Unless the submission criteria state otherwise, write a one- or two-page summary (500–1000 words, single spaced) and use it as your default. If your overview is lengthier, up to two pages (single spaced) is generally sufficient. The summary statement can include details about the book's genre and audience as well as an overview of its content.
The summary statement is used by agents and editors to make sure that they are sent books on topics within their interest range. If they feel like it's not for them, they won't waste time reading the rest of the manuscript.
Thus, the synopsis should be concise but detailed enough so that even someone who has never heard of you before still knows what the book is about. It shouldn't contain any spoilers!
Some publishers ask for a complete manuscript instead of a synopsis. If this is the case with your publisher, then you will need to write a full manuscript instead of a synopsis.
However, if you have access to only a partial manuscript, then you can still provide an overview of the book's content by writing a short summary. The overview can include details about the book's genre and audience as well as an outline of its content.
For example, let's say that you are asked to submit a synopsis for a fantasy novel.
Length A summary should be extensive enough to include everything wonderful about your work, yet brief enough to be read in under five minutes. This is normally two to three single-spaced typewritten pages. For TV scripts, this would be one half of a page.
It's best not to try and write a synopsis until after you've written the script itself because it can be difficult to know how much room to give it.
In general, more information means better coverage, but if there isn't time to get into great detail then a shorter summary will do.
The aim is to capture the essential story points while leaving out as many details as possible. This makes it easier for others to understand what the script is about while not boring them to death with small details that won't matter once they see the final cut of the film/episode.
Some producers like to see a short excerpt from the script before agreeing to buy it. If this applies to you then be sure to include a scene that shows how the story progresses through action or dialogue. This way, they have an idea of what kind of script it is before making a purchase.
Finally, keep in mind that the reader/viewer's experience is going to be very different from what you are trying to convey through your synopsis.
The overview should not be too long; an average of 2-3 pages would suffice, although this may be amended or increased depending on the project. The primary goal of creating a project summary is to establish a goal and working method for the project. This allows the client to understand what they are getting themselves into and makes it easier for them to see progress throughout the duration of the project.
There is no specific length requirement for a project synopsis. However, due to its purpose, it should be kept short and to the point. It is recommended that you write your synopsis in a word processing document and then simply copy and paste the text into your email message. This will help to keep your message concise and not exceed the allowable number of characters.
In addition to being brief, a good project synopsis should also include the following information:
These are just some of the many things that make up a good project synopsis.
Keep it brief and in the present tense. A excellent summary should be single-spaced and typed, with a word count of 500 to 700 words. Longer summaries are better for longer books.
Try to include relevant information from each chapter. The summary should be accurate and not leave out any important details.
Book reviews contain a summary as well as a critique. Therefore they are usually longer than book reports which only summarize the story. Book reviews can be between 1,000 and 2,000 words long.
The final product should give the reader an idea about the plot and themes of the book, without going into great detail. Avoid summarizing the whole book in one sentence; instead, try to find several ways to describe the main ideas within the framework of not more than 100 words.
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