How long is a "short synopsis"?

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Cathy C

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ETA: Agree with maestro about the stage. My advice is presuming you're at the partial/full stage.
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A "short" synopsis is generally considered one page, single spaced. A traditional synopsis is from 2-5 single-spaced pages (or 6-10 double spaced). Any longer than that, and most agents/editors call it an "outline."

The next size down, FWIW, is what's known in the industry as a "thumbnail sketch" or "thumbnail synopsis." It's one paragraph and is normally not longer than a half-page. But if they wanted a thumbnail, they'd ask for it that way.

Hope that helps. Good luck! :)
 
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Cathy C

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Okay, for a synopsis WITHIN a query, it's a paragraph---possibly two. The entire letter, including address header and signature block, should only be one page. A query synopsis should be very basic. You just want to give them enough of the story that it intrigues them.

Once an agent/editor likes the concept and requests a "synopsis plus a partial manuscript," THEN they're looking for the one to two page synopsis. It's significantly more detailed than a query synopsis, and includes the resolution of all major plot points.

Does that make sense?
 
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Cathy C said:
Okay, for a synopsis WITHIN a query, it's a paragraph---possibly two. The entire letter, including address header and signature block, should only be one page. A query synopsis should be very basic. You just want to give them enough of the story that it intrigues them.

Once an agent/editor likes the concept and requests a "synopsis plus a partial manuscript," THEN they're looking for the one to two page synopsis. It's significantly more detailed than a query synopsis, and includes the resolution of all major plot points.

Does that make sense?
Click to expand...

Yes, thank you very much!


maestrowork said:
We already said it's only 1 or 2 paragraph long for query. ;)
Click to expand...

You're right, I must have read it wrong. :) Thanks!
 
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