Sorry, late to the party. I LOVE doing synopses. I create three for each of my novels (16 books so far). I have a one-pager, a three-pager, and a ten-pager. I have been asked for one or more of these a handful of times, so I get them done the second the book is edited and ready to sub. It really helps to remember my books in case I am working on more than one project at a time. Also, sometimes I do book clubs a year or more after the book is pubbed, so I pull out the longer one and re-read it. It helps jog my memory, and makes me fall in love with my characters all over again. Like seeing an old friend for coffee. : )
This is such invaluable advice, Phoebe. I learnt it all the hard way, starting out many years ago in the world of comics and graphic novels, where such synopses are 99% of how you pitch new ideas to editors – and as almost nobody in comics has an agent, the only feedback you get is whether or not an editor commissions you off the back of the pitch!
So it can take a LONG time to figure out how to do all this stuff, but once you do it's invaluable and universal. Not that there isn't always something more you can learn, and my lit agent has been very helpful with feedback for my fiction work, but I'm confident that at least two of my publishing deals in recent years owe a lot to having gone in with a very strong synopsis and pitch.
I wouldn't say I *enjoy* writing blurbs and synopses, but I've basically had to get good at them over the years in order to get work, so I don't mind it. As Nicola says, if you approach it like a puzzle it can be rewarding.
PS I laughed at #4. The obsession with category and marketing neologisms in fiction publishing regularly cracks me up 😂
PPS You are very brave to include one of your own old synopses! Not sure I'd have the guts to do that…
Ha oh I know, our categories can be a bit ludicrous sometimes! That's really interesting to hear your perspective on the graphic novels side, thank you for sharing.
I think that's a great point, particularly, about not including 'this is what I think about my own book' statements in the synopsis. I think I did this for years before realising how cringey they were. The other thing I was thinking is that it seems not all editors/agents agree on whether to read a synopsis before they pick up the manuscript or vice versa. What's your preference?
Yes people do have different approaches to that - good point to raise. I personally tend not to read the synopsis first, I prefer to start the manuscript, but I will turn to the synopsis if I want to know the ending for example, or if I am buying more books from an established writer I will want to see an synopsis first. But with debuts I prefer to go into the script first without any spoilers!
Like Nicola Blackwell, I LOVE writing synopses. Many years ago, I received the great advice not to overthink them. Sit down for 20 mins max and just get it written. That's still how I do them today. Phoebe, I recommended The Honest Editor to almost everyone I spoke to at Harrogate this weekend. I love these insights into the publishing world. Most authors haven't a clue, really, how it all works. Thank you so much!
That is so kind that you recommended it, thank you Sheila! I hope you enjoyed Harrogate! I usually go every year but was away this time. Great advice not to overthink, too!
Great tips! I am that weirdo who LOVES writing synopses. But I think that's because I was an arts journalist for many years so I am used to summing up creative works in a way that is engaging and - crucially - to a word count. (like 100 word cinema reviews!)
I also love writing blurbs, taglines etc. It's like a puzzle! But I do seem to be in the minority in enjoying this and I can imagine if you've never done any of this kind of writing before then the pitching would be daunting. Luckily there's loads of great advice out there about it these days, like this post!
Sorry, late to the party. I LOVE doing synopses. I create three for each of my novels (16 books so far). I have a one-pager, a three-pager, and a ten-pager. I have been asked for one or more of these a handful of times, so I get them done the second the book is edited and ready to sub. It really helps to remember my books in case I am working on more than one project at a time. Also, sometimes I do book clubs a year or more after the book is pubbed, so I pull out the longer one and re-read it. It helps jog my memory, and makes me fall in love with my characters all over again. Like seeing an old friend for coffee. : )
Writing my synopses RIGHT NOW, and this is immensely helpful, thank you Phoebe ❤️
I really needed this — I’m right in the thick of writing my first synopsis. Thanks!
I’m glad it helped!
This is such invaluable advice, Phoebe. I learnt it all the hard way, starting out many years ago in the world of comics and graphic novels, where such synopses are 99% of how you pitch new ideas to editors – and as almost nobody in comics has an agent, the only feedback you get is whether or not an editor commissions you off the back of the pitch!
So it can take a LONG time to figure out how to do all this stuff, but once you do it's invaluable and universal. Not that there isn't always something more you can learn, and my lit agent has been very helpful with feedback for my fiction work, but I'm confident that at least two of my publishing deals in recent years owe a lot to having gone in with a very strong synopsis and pitch.
I wouldn't say I *enjoy* writing blurbs and synopses, but I've basically had to get good at them over the years in order to get work, so I don't mind it. As Nicola says, if you approach it like a puzzle it can be rewarding.
PS I laughed at #4. The obsession with category and marketing neologisms in fiction publishing regularly cracks me up 😂
PPS You are very brave to include one of your own old synopses! Not sure I'd have the guts to do that…
Ha oh I know, our categories can be a bit ludicrous sometimes! That's really interesting to hear your perspective on the graphic novels side, thank you for sharing.
And thank you! My synopsis is very embarrassing!!
I think that's a great point, particularly, about not including 'this is what I think about my own book' statements in the synopsis. I think I did this for years before realising how cringey they were. The other thing I was thinking is that it seems not all editors/agents agree on whether to read a synopsis before they pick up the manuscript or vice versa. What's your preference?
Yes people do have different approaches to that - good point to raise. I personally tend not to read the synopsis first, I prefer to start the manuscript, but I will turn to the synopsis if I want to know the ending for example, or if I am buying more books from an established writer I will want to see an synopsis first. But with debuts I prefer to go into the script first without any spoilers!
Like Nicola Blackwell, I LOVE writing synopses. Many years ago, I received the great advice not to overthink them. Sit down for 20 mins max and just get it written. That's still how I do them today. Phoebe, I recommended The Honest Editor to almost everyone I spoke to at Harrogate this weekend. I love these insights into the publishing world. Most authors haven't a clue, really, how it all works. Thank you so much!
That is so kind that you recommended it, thank you Sheila! I hope you enjoyed Harrogate! I usually go every year but was away this time. Great advice not to overthink, too!
Great tips! I am that weirdo who LOVES writing synopses. But I think that's because I was an arts journalist for many years so I am used to summing up creative works in a way that is engaging and - crucially - to a word count. (like 100 word cinema reviews!)
I also love writing blurbs, taglines etc. It's like a puzzle! But I do seem to be in the minority in enjoying this and I can imagine if you've never done any of this kind of writing before then the pitching would be daunting. Luckily there's loads of great advice out there about it these days, like this post!
Thanks for reading, Nicola! I love writing blurbs and taglines too!
Also love a book moodboard and a Spotify playlist! I maybe do get a leeetle bit too into the marketing stuff 🤣
all good tips that will help others! x