How to Write a Novel Synopsis: Step-by-Step Guide.
That’s why your synopsis needs to: Tell an agent directly and clearly what your plot is; Make clear what your hook, premise or elevator pitch is; Demonstrate implicitly its appeal and how plot momentum increases; Share an ending that feels satisfying.
The protagonist of your YA novel should ideally be between 14 and 18 years old. Think high school-age. If you’ve written a children’s book in which a character is twelve years old, this is a Middle-Grade novel. If you’ve written a book in which your character is nineteen.
Specify what kind of writing genre it sits within (e.g. saga, literary, science fiction, romance, etc.). The synopsis should be no more than one side of A4 and should tell me the narrative arc of the whole book so that I know what happens after the first 10,000 words.
Young Adult Fiction Categories and Age Ranges. The two categories of young adult literature — young adult (YA or “teen fiction”) and middle grade (“MG fiction”) — are split into several age ranges to help book buyers and readers judge the age-appropriateness of the content and the writing.
A synopsis is a succinct account of a manuscript's plot, characters, setting, style and mood. Grouped with the cover letter and the chapter sample, it is a vital piece of the querying jigsaw.
Now, nobody’s saying that your YA novel has to be all roses and sunshine. After all, exploring the dark side of life and defining common adolescent struggles is a core aspect to this style of writing. YA writing is about the journey, and having a direct message that guides your readers through the darkness is what makes a truly memorable.
A synopsis is a summary of your book. Literary agents and editors may ask to see one if you’re writing an adult novel, a memoir, or a kids novel (young adult, middle grade).
I know writers who will write a detailed 30 page synopsis of their novel before they proceed. I know others (like me!) who do the absolute bare minimum. Who just trust their instincts to be able to create on the run, if you like. So I’m not going to tell you how far you need to take your outline. What I will say is that if you want a detailed.
How To Write A One-Page Synopsis. Three important things to remember about a synopsis: A synopsis should be no longer than one page (two if you absolutely have to). Use the same 12 point font you have used in your manuscript and query letter. Look for the font you should use on the submission guidelines page. Your synopsis should be error-free.
Each step asks you to consider or perform just one task that moves your novel a step closer toward being a finished book. In this way, no step is ever confusing or too complex and yet your story is ever growing and evolving as you go. Some steps are informational, and others direct you to write, re-write, or work out a concept for your story.
And it’s essential if you want to cut out all the events in your book that are not necessary to a synopsis. Here’s how to write a bullet-point outline. Make a new copy of your finished manuscript in an word processing program and rename it (NOVEL NAME) OUTLINE Then boil each scene down into what happened, in one sentence.
Agents and publishers don't have time to read through all the manuscripts they receive and consequently almost all ask for a synopsis. There is a lot of conflicting information about how to write a synopsis but on this one-day workshop students will be gu.
Read dozens and dozens of books in your genre. Your job in writing a synopsis is to summarize a full-length manuscript in 500 words. That may seem impossible, but it’s also for your benefit. You’ll be amazed at how your synopsis keeps you focused and on track during the writing.
