Synopsis: What it is and Isn't

You’ve pitched to an agent or editor at a conference, or you’ve queried an editor or agent about your book, and they request a full submission.

That can mean many things, but most often for fiction books, a submission requires some of your actually-written-edited-best-it-can-be chapters. Their request can also ask for the dreaded synopsis.

“Yikes,” you say, “what’s a synopsis?”

When I began writing, I wrote a synopsis as the final task and worried myself silly over it. I admit I still don't like them.

Multi-published author, Karen Kelley, http://authorkarenkelley.com/

set me straight. “Write your synopsis first when you have the idea in your head. This avoids deciding what’s important and what’s not. In the beginning, we only know the important part. 

Her words of wisdom proved correct. When the book was completed with all the problems I threw at my protagonist, my synopsis was too long. Every plot twist seemed important. I couldn’t delete anything. When I wrote the synopsis first, I hit only the main plot themes.

 

Now, let's look at what a synopsis really is and what's it's not.

What a synopsis is not:

    It’s not a summary.

    It’s not a chapter by chapter outline.

    It’s not a query.

    It’s not a back-cover blurb.

 

What a synopsis does:

     It gives the reader the essence of the story.

     It tells who and what with a light touch on when, where, and

             how.

     It answers the questions:

         What’s so different about this story?
         Why should I care about this person or their problems?
         What does the protagonist want? Why? Why can’t he get it?

     Instead of saying what happened next, it should tell the reader

           what impact it has on the characters.

 Important reminders when we write a synopsis:

     Those who read it judge our writing.

     Find out what the agent or editor that’s the target of your submission wants in a synopsis. Requirements run from one page to ten pages, and formatting desires may differ.

     A synopsis is IMPORTANT.

Good websites on writing synopsis:

http://www.margaretdaley.com/2011/04/synopsis-writing/

http://cjdarlington.com/writing-articles/how-to-write-a-novel-synopsis.htm

http://killzoneauthors.blogspot.com/2010/06/synopsis-writing-made-easy.html#.UaYwN6wo7cs

http://www.lindaneedham.com/synopsistips.htm

Good examples of synopsis: 

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/open-ready-synopsis-example-the-ides-of-march-political-thriller

http://www.storysense.com/synopsis.htm

Why Attend a Writing Conference?

by Vivian Zabel 

     Thursday I leave for the OWFI (Oklahoma Writers' Federation, Inc) Writing

Conference 2013. I do my best to attend every year, and for the past 12 years or so, I've been able to do so. I also attempt to participate in at least one other book event a year and the Muse Online Writers Conference. Why? Let me count the ways:

1. I get to meet other authors, rub elbows with the pros. Yes, I'm a professional writer, too, but I enjoy being with the "big" ones, such as J.A. Jance, Steven James, Debbie Macomber, Bill Bernhardt,  Marcia Preston, Jordan Dane, Merline Lovelace, just to name a few. Most on that list I can call by their first names because they have become friends.

2. Speaking of friends, I get to reconnect to those I haven't seen or visited since the last conference. 

3. I learn something that helps me improve as a writer, as a business person (writing is a business), as a professional. All professionals attend workshops, classes, and/or continuing education courses each year. They must to improve knowledge of their craft and to prove their commitment to their profession. To be a professional writer, we must do the same.

     Yes, I know much about writing, even taught it, still do as an editor and the head of a small press, but I'm still learning, improving. We all need to continue to hone our skills, learn about the business end of writing, and the writing market. We never know all there is to know about anything.
     This year at the OWFI 45! Revive! Strive! Thrive! conference, Mark Coker, founder of Smashwords, will be a speaker. I have the opportunity to learn more about electronic books, how to format, how to expand the number of eBooks 4RV can produce.

4. Conferences offer the opportunity for writers to meet and pitch to editors, agents, and publisher representatives. A way is provided to "breach" the wall around agents and publishers that can't be found otherwise.  Now that I head 4RV Publishing, I take pitches from other authors, but I remember giving pitches to "famous" agents and editors. I enjoy visiting with them now that I'm a member of their ranks, even if maybe not as famous as some of them, yet.

5. I'm inspired and ready to jump in and write enthusiastically again. Conferences help recharge my writing batteries after being around people who actually understand what I do because they do the same thing -- write. Speakers give me hope that success can and does happen. I return home ready to prop my seat in my chair and pound my fingers on the keyboard again.

6. Some conferences have writing contests, which I enter. Entering means I have a chance to win something. The OWFI conference has a writing contest with 33 different categories and one low entry fee that covers all the entries you send. The deadline is February 1, and the results are announced at the big banquet Saturday night of the conference. I entered four categories this year, so I'll be sitting on the edge of my chair waiting to hear my name called. Yes, I have won in the past, even first place at least twice.

7. I can learn about different genres. This year's OWFI conference focuses on fantasy, which I know little and care for less. Oh, I enjoyed Anne McCaffrey's work and still get to read new works by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, but I don't know enough about the genre to really understand it. This conference I have the opportunity to learn more since Patrick Rothfuss is the keynote speaker. I have a copy of his first book for him to sign, too.
    Jordan Dane will speak about writing young adult novels. One year I attended her session about writing thrillers. She's a great writer and speaker.

 

8. Visit with other writers at all levels of ability and experience -- make new friends and find kindred spirits.

9. At some conferences, a writer can have a few pages of writing evaluated by a professional. 

10. According to Susan Denney (WritingWorld.com), a good reason to attend writing conferences is you can write off the trip and entry frees on your income tax as a business expense. Of course before doing so, you should check with an accountant to be sure you qualify.

     I'm excited to have the opportunity to attend this conference later this week. I get little sleep, much excitement, and work hard the whole time, especially since 4RV Publishing will have an exhibitor table this year. However, I'll return tired, exhilarated, and already thinking about entries for next year's competition.

4RV Bookstore  

 

 

3 Steps to Querying Publishers and Agents

3 Steps to Querying Publishers and Agents

By Karen Cioffi

You’ve been slaving for months, maybe years, on your manuscript. You’ve read about belonging to a critique group to help you hone your work and took the advice to heart. You have also listened to the advice about submitting your manuscript to an editor after your critique group is done with it, and after you’ve meticulously self-edited it. Now, you’re ready to begin submissions.

While some authors choose to send queries to a publisher or an agent, there is no reason to choose, send queries off to both. But, there are a few steps you need to be aware of before you actually start submitting:

1. First Impressions
Professionalism, professionalism, professionalism. Yes, be professional. As with any business correspondence, do not use colored stationary, colored text, elaborate font, scented paper or envelope, or any other unprofessional features. You get one shot at making a first impression; don’t blow it on silly additions. And, don’t try to be cute or send a gift. Again, be professional.

2. Research

So, you understand you need to appear professional, but you also need to send your query to the right recipients. You can have the most professional looking query letter, but if you send a query to a romance publisher and you have written a children’s picture book, guess what? You’ll be out of luck.

Research for publishers and agents who work within the genre you write. There are services, such as WritersMarket (http://www.writersmarket.com/) that provide information on where and how to sell your articles or manuscripts. While these services may charge for the service, it is a worthwhile investment.

There are also books that offer the same information, such as Writer’s Market, and Children’s Writers and Illustrator’s Market. If you choose this option, you will need to get the new versions each year. Agents and publishers are changing staff all the time, new companies are popping up and others are closing down, you will need up-to-date information for your query submissions.

3. Content

In the February 2011 issue of the Writer, agent Betsy Lerner explained, “Editors and agents alike enjoy nothing more than being startled awake by a witty or moving letter.” They want to see something special and unique; this is where your pitch comes in.

While you may have taken heed and had your manuscript critiqued and looked at by an editor, you can do the same with your query letter.

You want to give the impression that you are intelligent, so your query letter must reflect that. Get it in the best shape possible, with a great hook, and then send it off to be critiqued.

Publishers and agents receive more queries than they can comfortably handle, so don’t give them a reason to simply reject yours because of unprofessionalism. Give your query and manuscript every possible opportunity for success.

~~~~~
To keep up with writing and marketing information, along with Free webinars - signup for The Writing World newsletter - click on the link or go to Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing (opt-in is on the right top sidebar).

3 Important Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Published

If you’ve been sending out your manuscript for months or even years, you may feel like you’re beating your head against a wall. And it may comfort you to know that you’re not alone. It’s no easy feat to get published these days, but rest assured that hard work does pay off.

You can also use these top three tips to increase your odds of getting published:

1. Spend the majority of your time reading and writing. As a rule of thumb, make it a priority to read more often than you write. How can you expect to become an expert author in your genre if you haven’t read hundreds and thousands of related books? The more that you read and absorb, the better that your manuscript will be. It’s also important to stay informed in your industry so that your work remains relevant and fresh.
2. Write what you know. This may seem like a complete no-brainer, but your work will not be authentic and relatable if you are not writing about what you know. Even though you do need to stay aware of trends in your industry, you can’t follow trends exclusively; a trend will probably be over by the time that you complete your manuscript. If you write what you know and stay true to yourself, you can be a trend starter inside of a trend follower.
3. Submit your manuscript strategically. If you want to see your manuscript in print, be smart about who you submit to. You will probably find that some publishing companies and agents will be interested right off the bat, with strings attached… Don’t waste your time submitted to companies that want to sell you a publishing package or push you into self-publishing if that is not what you are interested in. A good agent or publishing company will be selective and may take time to get back to you. Make sure that you research a publishing company or agent before submitting to ensure that they represent your genre. There is no bigger waste of time than submitting your romance novel to an exclusive publisher of children’s books. All you have to do is do your homework beforehand and submit to agents and publishers that will be legitimately interested in your work. Problem solved!

Bethany Ramos is an author and full-time freelance writer with experience in Internet marketing, social media marketing, and SEO. She is passionate about writing captivating children's books and witty chick lit. For more information, you can visit her blog at chicklit-books.com.

The best online writers conference I know

by Vivian Zabel 

The Muse Online Writing Conference is the best online conference I've found, and it's free. It allows those who can't attend a conference physically to have a chance to learn more about writing, submitting, promotion, and other aspects we need to know.

Registration closes September 25, so people MUST register now:  After that the forum link to register will disappear .

http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/joom/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=3

Also, the conferences has pitch sessions, where writers can pitch their manuscripts to agents and/or publishers. Check out the line up so far for workshops and pitch sessions, read the guidelines what and how to submit your pitches:

http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/joom/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=27

I hardily recommend this conference. 4RV Publishing will have a forum, and I'll be holding a workshop forum, too.

4RV Publishing  
4RV Bookstore