Synopsis as a query?

If an agent gets a query that looks like a synopsis, the agent will assume you don't know the difference between the two forms.

So, yeah, it may be more challenging to query your book than, say, a Harry Potter book. But you need to do it nonetheless.

One way to approach this is to look at back-cover summaries and other teaser-type text written about similar 'interlocking narrative' books. Look at, for instance, the first paragraph of this page about The Bridge of San Luis Rey. Or the Publishers Weekly review of How to Make an American Quilt (2nd down on this page). (I mean, you don't put the praise in the way the review does, because that's creepy, but that review does a really good job of summarizing the complexity and structure of the novel.)

Ignore agents for a minute. Think about your ultimate goal here -- to get readers for your book. Now imagine your book at Borders, sitting on the shelf, wonderful cover. A reader/victim comes along, picks up your book, and a three page synopsis falls out with a note on it saying, "Read this."

Think you're going to sell many books?

Here's the description for THE ENGLISH PATIENT from Amazon:
That's 103 words. Apparently gets people to want to read the book. If the only way to sell your book is with a synopsis, you're never going to sell it. Whether we're talking agents or talking readers.

Now readers and agents want slightly different things in their descriptions. But a lot of query letters, with modifications, eventually are the same thing that goes on the back cover. Your queries, however, aren't exciting anyone, because you're explaining your story, not selling us your story.

Best of luck,

Jim Clark-Dawe

Jim nailed it. Read the covers of books like yours and see how they do it. One thing though, a printed book can get away with phrases like "Haunting and harrowing, as beautiful as it is disturbing," and "In lyrical prose informed by a poetic consciousness," but a query can't. So don't describe your book in words of praise or you come off looking kinda pretentious. Just use the hook part of the cover copy.

It's always difficult to describe a book adequately in a query. You have to do it, anyway.

Welcome, Acer. Others are correct--you must learn how to describe your book in a query letter. I love The English Patient synopsis, as it says so much in few words.

Keep working on your query. You'll get it.

There are lots of great sites that will help you to write a better query.

Author! Author!
Query Shark
Miss Snark

were the three I used.

And yes, the whole experience will still feel like you're chewing razorblades, but you can do it.

Believe it.