Great post--and great way to reframe how you think about writing both a query letter and synopsis. Thank you! (Sometimes all it takes is a little mindset shift.)
I don't know if this would be helpful, but writing synopses became SO much easier for me after I became a parent and realized I had a WEALTH of them staring at me from my kid's bookshelf. Three words: Little. Golden. Books. I wrote about it here: https://leilaammartin.com/2025/04/10/golden-book-synopsis/
Because I’m incapable of not looking at the foundation. 😅
I can absolutely help make a query and synopsis prettier, but if my goal is to get you published, I need to know what’s happening in the manuscript too. More often than not, that’s where the biggest opportunities are.
I’ve just (re-drafted) my synopsis, stripping it of all of myself, if you know what I mean!
I worry I have taken out lovely elements, that reflect who I am as a writer. And some of the subplots that feel to me so important to mention! 🫣
But on first reading, my agent commented there were an awful lot of elements and I needed to focus on the single, strong hook. Which I have done, zooming in on my conflict, how I am changed through the book and the resolution.
So it is a quite unlyrical, ‘this is what happens’ document.
Is there ANY room for one or two engaging moments of language that hint at who I am? How I write?
Unfortunately, a synopsis is just a business document. It reminds us publishing really is just…a business. Save all the beautiful writing for your manuscript!!
Thank you for this helpful description; all the different things we potentially need: a pitch, query, synopsis, and for some material, a proposal, it feels overwhelming.
Great post--and great way to reframe how you think about writing both a query letter and synopsis. Thank you! (Sometimes all it takes is a little mindset shift.)
You are welcome! I find everything in life is easier with a mindset shift - and ice cream!
If those aren't the truest words!
Very cool. Thank you, Kristen :)
I don't know if this would be helpful, but writing synopses became SO much easier for me after I became a parent and realized I had a WEALTH of them staring at me from my kid's bookshelf. Three words: Little. Golden. Books. I wrote about it here: https://leilaammartin.com/2025/04/10/golden-book-synopsis/
That’s amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Super helpful, Kristen! I thought a synopsis was basically a summary of your book or the bullet points that included your marketing plan.
Maybe for non-fiction? But this is for fiction.
Great post.
This didn’t fill me with dread at all.
Why o why have you stopped offering your query and synopsis service? 😭
Because I’m incapable of not looking at the foundation. 😅
I can absolutely help make a query and synopsis prettier, but if my goal is to get you published, I need to know what’s happening in the manuscript too. More often than not, that’s where the biggest opportunities are.
I hear ya … and a perfectly reasonable answer.
If my ms dies in the query trenches, I’ll seek your help to do the full developmental edit and then self publish. Promise.
I’ve just (re-drafted) my synopsis, stripping it of all of myself, if you know what I mean!
I worry I have taken out lovely elements, that reflect who I am as a writer. And some of the subplots that feel to me so important to mention! 🫣
But on first reading, my agent commented there were an awful lot of elements and I needed to focus on the single, strong hook. Which I have done, zooming in on my conflict, how I am changed through the book and the resolution.
So it is a quite unlyrical, ‘this is what happens’ document.
Is there ANY room for one or two engaging moments of language that hint at who I am? How I write?
Unfortunately, a synopsis is just a business document. It reminds us publishing really is just…a business. Save all the beautiful writing for your manuscript!!
This is very timely for me--thanks!
Thank you for this helpful description; all the different things we potentially need: a pitch, query, synopsis, and for some material, a proposal, it feels overwhelming.