Not send the synopsis?

young_zee · Jan 20, 2008

Ok, so I have agents to query, and they say QL, synopsis, sample chapters in the first instance, but I think my synopsis sucks, and there is no way I can make it better, plus I have read my book 30 times and physically cannot look at it anymore. I was wondering if it really makes that much of a distance to simply omit the synopsis, surely if they were interested they wouldn't mind about a 2 page synopsis not being there, right?

Thanks

ChaosTitan · Jan 20, 2008

If the agent wants it, I'd include it. Even if they don't read the synopsis, it's a very good test to see if the prospective client can follow simple directions.

Have you tried posting the synopsis on the Share Your Work - Query Letter Critique forum?

Cassidy · Jan 20, 2008

I agree that you should send the synopsis. I know what you mean about being unable to look at your book anymore though; I get like that too. I always find the synopsis hard to write. Posting on SYW is a good idea. You could also just put the manuscript aside for a month or two and then come back to it with a bit more distance-- might find the synopsis easier to work on then. I wouldn't bother sending your query without the synopsis-- if they say they want a synopsis, you should send one.

maestrowork · Jan 20, 2008

If your synopsis sucks, work on it. And rework it. If you can't even do that, what happens when they want your ms. and wants you to edit/rework it? Are you going to say no because you're tired of looking at it again? You're the writer. Suck it up and do it. If you really can't fix the synopsis, ask someone else to help you. But do it. If the agent asks for it, you need to send it.

johnzakour · Jan 20, 2008

Yeah, what they said. Post it in the SYW section. Help is well, helpful.

Birol · Jan 20, 2008

young_zee said:
...and there is no way I can make it better...

Wrong answer.

...plus I have read my book 30 times and physically cannot look at it anymore....

Tough.

I was wondering if it really makes that much of a distance to simply omit the synopsis...

Yes, it would.

...surely if they were interested they wouldn't mind about a 2 page synopsis not being there, right?

Wrong again.

Look, they have very specific reasons for wanting a synopsis. Not only does it show if you can write, it shows if you're capable of carrying a story through to the end. I agree that to the writer a synopsis can seem like a hazing ritual, but it serves a purpose to agents and editors. It helps them evaluate submissions quicker and easier than receiving a bunch of full manuscripts.

Now, quit whining. Do your query right. Polish the synopsis. Make it what it needs to be. And include it with your query packet.

maestrowork · Jan 20, 2008

To add to what Birol said: no, if you don't follow the submission guidelines, and if you don't include a synopsis that shows how the story begins, progresses, and ends, the agent is NOT going to be interested.

loiterer · Jan 20, 2008

young_zee said:
I think my synopsis sucks, and there is no way I can make it better

I agree with the others you should post it on Share Your Work.

Or you could submit it to Evil Editor (submission details here) if you're desperate and don't mind him making fun of you while he's giving you advice.

plus I have read my book 30 times and physically cannot look at it anymore.

I should warn you you've got a lot more re-reads ahead of you if you get picked up for publishing.

I was wondering if it really makes that much of a distance to simply omit the synopsis, surely if they were interested they wouldn't mind about a 2 page synopsis not being there, right?

I imagine there's that one absolutely astounding author whose pages are so good that all the rules fly out the window--but I sincerely doubt that author is you or me.

Diviner · Jan 20, 2008

I was having trouble writing my synopsis until I broke my finished novel back into chapters with titles. Using Rough Draft --free ware that has two boxes side by side, I found it much easier to created the synopsis, scene by scene. I don't know if it is a good synopsis, but at least it is coherent. I use Rough Draft all the time for all kinds of writing chores, but this last use has been the most efficient so far.

Good luck.

Happy Pooch · Jan 20, 2008

Birol said:
reasons for wanting a synopsis... it shows if you're capable of carrying a story through to the end. It helps them evaluate submissions quicker and easier than receiving a bunch of full manuscripts.

Exactly.

Not sending a requested synopsis might make the agent wonder how cooperative you are going to be about revisions once you've landed a contract. They might wonder whether you see the author-agent relationship as a partnership or .... are you already giving them hints of being trouble?

maestrowork · Jan 20, 2008

Happy Pooch said:
Exactly.

Not sending a requested synopsis might make the agent wonder how cooperative you are going to be about revisions once you've landed a contract. They might wonder whether you see the author-agent relationship as a partnership or .... are you already giving them hints of being trouble?

Not even that. If the agent can't even see a summary of the entire story, he is not going to waste his time asking for a full. Even if he is interested enough to ask for a partial, he would still need to see the synopsis. He doesn't want to have to read the whole ms. to find out if you have a good story.

Happy Pooch · Jan 20, 2008

I meant to say that the agent won't even read the partial requested because of concerns about the author's attitude

job · Jan 20, 2008

It's very hard to write a synopsis.
You have to do it.

Accept this.

The first three chapters tell the agent you can write interesting prose.
The synopsis lets the agent know you can tell a story that hangs together.
These are two different skills and you must be able to do BOTH.
This is not a jump-through-the-hoops thingum.

The synopsis is a selling tool.
Before and after your book hits the stands you will write lots and lots of selling tools. You will write interveiws and book blurbs and letters to the reader and God-knows-whatall.
This is something else to get used to.

You use the synopsis to sell your manuscript to the agent.
The agent uses it to sell to the editor.
The editor uses it to sell to the editorial board.
The editor also uses it in the cover meetings and passes it along to the blub writers and the publicist.

You will HAVE to write that synopsis, and you might as well do it sooner as later.

Google "Miss Snark" synopsis crapometer.
Read.

SageFury · Jan 20, 2008

young_zee said:
Ok, so I have agents to query, and they say QL, synopsis, sample chapters in the first instance, but I think my synopsis sucks, and there is no way I can make it better, plus I have read my book 30 times and physically cannot look at it anymore. I was wondering if it really makes that much of a distance to simply omit the synopsis, surely if they were interested they wouldn't mind about a 2 page synopsis not being there, right?

Thanks

Problem is you are the seller of your story, I think it would hurt you a lot if you cannot come up with a synopsis in general let alone an agent... Everyone I ever mention my book to asks for the synopsis for the first question... Always...

If I were you I would research other peoples synopsis to get an idea on how they go about it.. I mean published writers by the way =)

juneafternoon · Jan 20, 2008

I really would send it. When you're playing a game in which anything detracts from your overall score, you really shouldn't shoot yourself on the foot.

Sage · Jan 20, 2008

young_zee said:
Ok, so I have agents to query, and they say QL, synopsis, sample chapters in the first instance, but I think my synopsis sucks, and there is no way I can make it better, plus I have read my book 30 times and physically cannot look at it anymore. I was wondering if it really makes that much of a distance to simply omit the synopsis, surely if they were interested they wouldn't mind about a 2 page synopsis not being there, right?

Thanks

SYW! Really, it's awesome how much help you can get there. They whipped my synopsis into shape, they can do it for you.

young_zee · Jan 21, 2008

Well...the synopsis is a functional document right guys? So it's not that exciting, and also my plot is well, very simple, it's the kind of story that focuses far more on characters, dialogue and setting than any intricate plots, because it is realistic fiction, and a lot of the plots in general fiction nowadays are often showcases of how brilliant a finale the author can create with all these intertwining subplots coming together as one by the end etc. etc.
Mine isn't like that, it's more, "take me as I am..." I hope I managed to explain it right.

I randomly queried random house and all they asked for was 1st chapter.

megan_d · Jan 21, 2008

Since when does Random House accept unsolicitated queries?

Toothpaste · Jan 21, 2008

A synopsis isn't just plot points. Especially if your book is thin by way of plot. You can discuss the development of your characters, the journeys they take etc. A synopsis is meant to tell the reader what happens in your story. If what happens is character development, then share that.

And I'm sorry but your attitude towards books out there today shows you haven't read much recently. There are many books out there that are what you call "realistic fiction" that aren't plot driven and are all about character development.

Congrats on the partial request from Random House! Though you seem put out by their request, you should know that is a pretty big deal especially because you don't have an agent.

young_zee · Jan 21, 2008

Well, the synopsis is 2 pages so quite short, and even though the plot is simple, 2 pages were needed to cover it. If I add character development to that, it just goes overboard.

Isn't the Query letter synopsis the one which is really going to hook people?
I knew mine was good and random house liked it, and curiously they requested only the 1st chapter, no synopsis, nothing else.

You're right toothpaste! I don't read much! I hate reading! That's why I wrote a book that I might like, but now I've read (and edited) it so much that I hate it. Who said 30 times was too few?? I was expecting 10 max.

I don't know about unsolicited queries with agents, but publishers don't. However, when the agent states, no unsolicited mss, I say fine, but I query them anyway to see if they're interested.

I wonder whether to remark at the top of the synopsis why the plot is so simple and the various emotional journeys (just briefly). Maybe I will send this batch of submissions to agents as-is, then if I carry on getting rejected (which just kicks me in the guts given my circumstances and what I've sacrificed for this) then I will rewrite the synopsis.

Birol · Jan 21, 2008

young_zee said:
Isn't the Query letter synopsis the one which is really going to hook people?

Yes and no. The query letter gets them to read the synopsis. The synopsis gets them to request either a partial or a full.

I knew mine was good and random house liked it, and curiously they requested only the 1st chapter, no synopsis, nothing else.

Honestly, I'm not certain how to view this. To me, just requesting the first chapter and nothing else doesn't necessarily instill a great amount of hope in me. Some, yes. I mean, it is Random House, but it's a rather unusual amount and request.

You're right toothpaste! I don't read much! I hate reading! That's why I wrote a book that I might like,

but now I've read (and edited) it so much that I hate it. Who said 30 times was too few?? I was expecting 10 max.

Time to adjust your expectations.

I don't know about unsolicited queries with agents, but publishers don't. However, when the agent states, no unsolicited mss, I say fine, but I query them anyway to see if they're interested.

A query is not the same thing as a manuscript. If they request something from the query, it is no longer unsolicited.

I wonder whether to remark at the top of the synopsis why the plot is so simple and the various emotional journeys (just briefly).

Um... No?

Maybe I will send this batch of submissions to agents as-is, then if I carry on getting rejected (which just kicks me in the guts given my circumstances and what I've sacrificed for this) then I will rewrite the synopsis.

This is, always, an option. It's a choice that only you can make.

Happy Pooch · Jan 21, 2008

young_zee said:
You're right toothpaste! I don't read much! I hate reading!

I hope your manuscript is geared to an audience that hates reading and would never consider spending money on a book.

maestrowork · Jan 21, 2008

Look, we all told you to send in your synopsis. Whether you do it or not is up to you, but the conventional wisdom is to send what the agents ask for. You do something else, expect a rejection. And if you don't mind wasting your time, who is to argue with you?

You're just giving yourself excuses to NOT do the work. How difficult is it to write up a 1 or 2-page synopsis if the plot is simple? What is stopping you? Difficult? Well, if women can give birth you sure you can summarize your character-driven, simply plotted novel in 500 words, can't you?

Isn't the Query letter synopsis the one which is really going to hook people?

A full synopsis is not about hooking the agent. It's about telling them if you have a complete story with a beginning, middle and end. It's really as simple as that. You don't need to use Pulitzer-winning prose to write a simple synopsis that tells what the story is about.

young_zee · Jan 21, 2008

Of course it's possible that my book may be crap, but I know many people who are sick of the general way books are going these days. I know books have to be exciting and all, but it's as if people try too hard and it comes across as fake. As it is, in terms of fiction, I can hardly believe a single thing I read, hence I cannot take it seriously or enjoy it or, indeed, derive any meaning or fulfillment from it. Yes that's a sweeping generalisation and some books will of course not apply, but it's not just my opinion. However, what is published nowadays is what the elite houses of London seem to like nowadays, when I believe there should be something else out there, but there is not. There's no need for writers, obviously avid readers, to insult some one who does not tend to read. I'm not asking you to get the book out of your face.

I'm just tired of the synopsis and book, that's all.

Some one told me to include the emotional journey, but now some one else is giving a firm no.

The book is indeed geared to those who wouldn't normally read, yes, and I hope this one might change it. (Queue the "no way!!"s)

I am aware that a QL is not a mss, that's why I do often query beforehand, so as to make the mss submission (if requested) solicited, as I did with Random House. I do agree about the strangeness of the submission, first chapter and nothing else, but if they do request more, then it will surely include the synopsis, and I guess I have to knuckle down and do it tomorrow. It's just I don't know where to put the emotional journey/character development/setting/dialogue, as you can't (apart from the former) really see that unless you actually read the mss.

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 21, 2008

young_zee said:
It's just I don't know where to put the emotional journey/character development/setting/dialogue, as you can't (apart from the former) really see that unless you actually read the mss.

You can (and should) put all of those except the dialogue in the synopsis.

Emotional development is action, after all. It's not the most interesting action, but it's something to include in a synopsis. "As he gets to know Anthony better, George overcomes his deep-rooted racism" or similar is a perfectly acceptable sentence for a synopsis.

I'm really, really interested to know who at Random House requested a sample chapter from you (and not because I want to submit a query to them and scoop you or anything). Can you PM me with the person's name? I've published with them in the past, which is part of why I'm curious.

Not send the synopsis?

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