Querying a literary agent is a daunting task, but it’s even worse when you don’t know where to start. Knowing what a synopsis is and how long it should be is one of the first steps to creating the perfect query pack.
Find out the answers to these questions below!
What is a synopsis?
A novel synopsis is a description of the novel’s events. It summarises what happens in your novel to give a plot breakdown for a literary agent or publisher to read without needing to read your whole manuscript.
You’ll likely not need a synopsis until you’re submitting your book to agents and publishers. Some writers like to write a synopsis to guide them while editing, while others might write one before cutting it down into a blurb.
A synopsis is essential for querying literary agents and submitting to publishers. It gives them an overview of the plot and characters involved, helping them decide whether they’re interested in reading further.
If a literary agent reads a query cover letter for a romance novel, they’re going to check if the synopsis has everything they’re looking for. Your synopsis is your chance to show them that you’ve written a complete, clear story.
It might be useful to think of your agent query pack like this:
- The cover letter grabs the agent’s attention.
- The manuscript extract or sample chapters shows off your writing.
- The synopsis tells the agent why they should keep reading.
How long should a synopsis be?
A synopsis should usually be no more than a page long, at around 500 words. However, some literary agents or agencies might request that it’s shorter or longer than that.
I’ve seen some agents ask for a maximum of 350 words and others expect something closer to 700 words.
With such a small amount of space, your synopsis needs to cover only the big events and plot points in the book. Start out by listing all of the major plot points. After you’ve done that, you can add more details to show character development.
You’ll probably go over 500 words the first time. That’s okay – try rewriting it and cutting out too many unnecessary details or redundant words.
What should a synopsis include?
A synopsis should include a hook, the major plot points, and any plot twists or spoilers.
If you think you should avoid spoilers (like the antagonist in a murder mystery) or plot twists (like the protagonist’s secret backstory), stop. Agents are reading your synopsis to find out what happens. They want to be spoiled, because if they don’t like the idea of your twist then requesting a full manuscript will waste both your time and theirs.
On the flip side, if they absolutely love the idea of your twist, they’re going to be even more excited to request the full manuscript from you!
If you have room, details about character development for your protagonist(s) should also be included. You need to show the agent how your character changes throughout the story.
For instance, you might add a line about something the character learns about themself following a major event. This shows the impact of the event and how it works within your story past just happening.
How to write a synopsis
Don’t grab your manuscript and dive straight into writing your synopsis. Instead, write out all of the plot points in chronological order.
If you’re a planner and you have an outline, writing a synopsis should be pretty easy.
Once you have the plot points written out, figure out the hook for your book. Maybe your novel is a second-chance romance. You might start out your draft like this:
Protagonist (36) is a single mother struggling with juggling two teenagers and an elderly father. When Ex (38) comes back into the picture, she’s stuck between keeping her independence and relying on his help.
The rest of your synopsis will follow, showing what your protagonist experiences and how they grow throughout the story.
Don’t worry if it doesn’t feel right to begin with. Rewrite, edit, and get some feedback from other writers until you feel happy with it.
You can even edit your synopsis for different literary agents – maybe one is looking for a particular trope, so you add in more details about that trope.
How to start a synopsis when you’re stuck
If you’re stuck on writing a synopsis, try the bullet point method first. Write a list of bullet points to go through the events in your book. Don’t worry about full sentences. Only focus on the absolute basics.
Still stuck? Try explaining your book to someone else and writing down what you mention. You could do this online with a friend or even just by writing an explanation down as if you’re telling someone you know what happens.
If you have beta readers, you could ask them to break down the plot for you, to get an idea of what’s memorable to them after they’ve finished the story. You will always know the most about your book, but someone else will only remember the parts that stuck out to them.