A synopsis is a concise summary of a novel or manuscript that aims to convey the main idea, characters, and development of the story to the reader. It is essentially a guide for a writer to describe what their novel is about in a few words, helping agents, publishers, and readers to analyze if it’s a genre they might be interested in.
Writing a great synopsis can be a challenging task. You want to cover all the necessary information without going into too much detail. That’s where formatting can be very useful. By outlining the key points and structuring the synopsis properly, you can help readers understand the purpose and essence of your work.
When formatting a synopsis, there are a few key features you should consider. Use a clear and readable font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and a font size between 10 and 12 points. Be consistent with your formatting throughout the synopsis, using bold or italics to emphasize important words or phrases. Also, make sure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors as these can detract from the overall impression of your writing.
How to Write a Novel Synopsis
Writing a novel synopsis is essentially a performance. You need to convey the essence of your novel through a concise and engaging summary. It’s also an opportunity to make your manuscript stand out and line up with what agents are looking for.
A novel synopsis is a summary of your novel that provides an overview of the main plot, characters, and themes. It’s a tool that helps agents and publishers understand what your book is about before they invest time in reading the entire manuscript.
When writing a novel synopsis, aim to make it as clear and concise as possible. Use a readable font and format your synopsis in a way that makes it easy to scan quickly. Use paragraphs to separate different sections, such as the introduction, plot summary, and character descriptions.
Start your synopsis with a brief introduction that introduces the main characters, the genre, and the setting of your novel. Then, provide a summary of the main plot, covering the key events and developments that occur throughout the story. You might also want to include a brief analysis of the themes and any major conflicts or challenges that the characters face.
Keep in mind that a novel synopsis should be no more than a page or two long. It’s important to focus on the main plot and key elements that will appeal to potential readers. Avoid going into too much detail or including unnecessary information that doesn’t contribute to the overall understanding of the story.
If you’re unsure about what to include in your novel synopsis, a great idea is to analyze synopses of successful books in the same genre. This can give you an idea of what readers and agents are looking for in a synopsis and help you craft a more effective one for your own novel.
When writing a novel synopsis, it’s always a good idea to check if there are any specific guidelines or requirements provided by the agent or publisher you’re submitting to. Some agents may want a longer or more detailed synopsis, while others may prefer a shorter and punchier summary.
If you’re writing a series, you might want to consider writing synopses for each book in the series, as well as an overarching synopsis that covers the entire storyline. This can be useful for publishers and agents who want to get a sense of the overall narrative arc and character development throughout the series.
Remember, a novel synopsis is a tool that helps sell your book to agents and publishers. It should be clear, engaging, and accurately represent the story and genre of your novel. Take the time to craft a well-written synopsis, as it can make a big difference in whether or not your manuscript gets noticed and ultimately published.
| Features | Functionality |
| Stored in the cloud | Allows users to access synopses from any device |
| Plugin with browser | Enables users to easily add and edit synopses while browsing the web |
| Categories and tags | Helps organize and categorize synopses for easy searching and filtering |
| Word count | Provides a helpful tool for writers to track the length of their synopses |
| Cookie-based | Allows the plugin to remember user preferences and settings |
| Payment patment | Enables users to access additional features and support |
By following these guidelines and utilizing the useful features above, you can create a compelling and effective novel synopsis that will help you attract the attention of agents and publishers.
A Pocket Guide to Writing a Synopsis
Writing a synopsis is an essential part of the novel development process. It helps the writer to convey the main features and genre of their work to potential readers, agents, and publishers. In this pocket guide, we will go through the necessary steps on how to write a compelling synopsis that will captivate your audience.
First and foremost, when writing a synopsis, remember to keep it concise. This is a brief summary of your novel, so make sure to cover only the most important plot points and main characters. Think of it as a teaser that introduces your story without giving away too much information.
The purpose of a synopsis is to analyze the main line of development in your novel and describe the genre and category it falls under. Readers and agents will read it to get a sense of what your novel is about and if it aligns with what they are looking for. Therefore, make sure to highlight the unique and interesting aspects of your story.
When describing your characters, focus on their motivations and how they change throughout the story. This will help the reader understand the journey your characters go through and make them more invested in the plot. Additionally, include any conflict or tension that drives the story forward.
Formatting your synopsis is also an important aspect to consider. Use a readable font and make sure the text is organized and easy to follow. You can use subheadings to separate different sections of the synopsis, such as the introduction, main plot points, and conclusion.
Once you’ve written your synopsis, it’s always a good idea to have someone else read it and provide feedback. They might be able to catch any inconsistencies or areas that need improvement. Remember, your synopsis should be able to stand alone and make sense to someone who hasn’t read your novel.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to write a synopsis, it’s time to think about where it will be displayed. If you’re submitting your novel to a publishing agent or entering it into a contest, they might require a synopsis as part of the submission process. Make sure to check their guidelines to ensure your synopsis meets their requirements.
With the above information, you can use it as a guide to write your synopsis. Always keep in mind the purpose of the synopsis and what you want to convey to the user. Writing a great synopsis takes time and practice, but with the right structure and attention to detail, it can help attract readers to your work and increase your chances of success in the market.
That’s it! You now have a pocket guide to writing a synopsis. Remember to stay organized, be clear and concise, and always highlight the unique aspects of your novel. Happy writing!
Why should I write a synopsis
Writing a synopsis is an essential part of the process if you want to submit your novel to agents or publishers. However, it can also be useful for other purposes.
A synopsis is a summary of your novel, written in a concise and structured format. It should describe the main characters, the plot, and the development of the story. By outlining the key points and events, a synopsis helps you convey the essence of your novel to anyone who reads it.
When an agent or publisher wants to analyze your work, they usually don’t have the time to read the whole manuscript. That’s where a synopsis becomes very useful. It allows them to get a quick idea of what your novel is about, without having to go through the entire text.
Moreover, a well-written synopsis can help you analyze your own writing. Seeing your story summarized can help you identify any inconsistencies or areas that need improvement. It can also help you evaluate whether you’ve effectively conveyed your thinking and ideas through the narrative.
Additionally, if you’re introducing your novel to readers or visitors on your website, a synopsis can be a great way to give them a taste of what they might expect. By reading a brief summary, they can decide if your novel falls within their preferred genre or if it’s something they might be interested in.
A synopsis can be stored in the cloud, in a pocket notebook, or even in a browser plugin. This allows easy access to the information whenever and wherever you need it. By keeping a well-written synopsis, you can use it as a reference to remind yourself of the key features of your novel or to refresh your memory on the important details.
In summary, a synopsis is necessary not only for submitting your work to agents or publishers, but also for your own analysis and for effectively conveying the essence of your novel to potential readers. It is a functional summary that helps users understand the purpose and genre of your work, and it’s a valuable tool that you should always have at hand.
Submitting your synopsis
Once you have finished writing your synopsis, it’s time to submit it. This is essentially your job application to literary agents and publishers, so it’s important to make sure it’s well-written and polished.
When submitting your synopsis, think about the purpose and intended audience. Agents and publishers will be looking for a clear and concise summary that conveys your novel’s main idea, characters, and plot without giving away too much detail. Your synopsis should help them understand what your book is about and how it might fit into the market.
Above all, keep in mind that agents and publishers receive numerous synopses daily, so yours needs to stand out. Here are some tips for submitting your synopsis:
- Check the submission guidelines of the agent or publisher you’re sending your synopsis to. Each genre or category may have specific features to include in your synopsis.
- Write a captivating opening line to hook the reader.
- Include a brief introduction, introducing the genre, setting, and main characters.
- Summarize the main plot points, highlighting the key events that drive the story forward.
- Describe the development of the characters and their conflicts.
- Convey the theme or central idea of your novel.
- Keep your synopsis around 500-600 words, but always follow the guidelines provided by the agent or publisher.
- Proofread your synopsis for any spelling or grammatical errors.
Submitting your synopsis can vary depending on the agent or publisher’s preferred method. Some may require a physical copy sent in the mail, while others may accept email submissions. Whatever the method, make sure to follow their instructions carefully.
Always keep a copy of your submission for your records. If you’re submitting via email, you might also want to make sure you have a read receipt or delivery confirmation to ensure it was received.
Remember, the publishing world can be competitive, so don’t be discouraged if you receive rejections along the way. Keep honing your writing skills and exploring different avenues to get your work out there. Good luck!
