Synopsis Format

brinkett · Feb 17, 2005

I know that synopses are to be single-spaced, 12pt, Times New Roman, usually a couple of pages. I'm having a problem finding out what else is supposed to be included and where. Every site differs. Some say put your name and title in the upper left corner, some say upper right. Some say include a slug line (is this necessary for two pages?). Some say include word count, some don't. Perhaps these details don't matter as long as the synopsis is decent, but I'd like to follow the expected norm.

Can someone enlighten me on what's generally done? TIA.

azbikergirl · Feb 17, 2005

Check out this topic:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6707
Lots of helpful input on the subject.

brinkett · Feb 17, 2005

It does contain a lot of useful info (that I've already sucked up and hopefully put to good use - thanks y'all), but it doesn't answer the question of what extraneous info has to be included and where.

katdad · Feb 17, 2005

There is no mandated format to a synopsis. It should be clean, neat, and highly readable. Most synopses are about 4 pages.

One 'rule' is that you must "tell all". Don't play coy and fail to reveal the ending. Remember that you're not writing a teaser or cover blurb.

What I do is spend maybe 2-3 paragraphs up front to describe my mystery novels and the "world" of my protagonist. Then I proceed to tell the story in a fairly interesting, breezy manner.

I put my contact information at the very bottom of the last page.

So it might begin (with proper centering and bold headers and such):

Sudden Storm
a Mitch King mystery
by Sam Waas

Mitch King Mysteries
(general intro about the novels and my protagonist)

Synopsis
Warren Albertson is a wealthy investment banker. He hires Mitch to find his wandering trophy wife, Valerie. Mitch is asked to persuade Valerie to return, give the marriage another try.

The marriage is a shaky one, exacerbated by tension between their two teenage daughters. Warren's daughter Paula is reserved, quiet, and protective of her father. Valerie's daughter Cheryl is the opposite -- impulsive and rebellious.
(etc)

brinkett · Feb 17, 2005

Thanks, katdad. I wonder where I got the idea that a synopsis should be about two pages? Lately, I've read so many articles about synopses that it's all a blur. Oh well, I started out with four pages and sweated to get it down to two. Reading them both now, I think the two page one is snappier (certainly tighter), so I may use that one anyway.

JuliePgh · Feb 17, 2005

Brinkett,

You may have read 1 set of guidelines that required 2 pages. The one I'm writing is supposed to be 1-2 pages per the publisher's guidelines. That's part of why I'm having trouble going from 110,000 words down to 2 pages without leaving holes.

SRHowen · Feb 17, 2005

Many publishers will ask for a synop of a certian length. I actually teach a workshop on writing synops.

Some like my format, some don't, but I've never had a complaint.

Shawn

brinkett · Feb 17, 2005

JuliePgh said:
You may have read 1 set of guidelines that required 2 pages. The one I'm writing is supposed to be 1-2 pages per the publisher's guidelines. That's part of why I'm having trouble going from 110,000 words down to 2 pages without leaving holes.

You could be right because there doesn't seem to be a standard length.

And yes, it's tough to distill a novel down to a brief summary but it can be done. Focus on the main plot/characters and pretend everything else doesn't exist no matter how tempted you are to throw it in. If you already have a synopsis but it's too long, read it over and ask yourself as you go, "If I pull this out, can the reader still follow the plot?" If the answer is yes, delete it.

katdad · Feb 17, 2005

Two pages is fine

brinkett said:
I wonder where I got the idea that a synopsis should be about two pages? etc

Two pages is fine. So is 4-5. Depends on the agent or publisher who asks for the summary. If you've got a nice 2-pager, it will be great for anyone. 4-5 pages are the upper limit.

A summary on the other hand is maybe 1/2 page at most, just a raw breakdown of the story:

Hamlet returns from college to find his father King Hamlet dead, his mother hastily remarried to the dead king's brother. Young Hamlet is suspicious from the outset, and his worst fears are materialized when the ghost of his father confirms that he was indeed murdered by his brother. Now Hamlet must plot revenge while avoiding the clutches of his now-powerful uncle.

That's a summary. Kind of like reading from a neutral flyleaf.

gp101 · Feb 18, 2005

From the various web sites I've visited, and from the info I've gathered from these boards, this is what I've learned about synopses (besides the fact that they're evil):

There's the one-page (single spaced), the short synopsis (3-5 pages, double-spaced), and the long synopsis (up to 10 pages double-spaced). Didn't find much info for the one-page variety. But for the other two, there was lots of advice. Both have a running header and page count, TNR preferred, paragraphs are not indented, but a space between each paragraph is required. Top left corner of the first page in both short and long synopses should contain the title, your name, genre, page count, and word count. Presumably they expect contact info on the cover letter or title page of your novel (unless they only request a synopsis, in which case I assume you'd include it under your name in the upper left corner of the first page). All three synopses are present tense and fast-paced.

The first paragraph should be your HOOK; that blurb that summarizes your premise and grabs the reader's interest. The other paragraphs should focus on major plotpoints only, while integrating major characters. More latitude is allowed with long synopses where subplots nad minor characters can be examined. Paragraphs should flow smoothly and logically into each other, and sound like a person telling a short story in first person. Major twists and the resolution need to be mentioned. Avoid open-ended questions like will she ever find him? Will he save the world? It was also recommeded that the synopsis be written in the same style as the novel to show the author's voice, but they caution against overdoing it.

Well, that's a summary of the info I've gathered together. I'm not claiming any of this is right, but I'm going with ideas that kept popping up. Find out what type of synopsis your agent/publisher requires, and you're off to a good start.

If anyone here sees glaring or even squinting errors in my info, please point it out as I can also use the advice.

good luck.

maestrowork · Feb 18, 2005

There's the jacket blurb/summary: a few paragraphs.

There's the short synopsis: 1-2 pages.

There's the longer synopsis: 3-5 pages.

There's the really long synopsis: 5-15 pages.

Ask the agent or publisher if you're not sure. In general, I won't go longer than 2 pages unless they ask for longer synopses.

katdad · Feb 18, 2005

GP101

I've never seen a synopsis specification longer than 4-5 pages. 2-3 pages seems to be the ideal. Hey, if it were longer it wouldn't be called a synopsis, right?

Formats are very flexible, much less restrictive than the novel's text. It should generally be the format of a well-written business letter or short report, preferably 12 pt. Times New Roman.

Some newbie writers may think that flash & glam will be keen. Nope. Don't use color ink, snazzy fonts, smiley face emoticons, or any other junk. Just black ink on white paper.

By the way -- GP101 -- is that name somehow connected to a certain metal-object manufacturing firm in the northeast US?

gp101 · Feb 18, 2005

Katdaddy;

A whO? A metal-object manufacturing firm in the northeast US? I'm in the northeast but don't manufacture much of anything except unsold prose. You must give up the details as you've sparked my interest. My handle is a mutant, shortened version of a handle I use on another board (guilty pleasures).

Hope I didn't ruin any dreams of class action lawsuits :Ssh:

katdad · Feb 18, 2005

Coincidence

gp101 said:
My handle is a mutant, shortened version of a handle I use on another board (guilty pleasures).

Just a coincidence, then. "GP-101" is the model name for a type of Ruger .357 Magnum revolver.

Just so you'll know, the GP-101 is a superbly well-made firearm, solid and reliable, and won't "go off" unexpectedly. So you're in good company. ha ha

Loretta · Nov 13, 2010

gp101 said:
From the various web sites I've visited, and from the info I've gathered from these boards, this is what I've learned about synopses (besides the fact that they're evil):

There's the one-page (single spaced), the short synopsis (3-5 pages, double-spaced), and the long synopsis (up to 10 pages double-spaced). Didn't find much info for the one-page variety. But for the other two, there was lots of advice. Both have a running header and page count, TNR preferred, paragraphs are not indented, but a space between each paragraph is required. Top left corner of the first page in both short and long synopses should contain the title, your name, genre, page count, and word count. Presumably they expect contact info on the cover letter or title page of your novel (unless they only request a synopsis, in which case I assume you'd include it under your name in the upper left corner of the first page). All three synopses are present tense and fast-paced.

The first paragraph should be your HOOK; that blurb that summarizes your premise and grabs the reader's interest. The other paragraphs should focus on major plotpoints only, while integrating major characters. More latitude is allowed with long synopses where subplots nad minor characters can be examined. Paragraphs should flow smoothly and logically into each other, and sound like a person telling a short story in first person. Major twists and the resolution need to be mentioned. Avoid open-ended questions like will she ever find him? Will he save the world? It was also recommeded that the synopsis be written in the same style as the novel to show the author's voice, but they caution against overdoing it.

Well, that's a summary of the info I've gathered together. I'm not claiming any of this is right, but I'm going with ideas that kept popping up. Find out what type of synopsis your agent/publisher requires, and you're off to a good start.

If anyone here sees glaring or even squinting errors in my info, please point it out as I can also use the advice.

good luck.

Thank you GP101 for your concise details regarding a synopses formatting

I knew the basics, but there were a few things I was concerned about. This clarified the whole topic very well

Loretta

Miss Plum · Nov 13, 2010

When my agent asked me for a 2-3 page synopsis, I apologized for such a picky question and asked her whether it should be single-spaced or double spaced. She laughed and said 1.5 spaced.

Susan Coffin · Nov 14, 2010

Loretta, thank you for pushing this up. I am writing my synopsis now, and this format looks really clear!

Synopsis Format

brinkett

Elder Scrolls devotee

azbikergirl

I really do look like this.

brinkett

Elder Scrolls devotee

katdad

Registered curmudgeon

brinkett

Elder Scrolls devotee

JuliePgh

SRHowen

Erotica is not a four letter word!

brinkett

Elder Scrolls devotee

katdad

Registered curmudgeon

gp101

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

katdad

Registered curmudgeon

gp101

katdad

Registered curmudgeon

Loretta

Miss Plum

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is