What should a synopsis look like

Also, you should be able to list any marketing opportunities you believe your book may have, such as identifiable, or even guaranteed readers such as students if you teach a course, anniversary tie-ins and so on. A literary agent is often prepared to sell a non-fiction work on synopsis and chapters only.

This is an extreme rarity in the case of fiction. This is because it is easier for people to see if there is a market gap that can be filled by the project, before the work is finished. You may not need an agent for certain, more niche types of non-fiction book.

In these cases publishers may well be prepared to take direct submissions from you. Again, this is because in the area of self-help or business books for example, a list will know clearly what its gaps are. It may have a standard format it is looking to sell books in. You should certainly research these formats and contact editors specialised lists to find out if they do have space for your idea, and so that they can let you know exactly how they like work to be presented before forming the project in your mind.

I think it best in general for the non-fiction writer to prepare two different types of proposal. The first would form an initial pitch and the second the follow-up proposal if the editor or literary agent asks to see more.

Both documents need to be thoroughly persuasive as these may go directly towards securing a book deal. This should be no more than one to two pages. Include a brief summary e. Ideally, you should also include an overview of other work in the field, and argue why yours fills an important gap. In addition, you should include a chapter breakdown, giving a provisional title for each chapter with a brief summary 30—60 words, as a guide only of the contents of each chapter to show how the book is structured throughout.

Here also, do spell out any ideas you have about how the book might be marketed. As non-fiction markets are more specific than fiction markets, it is helpful for the author to help the agent or editor know what hooks there might be to help sell copies.

As I have said, if you are lucky enough to have any guaranteed markets, such as students on a course you teach, do of course inform the industry of this. If you can estimate a word count for the length of the work do so.

For some pre-formatted non-fiction titles, there will be a word-length you will be expected to hit anyway. You will discover this as you research. Most importantly in the longer pitch you need to show that you can write the book. Do provide more in-depth chapter breakdowns — words each and critically —10, words of polished, irresistibly clear and well-written text to show that you are capable of executing your intentions in a winning manner.

I would always advise writing the introduction and the opening chapter if possible to really show you mean business. Those two together would usually take you to between and 10, words. Whilst it is worth spending time ensuring you have a good, short, confident cover letter, synopsis and it is important to stress that there is nothing as important to an editor than the quality of your writing and your ability to sustain the interest of a reader in the main body of the text.

A synopsis is not a magic wand that will influence the real standard of a work. Which authors more known to English language readers might relate to this author they've never heard of before?

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Find out here! Takes one minute. The synopsis is a short, lively overview of your novel. It sits alongside the opening of your novel and your agent pitch letter in your pitch package, and it lays out the complete narrative arc of your plot.

Some agents will read the synopsis all through before even looking at the writing sample. No literary agent worth their salt is going to object to a really good one-pager. What you definitely need at or near the top of the synopsis is your pitch line. In a fiction work, like a novel or TV show, this includes the inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution.

You also give the readers a quick overview of your characters, personality traits or motivations. In a non-fiction work, you provide an overview of what the paper or work is about. Provide the readers with something to entice them into reading the document or work, along with why they should.

For example, you can point out the voice, unique plot twists or points of view of a novel. Therefore, after writing your synopsis, read it over to see if there is any way you can tweak it to make it more clear. Explore areas that you might have gotten a bit too wordy on. Now that you have seen lots of different synopsis examples, try making one of your own. You can also explore how to write a shorter synopsis, known as a logline.

Need more examples in your life? Give plot of story examples a look through. All rights reserved. What Is a Synopsis? Synopsis Examples of Literature Typically, when you look at the back of a book, you can find a short synopsis. Fairy Tale Story Synopsis Examples While generally under the heading of literature, fairy tales are unique because they have so many adaptations.

Synopsis Example of Cinderella The well-known fairy tale of Cinderella explores her servant-like relationship with her cruel stepsisters and a cruel stepmother. Synopsis Example of The Little Mermaid In this classic fairy tale, a mermaid, Ariel, falls in love with a man and tries desperately to become human so that the man will fall in love with her as well.

Synopsis Example of Plays Another common area you might see a synopsis is of a play.