Is a Synopsis Necessary?

zegota said:

Where did you get this? Agents vary wildly, so you might need to write more than one synopsis, as horrible as that sounds. I've seen some agents demand a page long synopsis, and some request a 4-6 page synopsis.

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Zegota, I get where you're coming from, but in this case the 1k rule is actually pretty good advice. Some agents will request a 1-page synopsis, and some a 5 or 10-pager, but 9 times out of 10 they don't specify length.

In which case, 2 pages single-spaced is about the average, and about 1k words.

My synopsis was about 900 words. I was paranoid about it getting too long but was assured it was fine.

I do think 2k is pushing it for a standard, boilerplate synopsis, unless possibly you are the reincarnation of Robert Jordan.

Taylor said:

I got mine to around 900 words. Yes, I expect I'll have to write an assortment of different length synopses, because this industry seems to love making things difficult.

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I finally managed to get mine down to two pages, double-spaced, 673 words. Took a quite a few versions, and numerous shreddings by my critique group, but I'm surprisingly happy with it.

The synopsis has everything you need to critique the arc/plot and the major MCs. I don't see a need for a query, which is really an over-bloated cover blurb. My HO, of course. So it's the other way around for me--why the query?

I'd rather craft the synopsis than the query, any day. Even when a magazine requests a synopsis for a *short story* (something I'd never seen before, in my limited experience). Query letters kill me.

How long should a synopsis be, generally?

Results may vary

zegota said:

Where did you get this? Agents vary wildly, so you might need to write more than one synopsis, as horrible as that sounds. I've seen some agents demand a page long synopsis, and some request a 4-6 page synopsis.

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Ah, I was wondering if someone was going to get to this point before me!

I have a standard 4-paged synopsis written for general use -- I say "standard" only insofar as it's MY standard, not an industry standard, mind you. I use it when the submission guidelines call for a synopsis, and the length isn't specified (which it often isn't).

If an agent requests more material from me, and to incude a synopsis, I always ask what length would work for him/her. I have heard of agents asking for a page per certain number of words of mss; others who only want one page.

Give 'em what they want, I say, no matter how big a pain in the arse it is to have to write/polish multiple versions of a synopsis.

Thanks, ThunderBoots. I've been worrying about synopsis length. I have a 2-POV novel and it's almost impossible to get the salient plot points and both character arcs in a 1- or 2-page synopsis. I have a 4-pager and an 8-pager. I guess it makes sense to tailor one for each agent -- where length is specified.

If an agency requests one, I would send one. I have just started querying, and I have not yet written a synopsis, so I have only queried agencies that don't ask for one. But I know I'm going to have to do it sooner than later. It's probably a good idea.

Even if you query somebody who doesn't request one? Write a synopsis because sooner or later, somebody's going to ask for one. You'll have it on hand and can send it out just that much more quickly.