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How to Write a Novel Synopsis
By: Jane Friedman
It’s probably the single most despised document you might be asked to prepare: the synopsis. The synopsis is sometimes required because an agent or publisher wants to see, from beginning to end, what happens in your story. Thus, the synopsis must convey a book’s entire narrative arc. It shows what happens and who changes, and it has to reveal the ending.
Don’t confuse the synopsis with sales copy—the kind of material that might appear on your back cover or in an Amazon description. You’re not writing a punchy marketing piece for readers that builds excitement. It’s not an editorial about your book.
Unfortunately, there is no single “right” way to write a synopsis. You’ll find conflicting advice about the appropriate length, which makes it rather confusing territory for new writers especially. However, I recommend keeping it short, or at least starting short. Write a one-page synopsis—about 500-600 words, single spaced—and use that as your default, unless the submission guidelines ask for something longer. If your synopsis runs longer, anything up to two pages (again, single spaced) is usually acceptable. Most agents/editors will not be interested in a synopsis longer than a few pages.
While this post is geared toward writers of fiction, the same principles can be applied to memoir and other narrative nonfiction works.
AGENTS & EDITORS
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- Literary Agents List
- Preditors and Editors
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Tips for a Successful Editor Appointment
- Want More? Here’s How to Get It
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Windup for the (Story) Pitch
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
CHARACTERIZATION
- 24 Jobs for Fantasy Characters
- 5 Tips for Writing Conflict into Your Book
- 60 Ways to Create and Heighten Conflict
- Craft True-to-Life Nonfiction Characters
- Crafting Romantic Suspense
- Dynamic Characters
- Fiction vs Nonfiction
- How to Write Effective Dialogue in 6 Steps
- Knowing and Finding Your Voice
- Painting With A Character’s Brush
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- The Sticky Story
- What is Characterization?
- Why Your Story Conflict Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)
- Working with a Critique Group
CONFLICT
DIALOGUE
FORMATTING & GRAMMAR
- Achieving 250 Words / 25 Lines Per Page
- And Sammy, too? Oh, No!
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Edit Easier
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Misused Words
- Navigating In Your Novel
- Proofreaders Marks
- Research Links
- Rules for Writers
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- Tightening Your Manuscript and Trimming the Word Count
MARKETS
- 35 Online Work Ideas to Earn Good Money Whilst Studying
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- An Interview with Holly Ambrose
- Copyright Primer, Know Your Rights
- EBooks-Fears to Possibilities
- Finding Markets Fiction and Nonfiction
- Freelance Writing 101
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- How To Be a (Shiver) Reporter
- How To Market Your Book After You’ve Written It
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- How To Write Your Own Press Releases
- Love to Write: Here Is How You Can Build Your Career
- Magazine Links
- Making Money As a Corporate Freelancer
- Market News–All Genres
- Need a Clip? Open a Newspaper
- Newspaper Writing Resources
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Selling to Children’s Markets
- Submission Tracking
- Submitting to UK Markets
- Syndication 101
- To Specialize, or Not to Specialize?
- Ultimate Guide to Being a Freelancer 2023 Update
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Why E-Books?
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
- Write Your Way to $1000 a Month
- Writing Groups List
- Youth Writing Markets
PLOTTING
- 3 Ways to Know When to End Your Chapters
- 7 Excellent Plotting Tips from Agatha Christie
- 7 Ways to Add Great Subplots to Your Novel
- 8 Best Writing Tips to Become a Best Storyteller
- Does Your Plot Need a Subplot?
- Love to Write: Here Is How You Can Build Your Career
- The All Purpose Plot
- Turning Points and Plot Points in Storytelling
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Writing the Novel by the Numbers
POINT OF VIEW
PUBLISHING
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- Copyright Primer, Know Your Rights
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- How To Market Your Book After You’ve Written It
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- Love to Write: Here Is How You Can Build Your Career
- Making Money As a Corporate Freelancer
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publishers Websites
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Submission Tracking
- Syndication 101
- The Great Limbo Mystery Question
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Why E-Books?
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
QUERIES & PROPOSALS
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- Landing An Agent Elements Of A Winning Query
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Submission Tracking
- Surviving a Book Proposal
- Windup for the (Story) Pitch
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
- Writing a Synopsis & Query Letter
SUBMISSIONS
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- An Interview with Jack Fisher
- EBooks-Fears to Possibilities
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- Literary Agents List
- Newspaper Writing Resources
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Science Writing Organizations
- Selling to Children’s Markets
- Submission Tracking
- Surviving a Book Proposal
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Write Your Way to $1000 a Month
- Writing a Synopsis & Query Letter
SYNOPSIS
TIP SHEETS & GUIDELINES
WRITING TOOLS & APPS
- And Sammy, too? Oh, No!
- Beyond the Basics
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work
- Free AI Tools That Can Be Used In Business Writing
- Helpful Books
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Ideas Escape Me
- Knowing Your Target Audience
- Magazine Links
- Misused Words
- Newspaper Writing Resources
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Reconsider Hand Writing
- Research Links
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- The 8 Habits of Highly Successful Young-Adult Fiction Authors
- Unblocking Your Muze
- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Word Processors Through Time: Before MS Word & Google Docs
- Working with a Critique Group
- Writing Groups List
- You Can Write A Short Story Part 1 The Story Idea
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 2 The Meat of the Story
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 3 The Climax
WRITING CONTESTS
WRITING CONTESTS
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• ALL WRITING CONTESTS
- 2023 SEP Contests, Workshops, Webinars
- 2023 Emily Contest
- 2023 AUG Contests, Workshops, Webinars
- 2023 JUL Contests, Workshops, Webinars
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- 2023 MAR Contests, Workshops, Webinars
- 2023 FEB Contests, Workshops, Webinars
- 2023 JAN Contests, Workshops, Webinars
- 2022 DEC Contests, Workshops, Webinars
- 2022 NOV Contests, Workshops, Webinars
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