Synopses, etc.

Treyos · Sep 3, 2008

Okay, so my book is written, it's been edited and I'm happy with the results. That was the easy part.

I'm currently searching for an agent to represent me, which is far more difficult than I ever would've guessed. One of the points at which I feel extremely lacking in is my synopsis, which is surely a big part of the sell. I can write a novel, but I don't know what I should even be aiming for with a synopsis. Is there a standard length (one possible agent is requesting a two page synopsis O_O )? Should I be filling in all the plot twists and details in it or keeping it more generalized?

Also, any guidance on finding a suitable agent and otherwise selling my work would be appreciated. I'm currently trying to avoid agents that require snail mail submissions (waste of paper, time and money, imo; can't imagine why anyone would prefer it) but other than that and needing to rep the fantasy genre, I really don't have much in the way of personal preferences on the matter.

And while I'm on the subject, if I send in a query and get nothing back in a month, should I just write them off or is that actually a typical downtime for agents to sort through submissions?

I am so very out of my comfort zone with all this stuff. ;P

alleycat · Sep 3, 2008

There's not a standard length, but some agents ask for a short synopsis and some for a full synopsis. I think of a short synopsis as between 1 and 3 pages double spaced (the shorter, the better) and a full synopsis as somewhere between 3 and 7 pages.

With a short synopsis a writer generally does have to simplify the plot and not go into every plot twist or sub-plot.

Karen Duvall · Sep 3, 2008

Treyos, I know how frustrating it can be searching for an agent. It took me about four months to land mine. You just need to be persistent, and to make sure your query letter knocks their socks off! And your synopsis.

A basic synopsis is 2 to 4 pages long, covers the story premise and main conflict, introduces the main characters & antagonist, the inciting incident, the 2 or 3 turning points in the plot (kind of depends on the length of your book), the black moment, the climax, and the resolution. Don't get caught up in too many details like secondary plotlines and ancillary characters. Be sure to use the same tone and voice you used in writing the book, make it present tense, and show plenty of tension. In other words, make it a story. And whatever you do, be careful NOT to make it sound like a laundry list of actions: this happened, then this happened, then this happened. Again, it needs to read like a story.

As for finding agents, go to AgentQuery.com and type fantasy into the search field. It will bring up a huge list of agents, how they want to be queried, their recent sales, etc. It's a fabulous resource.

Welcome to AW and good luck! :welcome:

regdog · Sep 3, 2008

When you have done your synopsis 2-3 pages with an overview of the main plot and one or two sub plots and characters you can post it here on the Show Yor Work thread to get feedback about it. Agent Query is a good place to look for agents as is Bewares and Backgrounds here. On Agent Query and the agents own website many will state the average turn around time for a query but many n more will say no repsonse is a no especially for e-mail queries. Good luck

J C Coy · Sep 3, 2008

Karen Duvall said:
And whatever you do, be careful NOT to make it sound like a laundry list of actions: this happened, then this happened, then this happened. Again, it needs to read like a story.

This is the pit I am stuck in at the moment. I'd rather be beaten than write a synopsis. :tongue

DeleyanLee · Sep 3, 2008

My understanding (always subject to change) is that the purpose of the synopsis is to prove to the agent/editor that you know how to build interest and conflict over the course of the book. Thus, it's the main plotline that needs to be followed, not including all the various subplots and layers that might be in the actual novel.

It is always written in third person, present tense, regardless of what POV/tense the book is written in. Why? I haven't got a clue, but it seems to be fact.

It needs ACTIVE verbs. One game a published friend of mine used to play during synopsis writing is to never repeat the same verb twice so her verbs always remained interesting and active. Of course, I always accused her of having swallowed the OED at birth, so not everyone can play that game, but the concept is still valid.

If you can keep your mind on the main storyline of the book, writing a synopsis isn't that difficult. I've always found nailing down the main storyline to be the challenging part.

Good luck to you.

J C Coy · Sep 3, 2008

DeleyanLee said:
My understanding (always subject to change) is that the purpose of the synopsis is to prove to the agent/editor that you know how to build interest and conflict over the course of the book.

Hummm....I think you just helped me with my problem.

ricgalbraith · Sep 3, 2008

i'm going to have to run at this wall soon as i come to the finishing and refining my first novel, all great tips though, not my thread but thanks to those who have contributed.

i think the main thing i needed to know was whether or not it's a description of what happens in the novel, or just a much shorter version of the novel itself, i.e 75k words put into 1k. It seems to be the latter, but that also seems like such a difficult task at the moment, think i'll keep reading threads like this for the mean time!

jclarkdawe · Sep 3, 2008

You might want to read How to Write a Query Letter (

1 2 3) and How to Write a Synopsis

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

kzmiller · Sep 3, 2008

There's also a free download available on Amazon.com. Search for Noah Lukeman or How to Write a Great Query Letter. It told me it would cost 49 cents but when I downloaded it and got my statement it cost me zip. It says on the page that it's free, too, so don't worry. You won't get charged.

I'd say it's worth every penny, but ...

You'll have to write synopses of various lengths because agents want different things. Usually sticking to one single-spaced page is safe, but it's best to follow guidelines when they're available.

Oh, and read Query Shark's blog.

Birol · Sep 3, 2008

Treyos said:
And while I'm on the subject, if I send in a query and get nothing back in a month, should I just write them off or is that actually a typical downtime for agents to sort through submissions?

A month is nothing. Not even a blink.

alleycat said:
I think of a short synopsis as between 1 and 3 pages double spaced (the shorter, the better) and a full synopsis as somewhere between 3 and 7 pages.

Synopses are single-spaced.

Priene · Sep 4, 2008

J C Coy said:
I'd rather be beaten than write a synopsis

At long last, a volunteer.

(Produces spiked club from cupboard)

cambric · Sep 4, 2008

kzmiller said:
There's also a free download available on Amazon.com. Search for Noah Lukeman or How to Write a Great Query Letter. It told me it would cost 49 cents but when I downloaded it and got my statement it cost me zip. It says on the page that it's free, too, so don't worry. You won't get charged.

I'd say it's worth every penny, but ...

You'll have to write synopses of various lengths because agents want different things. Usually sticking to one single-spaced page is safe, but it's best to follow guidelines when they're available.

Oh, and read Query Shark's blog.

Thanks!!

Downloaded it this morning. Was expecting a 5-10 page file, was suprised it was 76 pages and you are correct, it was free.

alleycat · Sep 4, 2008

Birol said:
Synopses are single-spaced.

There are varying opinion about that as well. The advice I see most often from agents is single-space for one or two pages, double-space for anything longer.

Sunshine13 · Sep 4, 2008

Another place I like is Querytracker.com for Agents, and a month is nothing. Another good idea is to really "Research" Agent sites, a lot will put how long their typical response time is, etc. Some even have blogs.

Treyos · Sep 4, 2008

Well, I'm very glad I asked, since in my mind a synopsis was short - like a few paragraphs that give the gist of the story. Seems that I was just a weeeee bit off on that, which could very well be part of my problem.

Thanks for all the tips and advice, I'll do my best to put them to good use. And for those in the same boat as I am... thanks for letting me know I'm not alone.

Nateskate · Sep 4, 2008

I hate writing a synopsis. Even with a publisher, because a movie series is a possibility, I have to send a synopsis with each novel. It's for those who need to know the storyline (movie people) who don't have time to read the books.

ladyvincenza · Sep 4, 2008

It needs ACTIVE verbs. One game a published friend of mine used to play during synopsis writing is to never repeat the same verb twice so her verbs always remained interesting and active. Of course, I always accused her of having swallowed the OED at birth, so not everyone can play that game, but the concept is still valid.

Wow, how do you do that? Especially when it comes to conjugations of "to be" and words like that...I'd like to see one of her synopses, if you have it.

Feathers · Sep 4, 2008

One of the best pieces of synopsis advice is to go and summarize the main points of each chapter with one paragraph. But since I've not written a synopsis yet, I'll leave it at that and just provide some links:

How to write a query letter
How to write a synopsis #1
How to write a synopsis #2

Hope that helps

-Feathers

Cathy C · Sep 4, 2008

Don't forget about our very own thread here where some of our published AWers were kind enough to post their selling synopses. While they're romances, don't be fooled! They have all the same ELEMENTS you'll need for every other genre.

You'll see that there's a wide variety of methods that were used to sell the book, so you don't necessarily just have to follow one method or the other. What works for some, doesn't for others. Good luck!

Birol · Sep 8, 2008

Ladyvincenza, I've moved your request for a synopsis crit to its own thread in SYW. The password is vista.

Synopses, etc.

Treyos

alleycat

Still around

Karen Duvall

Chalice the Hatchet Knight

regdog

The Scavengers

J C Coy

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

J C Coy

ricgalbraith

jclarkdawe

Feeling lucky, Query?

kzmiller

Fair weather fanatic

Birol

Around and About

Priene

Out to lunch

cambric

alleycat

Still around

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

Treyos

Nateskate

ladyvincenza

user-set title

Feathers

emerging from the writing cave

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Birol

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