Author: Chris Hagler
Date:   11-03-09 18:38

Hello everyone,

Using your advice, I have had a great interaction with a particular agent. She has asked me for a large sample, which is great. The problem I have is that she also asked for a synopsis.

Here's the issue: While I completely understand what a synopsis is and how it works, I'm always afraid that I'm writing too much or too little. The original query letter gave her an overview of the book, but obviously it wasn't enough to go on.

My question to you guys (Cindy, Greg, and the others) is how much is too much? I have a tendency to be wordy at times (hence my 130,000+ manuscripts....yeah I'm working on that), but I want to be able to convey the idea that the book has a lot of events that continue through to the end without any dead time.

What's a good size to send? How much detail should I use? I hate to sound so clueless, but......I feel like I may be.


Chris

Author: Don Daffron
Date:   11-03-09 18:56

Didn’t the agent specify what length synopsis she wanted? I understand most want two pages double spaced, but some want only one page single spaced, others want ten or even more double spaced pages. Doesn’t the agent specify on her web site?

Nest time write several synopses before you query so you will be ready for whatever they ask for. That’s what I’m doing now.

Synopses are not just used by the agent; they’re also used by the publisher’s editors, so they’re important.

Author: Cindy Kay
Date:   11-03-09 19:40

Chris,

Here's a dastardly little secret, which perhaps only I believe and thus has no merit, but agents ask for what seems obvious.

So let's say this agent has asked for three or five chapters, of course, the obvious other thing to ask for is synopsis of the rest.

In those first chapters he'll know if he likes your voice and if you've got a story moving. But so many, many manuscripts start great only to sag in the middle and fail to give us the fireworks of an end. So the agent asks for a synopsis just to kind of caution-tape himself.

So a synopsis must above and beyond anything not fail to prove. I'm unconvinced that an agent who asks for a two-pager and gets one page, will be oh-that's-not-what-I-asked-for and ditch you. He'll read it, and if it provides the evidence he's looking for and that the author can provide voice and enticement even in this format, he'll ask for the manuscript.

So don't send anything that sucks. If you can't write a great synopsis in two pages, but can in one, send one. Or visa versa. Prove that your middle doesn't sag, that the ending fulfills the beginning and that your voice shines in any format.

Take your Q and start there, because obviously the Q worked for this agent. Start listing the things you wish you'd have room to fit in. Much like a Q, don't include anything you can't do well. Be thematic where you can't elegantly fit in more; be specific when you can do it well.

Hope this helps. I found a synopsis tough and settle on one page, single spaced that fleshed out the Q, keeping in the same tone/vibe.

Author: Chris Hagler
Date:   11-03-09 19:47

I've been working on it since I posted this earlier.

From what I can tell, I think I've got it. I looked over it and compared it to what Cindy said and I think I may have actually hit the nail on the head.

I ended up with 2 and 1/2 pages single spaced. That doesn't seem like too much..........maybe not. It's descriptive without being too wordy........I think.

Thanks for the advice, I'll letcha know how this goes.

Chris

Author: Chris Hagler
Date:   11-03-09 21:06

OOPS!

I meant to say 2 1/2 pages DOUBLE spaced.
I read over my last post and gee that seemed out of place.

Thanks again Cindy.

Your advice on these things has meant tons to me. I was getting so frustrated with the whole process until I started posting on here. Between you, Greg and the others, I feel like I'm heading the right direction with my inquiries and the processes. Time will tell if I'm on the right track.

Chris

Author: Cindy Kay
Date:   11-03-09 21:58

Chris, feel free to post it here.

Author: Janice W-D
Date:   11-03-09 22:29

You can sent as many as three pages single-spaced.

Best,
Janice