Three Synopses: Have These Been Done?

fedorable1 · May 17, 2005

Greetings, all.

I am preparing to work on two - possibly three - consecutive novels, and I would like to know if the following titles or storylines have been done before. Not "similar" or "kind of like" another novel or movie because EVERY synopsis is similar to something - has been for the last half a century. I am looking for something bordering on copyright infringement.

I have already checked the internet, and sites like Amazon.com and even library catalogs. There have been a few close calls, but nothing too exact.

1) Title: THE EARTH SAGA: ACT I
Synopsis: Near the dawning of the 30th Century AD, mankind launches is last "manned" flight into deep space in search of refuge from the dying Earth. Those sent on the mission were Cyborgs, as humans could not survive the time and conditions. In time, the Cyborgs went missing and humanity lost hope of finding a suitable planet. Simultaneously, artifical intelligence was deemed both dangerous and to some unnecessary - and all cybernetic research was declared illegal. Several centuries later, the Cyborgs mysteriously returned with an arsenal of extraterrestrial weapons and technology. They quickly make short work of the Earth's defenses and the greatest war of all time is fought within a span of a few days. In the course of the war, humanity is forced to reactivate the cybernetic programs and beings they fought so hard to destroy.

2) Title: SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Synopsis: When renegade forces of the French Foreign Legion comandeer a United States nuclear launch center, they soon turn the weapons on America and manage to hold the most powerful nation in the world hostage unto itself. Meanwhile, the unprepared Speaker of the House is thrust into the presidency following the assassinations of the President and Vice President. As the French hold the nation hostage, America can only watch helplessly as the new President contemplates the impossible and unimaginable - surrender.

3) Title: THE FALL
Synopsis: Before the dawn of time, Lucifer sits mightily beside the Almighty in heaven. Then, filled with pride and contempt, he is chastised by those he had served so diligently. When he rebels, he ignites the first War in Heaven. Leading an army of nearly a third of the angels, Lucifer battles the legendary Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael as well as God Himself. The universe is torn asunder as the line between Heaven and Hell is crossed.

If you know of any toes I may be stepping on, please let me know. Any other information or critique would be appreciated.

mdin · May 17, 2005

Synopsis #3 as been done a time or two, most notably in Steven Brust's excellent novel, To Reign in Hell. You might want to read it to see how close it is to your story.

LightShadow · May 17, 2005

I suppose 3 books at once are fine, but I wonder if there's a conflict of interest if different entities pick each up.

Vomaxx · May 17, 2005

Didn't some poet named Miltown or Miltoon (or something like that) write #3?

LightShadow · May 17, 2005

Vomaxx said:
Didn't some poet named Miltown or Miltoon (or something like that) write #3?

cute. but does anyone know if having multiple works searching for a home at once can be a conflict in the industry?

fedorable1 · May 17, 2005

Didn't some poet named Miltown or Miltoon (or something like that) write #3?

I believe you're thinking of Milton's Paradise Lost. And that was more centered around the original sin of Adam and Eve, and the resulting chaos that followed.

I suppose 3 books at once are fine, but I wonder if there's a conflict of interest if different entities pick each up.
.....does anyone know if having multiple works searching for a home at once can be a conflict in the industry?

I'm not sure about that, but I did say that these three are consecutive novels - meaning I'm only doing one at a time.

veinglory · May 18, 2005

Then why not just worry about the first one? They all run over some fairly well trodden ground especially 1 & 3. I am sure the plot could still be written with originality, all the same. I have trouble taking 2 seriously-- the French?

ashlee111 · May 18, 2005

writing a synopsis

Hi, I have to write a synopsis for my book. My question is,what is the synopsis supposed to be about? I am new to all this, but should it be about my book? The publisher wasn't clear on this, at all. :Hammer:

Thank you, ashlee111

veinglory · May 18, 2005

Hi ashlee,

It depends on whether they want a long or short synopsis. You might want to start a new thread on this to get a full reply, and post what information you do have from the publisher.

ashlee111 · May 18, 2005

50 word synopsis

Sorry, I failed to mention that, it is a fifty word synopsis that I have to write for the back cover text. Thank you. ashlee111

jules · May 18, 2005

fedorable1 said:
I am preparing to work on two - possibly three - consecutive novels, and I would like to know if the following titles or storylines have been done before. Not "similar" or "kind of like" another novel or movie because EVERY synopsis is similar to something - has been for the last half a century. I am looking for something bordering on copyright infringement.

1. Unless you have actually seen the original, it is impossible for you to be infringing its copyright. While I won't go so far as to say you must know what you're doing (there is, apparently, such a thing as 'subconscious copying' and some artists have been ordered to pay compensation because of it), you must have been exposed to the original work in order to copy anything from it.

2. The information you give here is nothing like enough to determine whether it would be close enough. If you could write a two thousand word summary that fits two different stories, then perhaps they are too similar, but with just these short paragraphs, we can't tell.

PattiTheWicked · May 18, 2005

ashlee111 said:
Sorry, I failed to mention that, it is a fifty word synopsis that I have to write for the back cover text. Thank you. ashlee111

Fifty words isn't really a synopsis so much as a marketing pitch. That of course brings us to the question of which publisher is having you write your own back cover text?

At any rate, if it helps any, when I write a synopsis I do a "long version" and a "Reader's Digest Condensed Version". The long one goes into significantly more detail, and the way I write it is I sit with a hard copy of the ms in front of me, and summarize each key point of every chapter. Like so:

"Fourteen-year-old Kieran Ash’s mom is out of a job. Things are tough, and the family is tired of moving from city to city. When Kieran’s brother Sean digs out a book from their late father’s occult collection, the two of them conjure up a spell to find Melanie Ash a job. Soon, Kieran’s mom gets an offer from Doc Birch, who needs a new nurse at his clinic on Rowan Tree Isle – the home of the Ash clan. Although Kieran and Sean have never met their father's relatives, they pack up and move to Rowan Tree in hopes of renewing family connections."

That's the summary of the first chapter, long version. For the short version, it reads:

"When Kieran Ash's mom loses yet another job, she and her brother Sean decide to help out. Using a spellbook from their late father's collection, they land Melanie a job and get the family relocated to Rowan Tree Island, home of the Ash clan."

It's about half as long, significantly less detail, but still explains the key factors of the chapter. Hope that helps a bit.

Bufty · May 18, 2005

Ashlee111, That's blurb Ashlee, not a synopsis. A synopsis tells what happens in your story and how it ends and you don't want that on the back cover. I think you'll get your best guide simply by looking at back covers. It's a major part of why someone buys the book.
Good luck
Bufty

kaku · May 19, 2005

Topic one shares many of the elements of the current TV science fiction series Battlestar Gallactica (Sci Fi Channel).

LightShadow · May 19, 2005

I would make sure the first one is a stand alone, and then if it gets picked up, and the publisher wants it to serialize, your in.

fedorable1 · May 20, 2005

Thank you all for the help!

In regards to #1: I've begun reworking the storyline just a little. Most noteably the villains are not cyborgs - they are other humans. This should help to enhance the "alien earth" ambiance I wanted anyway, as well as distinguish it from Battlestar: Galactica.

In regards to #2: Nothing has changed much. Everyone that reads it says "The French? Are you serious? That would never happen." That's actually good, because at least twenty characters say that repeatedly throughout the story - even after it happens.

In regards to #3: I'll check up on your suggestions. I'm sure the story has been done in some perspective or medium, but I can still make it original somehow.

James D. Macdonald · May 20, 2005

LightShadow said:
I suppose 3 books at once are fine, but I wonder if there's a conflict of interest if different entities pick each up.

This isn't a problem.

James D. Macdonald · May 20, 2005

ashlee111 said:
Sorry, I failed to mention that, it is a fifty word synopsis that I have to write for the back cover text. Thank you. ashlee111

That's the publisher's job. You're asking about copywriting, which is a specialty.

Three Synopses: Have These Been Done?

fedorable1

Hopeless Romantic

mdin

The late, the great XThe NavigatorX

LightShadow

defender of the blahs!

Vomaxx

LightShadow

defender of the blahs!

fedorable1

Hopeless Romantic

veinglory

volitare nequeo

ashlee111

veinglory

volitare nequeo

ashlee111

jules

Bored fanatic

PattiTheWicked

Unleashing Hell.

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

kaku

LightShadow

defender of the blahs!

fedorable1

Hopeless Romantic

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle