How long must my synopsis be?

[agentelle]

This may be a common subject, and apologies in advance if I've missed a post or if I've put this in the wrong forum. But I have a quick question that I hope some of you could help me with :)

I'm coming to the very end of my novel and am going to be rewriting at the start of next week. Shortly I'll be putting together my submission package for agents and publishers.

I've got the cover letter and sample chapters sorted, but I'm a bit stuck with the synopsis.

I've heard from some sources that the synopsis has to be about a page long; others, including some writing guides I have, mention 3 or more pages.

What is usually correct?

My book is of the chick-lit genre. I'm based in the UK. Could anyone advise me on this?

Thanks! :D

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

As I worked through the submission process, I found the agents and/or publishers each had their own requirement, unfortunately. Seemed like I had to tweek the synopsis for each one. I'd just write the synopsis, if I were you, and then tweek it as you go to fit each submission.

[nevada]

agentelle, i'm sort of worried about your use of the phrase "sample chapters." You do realize that when an agent asks for chapters, he wants the first three chapters. Not random chapters that you think are good?

a synposis can be anywhere from one page to ten depending on what the agent wants. most of them will ask for a synopsis when they ask for a partial rather than asking for one with the query. as such they'll specify how long a synopsis they like.

[agentelle]

Nevada - yes, I am well aware that I'd need to send the first three chapters. (Random ones would be rather pointless!)

Thanks for the advice - I'll write a synopsis and then tweak it for each agent/publisher I send it to, :D

[nevada]

LOl okay, no worries. the word "sample" threw me off. :D

[James D. Macdonald]

One, three, and ten pages are all common. Check the guidelines; go from there.

[DeleyanLee]

I generally come up with a 1 page, 2-3 page and a 8-10 page synopsis, honestly. Those are the general lengths that most agents/publishers want.

And, once it's sold, it's good to have the 8-10 pager on hand to send in with the ms. This is all that various internal departments (including art) will ever see of the book. Best to have it ready.

[Swordswoman]

Hi, agentelle, and welcome to AW! :welcome:

I'm UK based too, and yes, the requirements of different agents and publishers vary here a lot. PFD used to ask for 4 double-spaced pages giving every twist and turn of the plot, Annette Greene wanted a single page of 'blurb' type material, keeping the ending secret for suspense. :Shrug:

The best advice is that already given, ie to check the individual requirements and take it from there. Many do not post sufficiently detailed guidelines on the web, but will tell you what you want if you phone.

Only one question - and forgive me if this sounds patronising, it's only a question - if you're only just now starting your second draft, are you sure you're ready to submit? Greene & Heaton used to say right out on their website not to waste their time with first or second drafts. There are no rehearsals here, and if everyone rejects a book you can't resubmit it when it's written better. Only when you're 100% sure it's the very best you can do is it time to submit.

If you are, that's great, and you're a much better writer than me. I took four drafts to be sure, and the fact I snagged an agent first go probably owes more to the fact a lot of other writers submit too soon than it does to anything special about me. Unfortunately...

[scarletpeaches]

I'm in the UK as well.

I've noticed in the W&A Yearbook there are variations. I'd prepare half-page, one-page and two-page synopses and send out whatever the agent wants.

[maestrowork]

I usually have a 1-page, 2-oage, 5-page, and 10-page ready. I have a good system of creating these without too much repetitive effort.

Most people ask for 1 to 2 pages. But follow the guidelines.

[chevbrock]

Just want to chime in my thanks for everyone's input. I've just read this, and reckon that my 3-page synopsis could quite safely have a page or two extra, as they have asked for a "full" synopsis.

[qwerty]

A safe average for UK is a couple of pages. I do synos at 1.5 line space.