So, you wrote a book!
First and foremost, congratulations! Being a writer allows you to tell many stories – whatever tickles your fancy!
But now that you’ve polished your manuscript, it’s time to present your book to literary agents and publishers. Yes, you’ll need a query letter and a sample of your manuscript.
But what about a synopsis? Did you write one? If not, then not to worry!
In this brief guide, we will show you what a novel synopsis is, and share some tips and tricks on writing a killer synopsis to wow literary agents and publishers!
Let’s dive right in!
Define “Synopsis”
“A synopsis is meant to be a short summary of your story,” says Charlie Austin, a writer at Ratedwriting and Write My Essay. “It must simplify your story from beginning to end. Keep in mind: You’re telling the reader – or, in this case, the publisher or literary agent – the juicy parts of your story. Also, your synopsis is not the same as the blurb that you find on the back of a book. Normally, blurbs aren’t allowed to spill the beans, but you can do that with a synopsis. In other words, the synopsis will be a full rundown of your book.”
Tips And Tricks to Write a Novel Synopsis
Now that you know what a novel synopsis is, it’s time to write one! Here are 6 tips and tricks on how to write a great synopsis!
1. Know Your Book’s Genre
First, have a look at your story. What genre speaks to you? Fiction? Nonfiction? Fantasy?
Believe it or not, there are many genres that make up literature. So, when talking about your book in the synopsis, it’s important to know the genre of your story. Also, specify which age group, demographic, etc. that you’re writing for in the synopsis.
2. Create An Outline
Before officially writing a novel synopsis, you’ll need to create an outline. This format can help you organize your ideas as you brainstorm for your synopsis:
The first paragraph should introduce your protagonist (i.e., hero, antihero, etc.), the conflict, and the setting(s).
The second paragraph should explain what happens to the protagonist. Here, you can also mention your antagonist (the villain), as well as any important secondary characters (i.e., love interest or sidekick).
The third paragraph should describe how the protagonist will overcome the major obstacles. Also, this is where you reveal the ending.
If you follow this format, you’ll get a good start to your synopsis.
3. Invent A Catchy Pitch Line
Readers and agents will only remember a catchy line from your story. What line will stand out to them? What is the one question that seems to revolve around the story?
One option would be to select a quote from your book which best sums up your story. Using the right quote has the potential to entice readers.
Or, another option is to ask the reader a question. The answer to that question will ultimately drive the story.
4. Stick To Third-Person Writing
“The synopsis should be about your book, not you as the writer,” says Bethany Styles, a blogger at Resume Service and Top essay writing services. “So, it’s important to write your book’s synopsis in third-person. Even if your book is written in first-person, a third-person-written synopsis shows readers and agents how professional you are, when it comes to your writing.”
5. Details! Details!
The synopsis is where you tell all. Don’t be afraid to reveal major plot points, plot twists, etc.
To help you come up with the details, keep the following questions in mind:
What is the protagonist up against?
Who is the villain? Or, what is the antagonizing force?
What makes the protagonist’s world interesting?
Why should people care about the protagonist?
Who are the protagonist friends with? Or, who are they in love with?
6. Think About Word Count
Finally, you’ll need to consider the word count for your synopsis.
Now, some agents and publishers will have their own requirements, when it comes to word count. However, a page-long synopsis would definitely suffice. While you can get away with two pages of synopsis, you can’t go over that. Plus, you’ll need your synopsis to be single-spaced.
Conclusion
We hope that these tips and tricks will help you write a novel synopsis that speaks volumes about your book. Now, that you know how to write a great synopsis, it’s time to wow literary agents and publishers with your written masterpiece!
Good luck!
Madeline Miller is a writer at Writing Populist and Student Writing Services. She is also a contributing editor for Best essay writing services. As a content writer, she writes articles about education, reading and writing, and publishing trends.
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