Hey, Better Writers! You’ve written the novel, wrestled with your critique partners, and revised until your manuscript is a polished gem. Now, you’re ready to send it out into the world—cue the confetti—but wait… what’s this? Literary agents want a query letter, the first 10 pages, AND a synopsis? Hold up. How on earth are you supposed to sum up your 300-page masterpiece in just 1-2 pages? No need to panic—we’ve got you covered.
Here are 5 key elements to crafting a strong synopsis that will get your manuscript noticed by agents:
1. Only a page (or two)
First thing’s first: length matters. Sure, you’ve written an epic saga, but most literary agents only want a 1-2 page synopsis. Why? Because they’re busy—and your synopsis is meant to give them a quick snapshot of your story, not a blow-by-blow of every scene. But why such a short length? Simple: agents don’t have time to read the full novel twice (once in the manuscript and once in the synopsis). They want to know if you can tell your story concisely and compellingly. Stick to the length they ask for—no more, no less. Agents appreciate this. It shows you can follow directions and respect their time. And bonus: it’ll make you stand out in a sea of over-ambitious summaries!
2. Only the highlights
When you’re crafting your synopsis, think of it as a highlight reel of your novel—no filler allowed. You don’t need to dive into subplots, side characters, or random tangents. Focus on the heart of the story: your protagonist, their goal, and the major conflict they face. If your story has a love triangle, an epic battle, or a shocking twist—those are the moments to focus on! The agent needs to know what drives your story forward, and they only need a taste of everything else. So, skip the backstory on that secondary character who might only appear in one chapter. Stick to the main arc, and keep it punchy.
3. Only the most essential characters
You know that amazing secondary character who’s always cracking jokes or dropping wisdom bombs? Great! But they’re probably not necessary in your synopsis—unless they’re pivotal to the plot. Focus on your main character (MC) and the 2-3 other key players who truly impact the story. Agents don’t need to know every person in your world. They need to understand who’s driving the plot forward and why. So, unless your supporting character has a major role in the conflict or resolution, leave them out. This keeps the synopsis tight, focused, and easier to follow.
4. Only a touch of your personality/voice
Okay, let’s be real for a second: synopses are often dry. They read like instruction manuals—effective, but lacking flavor. You can change that. Infuse a bit of your voice into the synopsis to give it some flair. While it’s important to keep things professional, you want the agent to feel the tone of your book. Is your MC witty and sarcastic? Show it in their actions. Is the plot dark and suspenseful? Let the tension seep through. Think of your synopsis as a teaser—just a glimpse of the style they can expect in the full manuscript. If you can leave them wanting more, you’ve already made a good impression.
5. Only the core conflict
A synopsis isn’t the place for every plot twist or surprise ending. The goal here is to show the core conflict of your story and how the protagonist will overcome it. Be clear about what’s at stake for your main character. What’s the problem they’re trying to solve? What’s the goal they’re striving for? And yes, tell them how it ends. It helps agents assess the overall structure and resolution of your plot. They’re looking for a satisfying arc that ties up the main conflict in a way that feels earned—after all, a great beginning and middle can’t save a weak ending. That doesn’t mean you need to go into exhaustive detail about every twist, but give a clear sense of the resolution. Does your protagonist succeed or fail? What are the stakes in the final moments? By revealing the ending, you give agents confidence that your story holds together and that the payoff will be worth the build-up.
Conclusion
Writing a synopsis for your book can feel like trying to shove a polar bear into a carry-on bag. But remember, this is the masterpiece you’ve been nurturing for months, perhaps even years! If anyone should know this book inside and out, it’s you. Who better to sum up the story? Trust yourself, follow these key elements, and you’ll be well on your way to impressing those literary agents. Got more questions about querying agents or how to stand out with your manuscript? Check out the rest of our Querying Series HERE. You’ve got this—keep writing!