You’ve finished drafting your novel, been through a round or two of edits, sent it to beta readers for feedback, maybe even hired a professional editor to really make it sing, and now you’re getting ready to pitch it to contests, literary agents, and/or publishers.
Well, friend, you’re going to need a synopsis.
If there’s one step of the book writing process authors love to hate, it’s this one. And I get it. It’s not easy to distill an 80,000-word novel into two pages, and it hurts a little bit to strip your masterpiece of all its color and nuance in order to create this kind of distillation. It can feel very transactional. But it’s also critical.
Why? Because it helps agents, editors, fellowship judges, etc. understand right off the bat what shape your novel is in. Is it paced well? Do your characters’ actions and motivations drive the plot? Are there any gaping plot holes or genre problems? (Or, on the flip side, are the characters compelling and complex, the action gripping, and the ending just the right amount of satisfying and open?) Based on what they see in the synopsis, these decisionmakers have a better sense of whether they can invest the time and resources required to champion your book. If they like what they see, they’ll read more. And your goal, of course, is to show them that you’re a fantastic bet.
So, how do you do it?
1. Be Thorough
First and foremost, the synopsis is not the place to avoid spoilers. As much as it may pain you to reveal that big third-act plot twist, withholding it isn’t going to do you any favors. Start with a brief description of the genre or category and overall length of the novel, as well as your pitch line. Next, introduce your protagonist(s), the primary conflict, and the world of the book. Then, bite the bullet and explain the major plot points — yes, including the big twists and the final resolution. As you do this, be sure you’re demonstrating how character motivation drives plot and demonstrating the cause-and-effect nature of the action.
That said, if you’re worried about how to fit everything on one to three pages, you’re absolutely right. Avoid overwhelming your reader by introducing everyone in your sprawling cast of characters — highlight just your protagonist, antagonist, and a couple of the most important supporting characters — or diving deep into every single subplot. It’s okay — and even encouraged — to keep it high level even while you’re being thorough.
2. Be Concrete
This is a “just the facts” document. It’s not the right venue for waxing eloquent about the major themes your novel explores; you’re better off sticking to plot. And this is certainly not the place to “sell” your novel through praise, accolades, or predictions that it will be the next surprise international bestseller. I would go so far as to avoid descriptions like “gripping” or “heartwarming” or “powerful.” Your job here is to show them what it’s made of so they can be the judge.
That said, this doesn’t mean your synopsis has to be a dry and boring litany of “then so-and-so did this and so then this happened.” You’re allowed to let your voice — and the tone of the story — shine through in the synopsis. If the novel a quippy comedy, feel free to be a little playful in your synopsis. If it’s an atmospheric horror, don’t hesitate to bring some of that darkness into the overview. Yes, you’re focusing on a straightforward plot outline, but it will be much more fun to read — and write — if you allow a little personality to shine through.
3. Follow Directions
Finally, as with every piece of every submission package, please, please follow directions. Some agents will request a one-page synopsis, and others will ask for three pages. Whatever parameters they give you, assume they mean it (because they do), and follow them to the absolute best of your abilities. (And no formatting tricks — it doesn’t count as one page if you made it fit by setting the font size to “microscopic” and vaporizing the margins.)
You may be convinced the reader needs that ten-page version of the synopsis along with the full manuscript, but if they’ve only asked for a three-page version and the first thirty pages, all you achieve by sending more is showing the agent or editor that you’re going to be difficult to work with. More than likely, your submission will go right in the trash. Sorry about the tough love, but it’s true.
Synopses aren’t easy. The idea of squeezing the key points of your entire novel onto just a page or two is intimidating and often frustrating. But when you master the art, you give your book a serious advantage.
Do you have any tips for writing a successful synopsis? Share them in the comments below! And, if you need support crafting yours, please reach out. I’d love to talk about how I can help.