Writing a Selling Synopsis

The first writing panel I attended at DragonCon was on Saturday, with Anthony Francis, Jade Lee/Kathy Lyons, David B Cole/DB Jackson, Esther Freisner, Bennet Coles, and Jennifer St. Giles/JL Saint, where they discussed the ins and outs of writing a synopsis that will sell your book.

Don’t

• Ignore directions
• Use bad grammar
• Sell yourself, instead of your work
• Use back cover blurb language
• Conceal the ending
• Use bullet points, it should be written in prose
• Explain the magic system

Do

• Write only 1 sentence for the setting
• Describe what happens in 3 pages (then cut to 1)
• Follow the directions – so editors won’t think you’ll be hard to work with
• Cover plot points, but if the character growth is important, include it!
• Go back to your novel and edit/revise if your synopsis exposes holes in your plot

Marketing Notes:

Marketing is in on the buy decision (w/big press), so your synopsis must appeal to marketing AND editors. It should demonstrate the following:

• internal growth
• External growth
• the tropes it uses/subverts

2 Methods to try:

Screen writing

Try to follow the suggested script writing beats:

• Inciting incident
• Main Character’s intentions
• How bad will it be
• The surprise at the end
• Lessons learned/resolution

Start with 1 sentence for each and build UP with those points.

Use a sense of pacing, and make your story sound thrilling.

List out everything until you’re done:

Write what happens:

then cut to:

• 3 pages – long synopsis
• 1 page – short synopsis
• 35 words – query pitch
• 25 words – elevator pitch
• 140 characters – twitter pitch

Don’t expect to get it done in a day!

Suggested synopsis structure:

• Describe main character and emotional actions
• Describe second main character or villain and emotional actions.
• Inciting incident
• Plot point 1
• Plot point 2
• Midpoint
• Climax
• Epiphany

How do you get your Synopsis Written?

• Remember your ABCs: Apply Butt to Chair – Jade Lee/Kathy Lyons
• “I tell myself over and over and over again, no one is going to give me money until I write it.” – David B Cole/DB Jackson
• I regard it as a big ole helping of creamed okra. I write it all disjointed and it’s horrible, but it works. Free form. Then, I clean it up.

 

What about mentioning series potential or how it fits into the series?

• Book 1 HAS to stand alone.
• Series potential IS attractive.
• New authors can have a trilogy, or at most, 6 books.
• If you say there are 19 in the series, you’ll scare off the publisher.