within a couple months, I had a three book deal with Kensington.

Weird? Maybe. But everything worked out okay for me without any synopsis. I have been asked by my editor for outlines of future books and novellas, but that's about it.

Querying Without a Synopsis?

DonnaDuck

My Worlds Are Building

Ineti

Purveyor of Prose

CaroGirl

Living the dream

cscarlet

AW = Procrastination.

DonnaDuck

My Worlds Are Building

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

justAnotherWriter

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

Horserider

Ever onward

Jamesaritchie

DonnaDuck

My Worlds Are Building

Jess Haines

Boldly going nowhere in particular.

justAnotherWriter

Kitty27

So Goth That I Was Born Black

Kelsey

Book Slut

Jamesaritchie

cscarlet

AW = Procrastination.

Jess Haines

Boldly going nowhere in particular.