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How to Write a Novel Synopsis: A Guide for Querying Authors
You have written and polished your novel, and now you are ready to seek a literary agent. As you prepare your submission materials, you will encounter a request for one of the most dreaded and challenging documents an author has to write: the novel synopsis.
A novel synopsis is a concise, comprehensive summary of your entire plot, from the inciting incident to the final resolution. It is a business document, not a piece of creative writing. Its purpose is to give an agent a clear, objective overview of your story’s structure and its commercial potential. This guide will break down the essential components and the correct format for a professional synopsis.
Key Takeaways & Summary
- A Plot Summary for Agents: A novel synopsis is a brief summary of your entire book, including the ending. It is a standard part of a submission package for a literary agent.
- The Goal is to Show, Not Tease: Unlike a query letter or back cover blurb, a synopsis must spoil everything. It needs to reveal all the major plot twists and the final ending.
- A Dry, Business Document: It should be written in a clear, concise, and professional tone. It is a summary of the plot, not a showcase for your beautiful prose.
- Standard Format: A synopsis is typically one to two pages, single-spaced, and written in the third person, present tense.
The Purpose of a Novel Synopsis: What an Agent is Looking For
An agent reads a synopsis to answer a few key business questions about your novel.
Does this story have a solid structure? The synopsis is the fastest way for an agent to see if your novel has a coherent structure with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Is the plot commercially viable? Does the story have a compelling conflict and a satisfying resolution that will appeal to a specific market?
Does this author know what they are doing? A professional, well-written synopsis signals that you are a serious author who understands the industry.
The Essential Components of a Novel Synopsis
Your synopsis should be a lean, plot-focused document. It must answer these key questions:
Who is the protagonist?
What is their primary goal?
What is the inciting incident that kicks off the story?
What are the main conflicts and obstacles they face? (Summarize the key events of Act II).
What is the climax of the story?
How is the central conflict resolved? (Spoil the ending!).
The synopsis should focus on the main plot and the primary character arc of your protagonist. You should omit most subplots and minor characters to keep it concise.
The Standard Format for a Professional Synopsis
Length: Check the specific agent’s guidelines, but the industry standard is one page, single-spaced. For a very complex novel, it can sometimes extend to two pages, but shorter is almost always better.
Point of View: Write in the third person (“he/she/they”), even if your novel is written in the first person.
Tense: Use the present tense (e.g., “Jane discovers the secret,” not “Jane discovered the secret”).
Font and Margins: Use a standard, readable font (like Times New Roman, 12-point) with standard 1-inch margins.
Character Names: The first time you introduce a major character, put their name in ALL CAPS.
A Simple Step-by-Step Writing Process
Start with Your Three Acts: Write one paragraph summarizing Act I, one to three paragraphs summarizing the key turning points of Act II, and one paragraph summarizing Act III.
Focus on Cause and Effect: Your synopsis should read like a chain of events. “Because of X, Jane does Y. This leads to Z, which forces her to confront…”
Cut Mercilessly: Your first draft will be too long. The key to a great synopsis is cutting everything that is not essential to the main plot. As writing resources like Writer’s Digest often advise, brevity and clarity are your biggest assets.
Proofread Multiple Times: A synopsis with typos can be an automatic rejection.
While a synopsis is a tool for traditional publishing, the process of writing one is an excellent way to test the strength of your own story’s structure, even if you plan to self-publish with our Amazon KDP publishing services.
Short FAQ
Q: Do I really have to spoil the ending?
A: Yes, absolutely. This is the most important rule. An agent needs to know how the story resolves to judge its commercial viability. A synopsis is not a marketing blurb; it’s a diagnostic tool.
Q: What is the difference between a query letter and a synopsis?
A: A query letter is a short, persuasive sales pitch designed to be a “teaser.” A synopsis is a longer, more detailed summary of the entire plot. An agent will ask for a synopsis if they are intrigued by your query.
Q: Should I hire someone to write my synopsis?
A: Because a synopsis is so closely tied to the query process, it’s a service often offered by professional editors or writing coaches. Our book editing services can include help with crafting your submission materials.
