The Secret to
Writing a Great Synopsis
It really isn’t a
secret, but it sure does feel that way sometimes.
Literary agents and
publishers need synopses. It’s how they know whether the book is what they’re
looking for or need. They want a good story from a good, unique storyteller.
Authors pull their
hair out trying to write them. How pray-tell can an author take a full
manuscript they spent forever writing, and put it all into a nice cozy one-page
synopsis?
Okay, I exaggerated.
Most agents, publishers want one to three pages. Some will take up to five.
Many will put a word count on it.
Impossible? Wrong!
It can be done.
Authors do it
automatically without even realizing it when they talk about their storyline.
They immediately go into a narrative about their book.
What? That’s all it
is? Yes, however, the submission requirements requested by the agent or
publisher must be followed to the T. If you don’t, it will go straight into the
circular file.
Most agents and
publishers want the synopses in third person, present tense. If they want it a different way,
they will specify how they want to receive the synopses. Otherwise, third
person, present tense.
Even if your book is first person-present
tense, unless they specify differently, put it in third person, present tense.
So let’s get to the nitty gritty.
Write a first draft and/or outline.
Know your market, and know your genre. Your
market is always who, and your genre is what. So if you’re not sure ask
yourself who will sell it, who will read it, and that’s who will be interested
in reading the book.
Number one rule. This is a pitch. You are now
a salesperson, and are attempting to sell your book to them.
You are selling yourself, and the story. Be
colorful, dramatic, etc. If you’re not passionate about the story, they will
see it, right there in black and white.
Keep it short and simple. If it isn’t needed,
don’t put it in the synopsis.
Start with a strong line, or blurb that will
hook the reader introducing the story and first chapter. Think about how movie
companies promote their movies. Pay attention to how they use particular words
to grab your attention. Mimic what they’re doing. Do not copy what they’re
doing.
The point is to get them to keep reading.
Use your talent to express the uniqueness of
the story as the plot thickens and continues to the end.
Identify your main characters.
Follow the plot in its proper order by pulling
major events from each chapter that draws the story onward.
Start with how your story begins, conflicts, plot
twists, and how the story moves forward.
The action and character developments that
lead to the story’s climax, conflicts, etc.
Don’t forget to include the ever-important
climax.
Include how you’ve tied in everything from the
previous chapters, and how everything comes to a conclusion.
Always include the story's ending.
Did you see that? Always include the ending.
Okay, now walk away for a few days.
Return to the draft, reread, and do your re-writes. If you
have a narrator program on your computer, listen to it. You’d be surprised how
different it will sound when you’re listening to it.
Edit.
Now edit again, and if you can pay a professional editor get
someone to see it with a different set of eyes.
This is the agent/publisher’s first impression of your work.
You must present your best!
The competition is very high.
Take your time and do it right. Don’t forget to follow the
submission requirements exactly how they request it.
Good luck!
Congratulations on your book.
Want a jump on marketing and advertising?
This book’s for you. My whole point of writing it is to help all authors. I’ve had many established authors, aspiring authors, and WIP authors ask me a multitude of questions and I was more than happy to help. (WIP-work in progress) I took the most commonly asked questions and solutions and put them in a nifty, absolutely priceless book.
What you’ll find in Be More Successful with Marketing and AdvertiZING:
Social Media Marketing and AdvertiZING for Books or Any Business
Becoming a Bestseller
Saying NO and Being the Bad Guy
How to Write Incredible Click Enticing Promotions
Promoting Your Book With or Without a Publisher
How Much is That Advertisement in the Window?
Self-publishing Doesn’t Have to be a Disaster
How to Make Your Website Awesome
Taking the Plunge into Publishing Audio Books
How to Make More Sales at Book Signings
The Uniform of Success
Purchase Be More Successful with Marketing and AdvertiZING at your favorite bookstore or on Amazon.
E-Book $4.99
Paperback $9.99
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
You can find me:
PamelaAckerson.net
PamAckerson@AdCMagazine.com
Twitter.com/PamAckerson
Facebook.com/pam.ackerson.7
Amazon.com/Pamela-Ackerson/e/B00QY1ARI4
Wondering what my qualifications are? Don't want to get any advice from someone who doesn't know what they're talking about? I understand! There are too many people out there giving bad advice.
The first thing I'm going to tell you is that the book industry is constantly changing and even the "experts" have to keep their ears to the ground to stay in the game!
Okay, so...Here goes.
I'm President of Marketing and Advertising for AdC Magazine. Affaire de Coeur Book Review Magazine has been in business since 1980. No small potatoes there! We've managed to survive all the ups and downs in the industry. www.adcmagazine.com
I'm an award-winning, Wall Street Journal, Amazon and Barnes and Noble bestselling author. I've been a published author since 1972. Yup, you read that right. My 10th grade high school teacher entered my sci-fi short story in the Science Fiction Reader's Digest Contest and I took first place. I continued to write and publish short stories for several years after that.
A short break--which felt like forever--in 1996 I finished my first novel. I was picked up by a publisher two years later and I haven't stopped since.
