One of the most difficult parts of submitting a manuscript or query letter to an agent or publisher (for me, at least!) is figuring out how to write a novel synopsis. Because for me, that task is different every time and for every book. Just like the task of writing each book is different and calls upon different skills, crafting a synopsis for each manuscript is different, as well.

Each book has a different dynamic, after all—different types of characters, a different balance of action scenes to more contemplative scenes, and a different structure. (Sometimes, instead of waiting until after I’m done to write a novel synopsis, I do it before I start writing the book itself, to organize my thoughts about how I want the plot to take shape.)

How to write a novel synopsis

Set up your story
Figure out the basic beats of your story
Mention some of the other major characters
Mention how the main character is transformed by the events of the story
Edit!

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How to Write a Novel Synopsis: Basic Steps

However, regardless of the type of book you are writing a synopsis for, there are a few basic steps to take in this process. Ideally, you want your synopsis to be an outline for the entire book, condensed in the space of one to two pages and written in the third person, present tense point of view. Some view a synopsis as an extension of the jacket copy--except unlike the jacket copy, which seeks to intrigue your reader, a synopsis will include the ending and resolution.

Step 1: Set up your story

You may not be able to give the entire beginning or include an in-depth history of your protagonist, but you can give a bit of context for their life, desires, wishes, and basic challenges.

Step 2: FIgure out the basic beats

What happens first? What happens next? When does the character encounter a challenging situation? What is the climax? The resolution? You will want to hit all these beats of the story, so the agent/publisher reading your synopsis will know the basic flow of what will happen.

Step 3: Mention other major characters

As you describe the plot, include important family members, friends, and foils. What are these people like? (This should be short, with their basic, most important character traits.)

Step 4: Mention how your character is transformed by the events of the story

Remember, just like your book itself should be focused on character growth, so should your synopsis. It’s not a bad thing to give away spoilers here—after all, the agent or editor reading your synopsis will be reading your manuscript eventually, so revealing a secret that occurs in the second to last scene isn’t a big deal. The readers of your synopsis want to know about the obstacles that are thrown in your characters’ paths, how they thwart these obstacles, and how they grow and change.

Step 5: Edit

The editing begins! Look back over your synopsis and trim it down. I know that I tend to include a lot of information in the first draft of my synopses, and I really have to be brutal about what should be left out. Keep in the most exciting, essential parts of your novel and trust that your reader (who could also be a critique partner or beta reader) will get the rest in the actual manuscript itself. This is also a good time to put the first mention of each character’s name in all caps. This will help them stand out and mark them as important: (“JEN” for the first mention, then “Jen” every time after.)

Figuring out how to write a novel synopsis is hard, especially when you do it after you’ve finished the actual book. It’s challenging to go from upwards of sixty thousand words down to a few pages of two thousand words or so. This task is important, though, as many agents request novel synopses along with query letters.

You can do it, too, if you keep in mind what’s important, exciting, and essential.

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How to Write a Novel Synopsis