How To Write A Novel Synopsis (Writing Advice) 

I've been working on my synopsis for a few months now. I have a "short" and "long" version. I didn't mind writing it, to be honest; it was easier than the query (which I loath). The one thing I can't find consensus on is length. 1-2 pages... is that single- or double-spaced? If only people in publishing would do word limits instead of page limits!

My agent on her website says 1.5 or double spaced for ease of reading. Also, my gut tells me, if you are going single line in order to cram it all in to 2 pages, then it it still needs cutting down a lot to strip out parts.

@@StephenAryan44 Oh gosh, no, not trying to cram. I'm an English teacher, so I know all those tricks. 😂 It's just that the query letter is single-spaced, so I assumed the synopsis was, too.

@@ArtemisMS I'd go 1.5 spacing myself.

I don't know why this makes me so nervous I can tell anyone about my story yet when I have to write down details and I know with a synopsis you're supposed to write the whole thing from beginning to end a query letter you're supposed to give them some of your story and a bio of yourself I think there's so much pressure put on us about this part that you don't want to make a mistake because it can make it or break it for you.

Glad you liked it!

You're welcome

Excellent and good luck!

Thanks, I'm glad to hear that it was helpful!

Hi, Yvette. You wouldn't write directly to a publisher, unless it was one that allowed you to submit directly. Most of the larger ones do not allow unsolicited submissions, so you have to go through an agent, or via an Open Submission window, when you can email them direct - but only for a limited time, such as the one that has just passed with Angry Robot books. As to how to address the agent, just play it safe and treat it like any other business correspondence, Dear Mr X, Dear Ms Y. Keep it formal.

@@StephenAryan44 Thank you I appreciate your advice. This publisher does want A query letter describing pretty much what you would write in a synopsis and sent by email I realized a lot of them don't want us sending the manuscript in the mail with the whole pandemic. I do find a little bit nerve racking because I know they say just a couple of paragraphs paragraphs yet I feel like I'm running so much of the story. I understand a synopsis is basically telling the entire story from beginning to end I'm just trying to be so careful not to use too much words to describe everything I'm not used to riding short form. Thank you again for your advice

If it's an important part of the plot then yes. The synopsis should be everything, with spoilers.

@@StephenAryan44 Thank You. I am trying to finalizes my work for Gollancz submissions.