Imagine someone is reading the synopsis before the book. What information is critical to include? Are there specific details about the setting of the novel or the world you’ve created that a reader would need to understand? Remember, you are trying to draw the reader into the story, so include a few interesting details that help people visualize where and when this is occurring.
What struggles does the protagonist or main character confront in the book? Are there specific obstacles the characters encounter that you should mention in the synopsis? What will happen if the protagonist fails or stumbles?
Try to keep the main characters from appearing one-dimensional by showing how they react to different situations. Even though you don’t have a lot of space in the synopsis, you can still provide readers with a sense of who the characters are and how they change over the course of the story.
It can be hard not to get bogged down in details, but a good place to start is by including a brief summary (1 to 2 sentences) of each chapter. Then, try to link and connect these summaries together. [5] X Research source You won’t be able to include all plot details, so try to identify the ones that are critical to understanding the book. Ask yourself if the ending would still make sense without that detail. If so, then leave it out of the synopsis. [6] X Research source
Literary agents want to know how you resolve the conflict in the novel and tie up your story. Don’t worry. If your story is published, the synopsis won’t be included on the back of the book and spoil the story for readers.
It can be helpful to read your synopsis out loud because you will be better able to notice grammar mistakes and find opportunities to improve the wording. Your brain has to process the information in a different way when you read aloud, and you often notice mistakes and problems you previously overlooked. [9] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC’s on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Ask friends, family members, or colleagues who have not read the book yet or aren’t familiar with what you are working on to read the synopsis. They will be able to provide a more objective view, and let you know if the synopsis makes sense to them and draws them into the story.
Who is the central character in the book? What are they looking for, searching for, or trying to achieve? Who or what makes their search, quest, or journey difficult? What ends up happening?
To get practice writing synopses, try working on one for a classic book or try writing a synopsis of a book you just read. Sometimes it is easier to start out practicing on a book that you haven’t spent hours, days, or years preparing.
If you are unsure, ask the agent or publisher about length, formatting, and style. Even if this is an assignment for a class, make sure you adhere to the instructions or guidelines your teacher provided.
Focus on clearly articulating your argument, and explain why the book should be published. Make an argument for why your book is important in some way.
You can also include a short description (1 to 2 sentences) of each chapter.
For example, does your book offer a unique perspective or a new way of thinking about a topic? List the leading authors and publications in the field and be clear about how your project is original. Also, describe why you are the author best suited or qualified to produce this work.
Include information on the section of the bookstore or bookshop you see your book being stocked in. This helps publishers assess whether the book will have an audience and how it should be marketed. Are there groups you think would have a definite interest in this book? For example, would this be used in specific college courses, or are there events such as historical anniversaries that the book could be linked to and marketed around?[18] X Research source
Discuss how much is currently completed, and give an estimate of when you expect to have a manuscript prepared.
While education and training are important things to mention, also think about whether there are parts of your background or life that publishers and readers may find interesting.
You do not have to be a specialist in the field to determine if a synopsis is interesting and readable, so don’t worry about finding someone who is an expert on the subject matter you write about.
For example, instead of writing “I went to the beach house every summer,” write, “Susan travels to the beach every summer. ”
Ask yourself if all the details are really relevant to the synopsis or if they can be left out. If your reader can still get a good idea of what the book is about without those details, scrap them. Dialogue is usually unnecessary in the synopsis, but if you do include it, keep it to a minimum and make sure it is used to reveal an important turning point or character development. Don’t worry about making your prose lyrical or elaborate. It will take up too much space, and you should focus your energy on using precise wording and providing a clear summary of your book. When you re-read your synopsis, ask yourself if there is a clearer or more precise word you could use in place of the one you currently included.
Include just enough detail to make the characters interesting and establish how they are connected or related. In the synopsis, a few phrases are typically sufficient to explain who a character is and where they come from.
For example, don’t write, “Will Tyler ever identify his mother’s killer?” Instead of posing this question, your synopsis should provide an answer.
Instead try to inject more emotion and detail into the synopsis by giving insight into how the characters feel. If you find yourself writing things such as “this happened, then this happened, and finally, this occurred,” it’s time to take a break and revisit the synopsis when you are feeling fresh. You don’t want the synopsis to feel like a boring rundown of a sports game. Some writers suggest pretending you are describing the book to your friends in the same way you would describe an exciting movie. Omit the boring or trivial details and focus on the highlights. [28] X Research source
If a literary agent likes your synopsis, you want to make sure they know who to contact.
If you typed your book in a certain font, stick with the same font for the synopsis so they match. You might also be submitting sample chapters, and the documents will look like they are part of the same package or go together.
Some writers recommend starting with a 5 page synopsis, and then condensing this document and trimming it down as needed. Be prepared for different length requirements ahead of time by having a 1 page and 3 page synopsis on hand. Even if the length requirements are slightly different, you should be able to easily adapt a 1 page or 3 page version. [29] X Research source
