Today’s blog consists of an excerpt from my Book Proposal Course—Class number 3—the Synopsis Part II.
I created these notes based on the questions and material I received from students during week two of my first Book Proposal Course.
1: Most authors find that organizing the book is one of the hardest parts of the writing process. Organization can also be a challenge in writing a Synopsis. Make sure that you have organized your synopsis in the most logical manner.
2: Is your first sentence an attention-grabber? Imagine that you are a very busy publisher and you’re seeing the synopsis for the first time. What is your first impression? Are you intrigued? Are you interested enough to keep reading?
3: If you’re having trouble formulating your synopsis, imagine that you are sitting across the desk with a publisher and he has just asked you, “What is your book about?” or “Tell me about your story.” Start by writing, “This book is about…” or “This book features…” or “In this book, I tell the story of…” You may keep that beginning or you might remove it and come up with a stronger beginning. These phrases just might serve to jumpstart your synopsis.
4: Keep it simple. Avoid long, cumbersome sentences like the plague. This is not the time to get fancy or to flaunt your mastery of the English language. In order to dazzle a publisher, he first must understand what you’re saying. Write as if you’re explaining this to someone from outer space.
5. Use active rather than passive sentences. Examples:
Passive: The game was won by the bluebirds.
Active: The Bluebirds won the game.
Passive: A decision to adjourn was made by the president
Active: The President adjourned the meeting.
6: Write a one-sentence description of your book. This will help you to find your focus for your synopsis. I’d like to see that sentence this week. (Some of you have already sent me yours. And you’ve all done a bang up job.)
7: For those of you who have a story to tell, don’t try to tell the whole story in the Synopsis. Just outline the basic storyline, include something about the prominent players in the story and add an example of two from the story.
8: For those of you with nonfiction books, include statistics in your Synopsis and introduce the experts you’ll be quoting.
9: Don’t try to keep things from the publisher. While I urge you to keep descriptions brief and succinct, avoid playing peek-a-boo games. Don’t keep the publisher in suspense. Be straightforward.
10: Where you have several points to make consider using bullets. For example: “In my book, Doggie Dress-Up I will cover the following:
• Who, in general, dress their dogs?
• Why do people dress their dogs
• Which celebrities parade dogs wearing clothes?
• What dog types are most often subjected to the practice of dressing up?
• What is the most popular doggie dress-up style?
• What are some of the most outlandish outfits worn by dogs?
• Where can one find doggie outfits?”
11: Make a strong statement at the end of your Synopsis indicating your assuredness that the publisher will consider publishing your manuscript. For example, instead of, “I hope you find this manuscript suitable for publication.” Or “I would love it if you decide to publish this,” say, “This book will be a valuable asset to the dog owner who is on the fence about investing in a wardrobe for his dog.” Or “I envision this book being warmly received by children and parents everywhere.”
In other words, put positive thoughts in the publisher’s head.
All of you who are planning a book might want to take this advice and write a one or two sentence description of your project. It can be an easy slam dunk or a very difficult exercise. I’d love to have a report as to your one-sentence description.
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