A step-by-step guide to the publication process for first-time authors: part 5The world of publishing can seem confusing and exclusive to emerging authors. It’s filled with bewildering terminology and an overwhelming set of rules that you’re just expected to know, on pain of instant rejection. But it doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this article series, I’m going through some of the key steps involved in navigating the publishing process and discussing tips and know-how to help you give yourself the best chance of success. Over the previous four posts, we’ve looked at polishing your MS, drawing up a list of submission targets, and drafting your cover letter. Now… I’m afraid we can’t put it off any longer. It’s time to write your one-page synopsis. The importance of a one-page novel synopsisOkay. First off, nobody likes this part. A full-length novel is typically between 80,000 and 100,000 words long — and now you’ve got to find a way to summarise all of that in approximately 500 words, and make it compelling. But the reason your one-page synopsis is such a pain in the proverbial is the very same reason it’s essential: Agents and publishers receive countless submissions every day, and they don't have the time to read through full manuscripts right away. Enter: the novel synopsis. It serves as a snapshot of your story; a glimpse into your writing style and the unique elements that make your novel stand out. The job of your synopsis is, first and foremost, to make them want to dive deeper into your work. But that’s not all. Your synopsis allows agents and publishers to quickly assess whether your story aligns with their interests and the current market trends. The role of a synopsis in the publishing industryYour synopsis is also a marketing tool. Not as much as your cover letter, the primary importance of which is to, effectively, “pitch” you and your novel to potentially interested parties. Don’t get the two documents confused: your synopsis is not the blurb that goes on the back of the book. It’s a step-by-step run-through of all the major plot points (yes, including spoilers), introducing the main characters and demonstrating a clear and coherent narrative arc that’s tied up with a satisfying conclusion. And by incorporating all of these elements, your synopsis allows agents and publishers to quickly assess whether your story aligns with their interests and the current market trends. It also demonstrates your ability to condense your story into a concise and captivating summary, and acts as a showcase of your writing skills and storytelling abilities. In many cases, the synopsis is the first impression agents and publishers have of your work, so you need to make it work as hard as possible. Understanding the target audienceIt often helps to remember that the target audience for your one-page synopsis is not the people who will eventually buy and read your book. It’s the people who are going to make a business decision about whether or not they’re going to invest their time and money in you as an author. Your job, with the one-page synopsis, is to make it as easy as possible for them to say “yes.” And that means writing to the needs of this specific audience. Agents and publishers have specific criteria when it comes to evaluating novel synopses. They’re looking for stories that are unique, well-developed, and have the potential to sell. To meet their expectations, your synopsis should highlight the key elements that make your story compelling. Focus on the main characters, their goals and conflicts, the major plot points, and the central themes of your novel. Make sure to include enough detail to give agents and publishers a clear understanding of your story, but avoid overwhelming them with unnecessary information. And avoid “salesy” phraseology (“My Amazing Novel is the gripping tale of…” or “My Amazing Novel is a genre-defying epic, by turns moving and hilarious, and a sure-fire hit among young adult readers”) — stick to the facts, show how each cause leads to an effect, and keep your narrative moving towards a well-rounded conclusion. It’s as easy, and as difficult, as that. The target audience for your synopsis is not the folks who'll eventually buy and read your book Tips for writing a concise and compelling one-page synopsis
Structuring your one-page synopsis effectivelyThere’s no one way to structure a synopsis, but giving the structure its due consideration will impact positively on its readability and effectiveness. The following is by no means the best or only way to do it, but it’s a useful place to start:
Begin with a strong hook that grabs the reader's attention Avoiding common mistakes when writing a one-page synopsisThere are a couple of biggies that tend to creep up time and again when I’m synopsis-doctoring, and that’s absolutely fair. You’ve probably never had to write one of these things before, and they are, as mentioned, a screaming nightmare of a job. But forewarned is forearmed, so keep an eye out for the following before you decide that your synopsis is complete:
Final top tips for writing a compelling one-page novel synopsis
The biggest difference between an unpublished and a published author is tenacity And that’s it. You’re just about ready to start sending your novel out into the world. Next post, I’ll summarise all the points covered over the past few articles, but, for now, please know this: talent plays a big part in publication, of course. But talent can be earned through hard work. The biggest difference, in my experience, between an unpublished and a published author is… tenacity. Keep at it. Wear each rejection like a badge of honour. Every single one of them is a step closer to the end game. You can do this. Just as long as you keep going until you do.
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