The Synopsis and its Friends

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When I am asked what my books are about, I try to respond with one sentence. That answer is not a synopsis, but what I would consider one of the synopsis’ “friends.” Books descriptions serve specific purposes. And just to make it easier, not everyone agrees on the rules. I’ve pulled together some thoughts and resources on what I consider the three most common forms of synopses.

Three Forms of Synopses

The Synopsis

What it is:  Tells the entire story, particularly the conflict

Length:  One-page single spaced or two pages double spaced maximum

Purpose:  To interest an agent or publisher to request manuscript

Tip:  Convey emotion

Example:  Spoiler alert! This synopsis includes the ending of “The Way Way Back.”

The Book Blurb

What it is: The 30-second elevator pitch normally seen in advertisement copy or on a book’s back cover or inside jacket flap

Length:  100 – 200 words

Purpose:  To tell potential readers enough to get them interested or used by sales representatives to pitch titles, post on retailers’ websites, and post in catalogues

Tip:  Make a connection with readers and book buyers

Example: Distributors’ book blurb (advertisement copy) for “Believing In Horses, Too”

The Super Short Synopsis

What it is:  My term for the short answer to describe the book in conversation or to append to a biographical line in a written post

Length:  One sentence

Tip:  Not much written on this one, but it’s the one I use most

Example:  A girl in a military family overcomes fears through her work with therapeutic riding programs (“Believing In Horses, Too”)

Additional Resources

Following are some additional useful resources I’ve found, with a brief description of each.

Back to Basics: Writing a Novel Synopsis (Jane Friedman) – Outstanding advice, and many useful links.

Five Tips on How to Write a Novel Synopsis (Chuck Sambuchino) – This article and links to other articles on the synopsis; the author also provides freelance services for synopsis writing.

Query Shark  –  Blog providing advice on how to write query letters that work – much based on synopses. Writers may submit their queries for critique.

How to Write the Back Blurb for Your Book (Joanna Penn) – Advice on back cover blurbs, and a little more.

Conclusion

Now you try – at the very least, ensure you have a super short synopsis ready to describe your writing, your business, or whatever it is that you do. Feel free to share here!

Author: valerieormond

Writer - please also visit my Believing In Horses website to learn more about my books at http://believinginhorses.com/

8 thoughts on “The Synopsis and its Friends”

  1. Chris The Story Reading Ape – Hereford, UK – I am what my name states, an ape of the primate species called Homo Sapiens Sapiens. My blog is intended to present New (to me) Authors, whose stories or books I have read and enjoyed, so that anyone who happens to stumble onto this blog, while searching for a book to read, or, a new (to them) author to try, may find what they seek, or, at least, inspiration. I have also made the blog an Author Promotions Enterprise to be a platform for authors to introduce themselves to potential readers and to provide advice and tips resources information they can use to improve and enhance their story telling efforts. Please be advised that I reserve the right to remove, or decline to publish, any comments that I deem inappropriate.
    The Story Reading Ape says:

    Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's New (to me) Authors Blog and commented:
    Synopsis for your synapses to think about 🙂

    1. valerieormond – Maryland – Writer - please also visit my Believing In Horses website to learn more about my books at http://believinginhorses.com/
      valerieormond says:

      Thank you, Chris! Bananas coming your way.

      1. Chris The Story Reading Ape – Hereford, UK – I am what my name states, an ape of the primate species called Homo Sapiens Sapiens. My blog is intended to present New (to me) Authors, whose stories or books I have read and enjoyed, so that anyone who happens to stumble onto this blog, while searching for a book to read, or, a new (to them) author to try, may find what they seek, or, at least, inspiration. I have also made the blog an Author Promotions Enterprise to be a platform for authors to introduce themselves to potential readers and to provide advice and tips resources information they can use to improve and enhance their story telling efforts. Please be advised that I reserve the right to remove, or decline to publish, any comments that I deem inappropriate.
        The Story Reading Ape says:

        Welcome Valerie, it’s a great article 🙂

  2. Carol Balawyder – Hi- Thank you for stopping by. I am the author of the Getting To Mr. Right Series which includes Missi's Dating Adventures, Café Paradise, Not By Design and The Longest Nine Months. I also wrote Mourning Has Broken , a memoire on grief. I am currently using my experience as a criminologist to write crime novels. I am mostly interested in domestic crime and noir fiction. You can read my first psychological suspense novel Warning Signs and my second novel Just Before Sunrise. Being a messy and unorganized writer I wrote two author notebooks to keep me focused on my character traits and my settings. I also blog regularly on my website. I hope to see you there at www.carolbalawyder.com/blog. You can check out my books on my author profile at: https://www.amazon.com/Carol-Balawyder/e/B00QYYX008%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share I wish you all peace and success.
    Carol Balawyder says:

    I always find writing a synopsis so stressful What to leave in, what to leave out. Thanks for this post and the links:)

    1. valerieormond – Maryland – Writer - please also visit my Believing In Horses website to learn more about my books at http://believinginhorses.com/
      valerieormond says:

      Thank you, Carol. One of the reasons I wrote this post is because there seems to be much mystery around the synopsis. Not saying I am the best detective, but I’ve done a little research. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.

      1. Carol Balawyder – Hi- Thank you for stopping by. I am the author of the Getting To Mr. Right Series which includes Missi's Dating Adventures, Café Paradise, Not By Design and The Longest Nine Months. I also wrote Mourning Has Broken , a memoire on grief. I am currently using my experience as a criminologist to write crime novels. I am mostly interested in domestic crime and noir fiction. You can read my first psychological suspense novel Warning Signs and my second novel Just Before Sunrise. Being a messy and unorganized writer I wrote two author notebooks to keep me focused on my character traits and my settings. I also blog regularly on my website. I hope to see you there at www.carolbalawyder.com/blog. You can check out my books on my author profile at: https://www.amazon.com/Carol-Balawyder/e/B00QYYX008%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share I wish you all peace and success.
        Carol Balawyder says:

        You’re welcome 🙂

    1. valerieormond – Maryland – Writer - please also visit my Believing In Horses website to learn more about my books at http://believinginhorses.com/
      valerieormond says:

      Thanks for the reblog. Woof:)

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