How to Write a Synopsis That Makes Agents Request Your Manuscript

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Sometimes after a literary agent reads your query letter, they will ask you to send a synopsis. Therefore, learning how to write a synopsis that’s both engaging and interesting is very important. It needs to grab the literary agent’s attention and make them excited to read your full manuscript.

In this post, you’ll learn how to write a synopsis that effectively summarizes your story so that the agent can understand your book. You’ll be able to create a concise, engaging summary that captures the heart of your book and piques interest. If you’re an author ready to take the next step in your publishing journey (and since you’re reading this I’m assuming you are), keep reading to discover key tips for how to write a synopsis that stands out in a crowded market.

Before we get started on how to write a synopsis, let’s go over some general information about a synopsis first.

What is a synopsis?

A synopsis is a brief summary of your book that lets the literary agent or publisher understand what your book is about. It overviews the key elements and main points, such as setting, characters, and stakes.

Think of a synopsis as a screening process for manuscripts. Agents don’t have time to read an entire manuscript. The synopsis lets them know what the book is about. It should cover all the main points of a book from beginning to end in the right order. These points include:

Main characters
Main plot points
The ending

How long should a synopsis be?

Most agents prefer the synopsis to be around 500 words. If your novel is long, such as 120,000 words, then your synopsis could be up to five pages. Most agents like for you to keep it to one to three pages. An agent may ask for a longer synopsis if they like your proposal.

When should I send a synopsis?

Some agents prefer the synopsis to be separate from the query letter and some want it in the letter following the hook. And some agents prefer to ask for the synopsis if they’re interested in reading more after reading your query letter. Be sure to follow their guidelines.

Is a synopsis the same as a blurb?

Not at all. A book blurb is much shorter and just a teaser. Whereas a book synopsis is much longer and a full overview of your book’s story. It’s more of a spoiler.

And they are both different from a book description that you see on websites such as Amazon.

How do I format a synopsis?

A one-page synopsis should be typed in single space, but double-spaced between paragraphs. If it’s longer than a page, then it should be double-spaced. Don’t get fancy—keep it standard with Times New Roman, 12-point font, and one-inch margins. Capitalize all the letters in the title and when you mention the main characters’ names (first and last) for the first time. You can also choose to put these in bold font, too. (JASPER CUNNINGHAM or JASPER CUNNINGHAM)

How to Write a Synopsis to Send to An Agent

When writing a synopsis to send to a literary agent, it’s important to organize your content in a clear, concise, and engaging way. Remember, your synopsis should include three main points: the setup, major developments, and the resolution.

Novels generally have a similar structure:

Exciting beginning
Inciting incident
Crises
Climax
Satisfying ending

Keep this in mind when you’re thinking about how to write a synopsis because you can build on it if you’re unsure what to write.

When writing a synopsis, write in the present tense and third person (unless you are telling the backstory, of course). Write the events as they happen from beginning to end.

Imagine you’re telling your story to a friend. You wouldn’t read them your entire book. Instead, you would summarize it, leaving out the little details, but including the most exciting parts and people.

Step 1. Write the header.

At the top of your page, include your contact information (name, email, phone number) and the title of your book. Below the title, indicate the genre and word count.

Here’s an example of what that should look like:

Step 2. Write the setup.

You only have a brief amount of space to share your entire book so you have to immediately grab the literary agent’s attention. Therefore you need to start with the point of action that drives the story (the hook).

Step 3. Introduce the main characters.

Introduce your main character by first and last name and briefly write about their roles, motivations, and any relevant background that drives the plot. Writing about your main character’s development will express the emotional side of your story.

Here’s how to communicate the emotional drama in writing:

Ask yourself who the main character is at the beginning of your story. What type of person are they and how do they approach life?
Explain how the main character is thrown into a situation in which they are forced to change from their normal behavior. Ask yourself if they decide to change and take a new approach. Or do they stay true to themselves and become more well-established in their approach or attitude?
Think about how the main character is by the end of the story. Are they better off because of their choices and how does the reader feel about the choices they’ve made?

The character section should be very short. You only want to mention the main character(s) and not every single character in your book.

Step 4. Write about major developments.

After catching the agent’s eye with a great hook, you need to tell them about the plot. Start by writing about the inciting incident that sets the main character on the path toward his goal. What is the event in your book that drives the story forward?

Make sure to outline major events, challenges, and turning points. Also, point out any escalating tension for the main character and highlight character development.

Finally, reveal the climax and resolution of the story and explain how the central conflict is resolved and what the outcome means for the main characters.

Step 5. Trim and edit.

Now that you’ve written a draft of your synopsis, read through it and edit it. Remove any excess words and phrases. If they don’t help you tell your story, they’re not needed. Shorten any run-on sentences and get rid of details that are irrelevant.

After trimming everything up, read through it again to make sure it sounds good and flows well. Ask someone else to read it for feedback.

Finally, read through your synopsis one last time to check for typos and grammatical errors. I cannot express enough how important it is to proofread your synopsis!

Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Synopsis

Do…

use bold font and capital letters for the names of main characters. This stands out and makes the synopsis easier for the agent to skim through.
use neutral business-like language since this is more of a business document. Be clear and to the point and tell instead of show.
proofread your work to make sure there aren’t any typos or grammatical errors. Your synopsis and query letter need to look professional.
write your synopsis in the third person because it sounds more professional.
write your synopsis in the present tense. This makes the agent feel more connected to the story.
use a helpful file name to help both you and the agent find it quickly and know exactly what it is. (Ex: darknightfalling_synopsis.doc)

Don’t…

write too little or too much. Agents usually give you a word count, so try to get as close to it as possible.
cram all your characters into the synopsis. No more than four or five is the most an agent likes to see.
make it sound too salesy.
go into detail about the story’s setting.
hide the plot twist. A synopsis reveals all the major plot points.
forget to include the title of your book and “synopsis” at the top of the page. (Ex: Dark Night Falling: Synopsis)