For authors hoping to draw in publishers or agents, writing an attractive and concise book synopsis is necessary. A strong summary demonstrates your storytelling skills. Like, F. Scott Fitzgerald's “The Great Gatsby” description captivates both readers and experts with its concise encapsulation of the book's themes of ambition and treachery.
A summary serves as the first look of the book. Engaging, succinct synopses are partly responsible for the success of popular books like J.K. Rowling's “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” and series. Knowing how to write a novel synopsis will greatly improve your chances of getting noticed in a market book, regardless of your level of experience.
What is a synopsis?
A synopsis is a concise overview of your book that highlights its main ideas, characters, and story points. For publishers, agents, or contests, a book synopsis offers a thorough look of the book, as opposed to a blurb, which outlines the tale to impress readers. Let’s consider a summary of Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice”. It would discuss the social mores of the time while emphasizing Elizabeth Bennet's changing relationship with Mr. Darcy. Let’s understand what writing a synopsis for different genres consist of:
How to Write a Synopsis: Examples
- Thriller Synopsis
A book synopsis of Dan Brown's “The Da Vinci Code” might highlight Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu's quest to solve mysteries, highlighting significant turns without giving away every detail.
- Romance Synopsis
Nicholas Sparks' “The Notebook” synopsis would describe the love tale of Noah and Allie while implying that they will remain connected in spite of obstacles.
- Fantasy Synopsis:
The plot of J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Hobbit” may center on Bilbo's bravery and self-discovery as a result of his unexpected adventure with dwarves.
In 500 to 800 words you can write a good synopsis that captures the main ideas of the novel and provides just enough information to draw the reader in while highlighting the story's distinctiveness.
How to write a synopsis for a novel?
Let’s talk about writing a synopsis for a novel in this section of guide:
- Begin with the Basics
First start with the protagonist, their aim, and the inciting incident. Like, in Suzanne Collins' “The Hunger Games”, the summary could begin with Katniss volunteering for her sister and participating in a futuristic survival contest.
- Highlight Key Plot Points
Divide the plot into three acts, summarizing key events and turning points. For example, a description for John Green's “The Fault in Our Stars” could describe Hazel and Gus' meeting, their love story, and the agony of loss.
- Add the climax and resolution
Unlike blurbs, synopses tell the ending. If you're writing about George Orwell's 1984, include Winston Smith's sad surrender to totalitarianism.
If you are still unsure on how to write a novel synopsis then here are some novel synopsis examples with different genres.
Novel Synopsis Examples:
- Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice” is a clever and sarcastic book about nineteenth-century England's social mores, love, and class.
- Harper Lee's “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a morality, justice, and racism-themed coming-of-age tale set in the American South during the Great Depression.
- George Orwell’s 1984 is a dystopian story that serves as a warning on the perils of government surveillance and authoritarianism.
- Gabriel García Márquez's sweeping epic, “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, traces the history and decline of the Buendía family in the made-up town of Macondo.
Smart Tip: You can improve your chances of leaving a lasting impression on book publishers, literary agents, and contests by hiring an expert book synopsis writer like Ace Book Writers.
How to write a synopsis for a book
A synopsis is a brief story that gives professionals or readers an outline of a book's topics, characters, and plot. Are you wondering where is the synopsis in a book? Synopsis is typically put inside the book jacket or on the back cover of the book. On the other hand, a professional synopsis is written for agents or publishers, emphasizing the story's main points, particularly its resolution.
Book Synopsis Examples:
Let’s consider modern literature books to understand how to write a book synopsis:
- J.R.R. Tolkien's epic high-fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings, follows hobbit Frodo Baggins as he strives to destroy the One Ring.
- J.K. Rowling's “Harry Potter” is an adventurous series about a young wizard, Harry, who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and confronts his arch enemy Voldemort.
- Suzanne Collins's “The Hunger Games” is a dystopian young adult novel where young people are compelled to compete in a televised tournament until they die.
- Stieg Larsson's crime thriller “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” follows a journalist and a talented but disturbed computer hacker as they look into a string of killings.
Get Help: Would you like to write about a specific book synopsis? Or perhaps want to write a synopsis of a more contemporary novel? Then hire Ace Book Writers fiction ghostwriting services.
How to write a book synopsis for an agent
For a literary agent, a summary ought to be polished, interesting, and customized to highlight the best aspects of your novel. It should be well-organized and give readers a clear understanding of the main plot points and moments of the book.
Let’s explore how to write a synopsis for a book to impress literary agent for your book publishing:
- Explain the Main Character or Characters
Determine the protagonist's main objective or conflict first. For example, the synopsis of Khaled Hosseini's “The Kite Runner” can introduce Amir's quest for atonement and guilt.
- Highlight the main events
Make sure to add main events, climax, ending, and inciting turnpoint in your summary of the main plot points. Steer clear of subplots unless they are really essential.
- Preserve the Tone
Make sure the synopsis captures the tone and genre of the book. Keep it thrilling and suspenseful for a thriller, and emphasize the emotional stakes for a romance.
- Add the Endings
Agents need to know how the story ends, unlike promotional blurbs. By using this approach, you enhance the likelihood that an agency will consider your work and present it in a professional manner.
How long should a synopsis be?
The goal of the synopsis and the needs of the reader determine how long is a synopsis.
- For Agents and Publishers
The majority of experts anticipate a 1 to 2 page, single-spaced summary. Usually, it should be between 500 and 800 words. A fantasy book like “The Hobbit”, for instance, would need enough room in its summary to discuss important characters and significant events without going into undue detail.
- For Competitions
Writing competitions usually have word counts between 300 and 1,000. Always pay great attention to the submission guidelines.
- For Readers
The 150 to 250 word synopsis that appears on a book's hard jacket or back cover is meant to pique readers' interest without giving away the whole plot.
You can make sure the synopsis accomplishes its goal and maintains the audience's interest by keeping it brief and targeted.
How to write a summary of a book
It is necessary to condense a book's major themes, plot details, and characters into a brief but thorough structure in order to write a synopsis. To understand the details and message of the book, start by reading it carefully. Divide the story into four parts: the set-up, the action, the climax, and the end. One way to learn how to write a book summary is writing synopsis for already published books to compare your quality of writing. “To Kill a Mockingbird” summary would be to describe Scout Finch's maturation in the face of racial discrimination in Maycomb, Alabama. Internet resources such as book synopsis websites can offer expert book summaries. Let’s see a summary of a book example.
Example: JK Rowlings’ Harry Potter is a series consisting of eight adventurous and magical sequences. Harry Potter, the main character and his friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, fights against the dark lord, Tom Riddle aka Voldemort who survived the fatal death by Harry’s parents. By the end of each part, you’ll learn how friendship, family, good teachings and morals can change a person.
How long is a synopsis
The length of a book synopsis usually varies according to its intended use. A synopsis for publishers or agents often consists of one to two pages (500–800 words) that summarize the main plot, characters, and resolution of the book. A back-cover synopsis or summary, on the other hand, is shorter—between 150 and 250 words—and meant to pique readers' interest.
Finding a balance between brevity and information is a difficulty for fiction writers and those who use fiction ghostwriters. As you have to pay attention to the protagonist's path, turning points, and ending. In contrast, nonfiction writers could place more emphasis on the thesis and illustrative evidence. To ensure clarity and interest, fiction ghostwriters usually craft synopses that complement the tone and genre of the book.
Tips for writing a novel synopsis
A novel synopsis should be revised several times, retaining only the most important elements while maintaining its professionalism and appeal. Like, the novel “IT” by Stephen King synopsis:
“A group of children fights an evil that lurks in the shadows and feeds on children’s nightmares.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, a synopsis consists of an introduction to the main character and conflict, a description of the main events, and an explanation of the resolution at the end. Written in the present tense, it is succinct and direct.
The hook or introduction, the main storyline, the major conflicts and pivotal moments, and the resolution or climax are all included in a well-structured summary. Pay attention to the major plot of fiction.
The primary ideas, characters, and plot of a book are summarized in one paragraph in a brief synopsis. Without delving too far into details or subplots, it captures the main idea of the narrative.
In addition to drawing readers in, the introduction should establish the tone for the remainder of the synopsis and provide a brief overview of the protagonist and their dilemma. For example: "In a world where dreams dictate reality, Emma fights to control her mind and uncover a buried truth.
Set The Stage For Your Novel
For authors and prospective authors, writing a book synopsis or summary is a crucial skill. Concentrate on clarity, conciseness, and engagement while writing a summary, whether you're doing it for a publication or prospective readers. A well-structured summary might be vital for attracting readers or gaining representation for fiction writers and ghostwriters.
Collaborate with expert services like Ace Book Writers’ fiction ghostwriting to polish your story in order to show the full potential of your book. Let your book shine by beginning your synopsis now!
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