Asked to submit...now how to outline my friggin' novel?!

bylinebree · May 1, 2006

I was asked to submit my novel to a major publishing house...and it's driving me crazy to outline the thing! I hate outlining, argh! I don't think in outlines!

Anyone have a good reference to help with this?

The editor asked for this:
"An outline of the book by chapter, showing the main plots points, character development, and elements of the fantasy world."

Wish I'd have asked her for more details, but I was blinking in shock that she asked for it. She also wants a one-page summary, 2 sample chapters and a query letter (or course).

I want to do this right -- Can anyone give me pointers? Thanks :e2sling:

James D. Macdonald · May 1, 2006

Okay -- the chapter by chapter:

Chapter One

One paragraph describing what happens, to whom.

Chapter Two:

Another paragraph.

And so on.

The whole thing should form a story when read aloud. Present tense, single spaced, Times Roman okay. Hit the high points, don't explain more than you have to. The editor already told you exactly what to put in it.

One page summary: The same, only shorter. Something that can be Xeroxed and handed around at the editorial meeting. Don't forget to include the ending. They aren't looking for surprises; they want to know if you have an entire book.

Two sample chapters: Those will be chapters one and two. You already have them.

Cover letter:

Lists title, genre, and wordcount.

One paragraph describing your (relevant) experience. List of recent/prestigious publications.

Cover letters are brief, and don't contain marketing-hype/back-cover-blurb language.

bylinebree · May 1, 2006

James,

I was thinking in terms of formal outline like
I.
A.
(1)
Etc.

Yours is simpler, thanks. I have something like it already that I used to write the synopsis. This may go faster than I realized!

Erk, will they actually pass this around at an editorial meeting? That sounds very...um...intimidating. But great, too. Guess I pictured more of an ed. assistant reading it first or something.

The tips about the cover letter were helpful, too, because the draft I had did sound like a book-cover-blurb. Why beat it to death when they'll also have a one-page summary, etc.

Very helpful. Thanks.

Monet · May 2, 2006

When an outline of a novel is requested, it isn't an 'outline'

A. jldjasfjdfjfsl
1. kdjajdjaj
2. askjda;d

B. jdfakljdl;

etc. etc. etc.

It is a short synopsis of each chapter - one chapter per page - showing the beginning of the chapter, characters and plots lines in the chapter, and the end of the chapter, in 2-3 paragraphs.

Asked to submit...now how to outline my friggin' novel?!

bylinebree

Still Seeking the Dream

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

bylinebree

Still Seeking the Dream

Monet