Confused by submission guidelines

Yuallica said:

They want the full manuscript attached to the email if that makes a difference. I'm just a bit confused and don't want to end up including the wrong thing.

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When in doubt, do EXACTLY what they told you.

I'd interpret that as a query - ie, the plot pitch and any bits about you. I would not submit a query plus a separate synopsis.

~suki

Don't you love conflicting advice. I wish there were steadfast rules.
I've had this come up too. I try to follow the exact wording, but I'm new to all this so I'm certainly not an expert.
Suki- in what instance would you send a separate synopsis? (if you're right I've goofed on one or two)

When they ask for a three page synopsis (or a one page synopsis). To me, also , this instruction says give the query pitch, which is in essence a short explanation of the plot. I always write mine as if I were writing the blurb for the back of the book, because it has to be both brief and interesting.

Some places will ask for a complete synopsis, not more than 1-3 pages, including every plot point and the ending.

PinkAmy said:

Don't you love conflicting advice. I wish there were steadfast rules.
I've had this come up too. I try to follow the exact wording, but I'm new to all this so I'm certainly not an expert.
Suki- in what instance would you send a separate synopsis? (if you're right I've goofed on one or two)

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Sorry, I just saw your question. I would only send a separate synopsis if they said to send a query and a synopsis or, like Christine suggested, they specify the length of the synopsis. Otherwise, I treated the "synopsis" as the small bit of plot in the query.

If you send a good query, and they like what they see, they can always ask for more.

~suki

I'm with suki, just to throw another vote her way. When I see guidelines like that, I interpret it as describing what a query letter does. A lot of people don't understand a query letter and don't actually give a brief summary of the book. Just take a look at the Query Shark and you can see what I mean, and those are people who have done their research.

I'd only send an extra synopsis if they asked for a query and synopsis.

Thank you! There is just so much to know!

kaitie said:

I'm with suki, just to throw another vote her way. When I see guidelines like that, I interpret it as describing what a query letter does. A lot of people don't understand a query letter and don't actually give a brief summary of the book. Just take a look at the Query Shark and you can see what I mean, and those are people who have done their research.

I'd only send an extra synopsis if they asked for a query and synopsis.

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Ditto!

Also keep in mind what kind of a publisher you're dealing with. More small presses (including mine) are relaxing the query letter/submission process a bit. The old formula is fine for some people, but many small publishers are looking for not just a manuscript, but a human being to deal with. Mostly this is because small presses tend to work more closely with their authors on all aspects of the book. But it's also a result of the move to digital submissions, because I can still tell from a query letter whether I'm interested in the ms or not, but if it's already attached to the email, then I don't have to write back to the author and wait for it and potentially forget about it or have it move farther down the pile.

So if the publisher is not one of the big houses, and the overall tone of their website doesn't strike you and primpy and businesslike, then don't stress so much. I see most younger (under 40) editors being less interested in whether the query letter fits the exact prototypical standards of yore than in whether the manuscript's any good. Because really, that's what's important.

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