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Synopsis Question

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:46 am
by MMcK
Hi there,
With only 500ish words, I'm wondering if this synopsis is supposed to read more like a query letter (grab your attention, leave some things undisclosed, snappy writing style), or more like a literal synopsis/book report (laundry list of plot facts). I am afraid you're going to say "somewhere in the middle", which will be difficult...
Just wanted to find out more of what you guys will be looking for in the synopsis. Do you want to be wowed, or do you want to know everything that's going to happen in the book?

Many thanks,
MM

Re: Synopsis Question

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:45 pm
by Deb Porter
We're very relaxed about this, but the query letter style will work fine. We just want to get a rough idea where you plan to take your novel. We don't need to know everything (point by point). We just need to get a general overview so we know that the great first chapter is likely to be backed up by a great book overall.

Love, Deb

Re: Synopsis Question

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:18 pm
by MMcK
Thanks! I'm SO much better at one than the other.... :)

Re: Synopsis Question

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:12 pm
by Jpostic
I'm floundering on the synopsis. I've seen some that resemble the back cover of a book, others that are excruciatingly detailed chapter by chapter, and everything in between. Are there samples that can be referenced?

Re: Synopsis Question

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:02 pm
by Deb Porter
Johnna, don't stress about it. We have some submitted that are just a brief paragraph, and others that go into more detail. All we need to know is the direction you have planned for your novel, and if you have a specific target reader.

But again, don't stress over it. You don't need to give a chapter by chapter breakdown. Just pretend you're talking to me and telling me about your book.

Love, Deb

Re: Synopsis Question

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 6:07 pm
by Jpostic
Thanks, Deb.