7/20/09

Synopses

Awhile back I commented that every author should have a couple of different lengths of synopses for each of their novels, along with a good query letter.

I have an excellent query letter (after numerous ass-whoopin's from my buddy Jody-check out her blog, she's got snark down to an art!), which could also be a 'mini-synopsis' except it doesn't give away the ending. I honestly think this is my best query letter. Trust me, I've had enough stinkers to finally recognize a 'good' one.
--One, Jody had read MOGG (short for MISSING: One Garden Gnome, don'cha know) and knew the story.
--Two, she kept pushing me to try harder, to use better descriptors, etc., and did an incredible job making my query better without trying to rewrite MY query (VERY difficult to do, but she's the best!)
--Three, I'm sure there's a three, but it's early and I'm drawing a blank.

Anyhoo, so far I have 20 basic queries floating around--I've recieved two rejections, and one partial request (YAY! query works!). And I still have about 15 more agents I want to query, but they all want some form of synopsis along with the query, and/or pages. Every agent is different. At this point in the relationship (i.e. there IS NO relationship) the author must play by the agent's rules.

This is where the synopsis part comes in. This particular requesting agent wants a two page synopsis.

Uh, I only have a five page synopsis. This is the very resion why I suggested having a long (5-10 pgs) and short (2-3 pgs) synopsis plus a one page single-spaced synopsis. It's a good way to cover all the bases since no agent is alike in there preferences.

So I wrote my two page synopsis this last weekend between running errands, laundry, cleaning house, and swimming and relaxing with the family.
BUT the partial (synopsis and pages) will be waiting for the agent when she opens her computer today.

Write on!

10 comments:

  1. Good luck with your queries! I write my two-page synopses single-spaced.

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  2. Thanks, Edie! It's done and off my desk!
    Now to send out more queries.

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  3. WOOT!! I'm thrilled for you, girl!! I knew you could do it. Let me know when you hear back from him! ^5!

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  4. Thanks, Kira.
    This is the 'hurry up and wait' time. :-)

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  5. HEY! I didn't know you'd received a partial request....I feel like a proud mama! How many pages did you send? I guess that's a good argument for having the beginning of your manuscript really polished and written to draw the reader into the story right away.

    Hope it works out and hope you get more requests....it would be nice to have some agents fighting over you. :)

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  6. Thanks, Jody!

    She wanted 30 pages and a 2-pg synopsis, so I sent 31 pages (it was the end of a chapter) and the 2-pg synopsis.

    >>it would be nice to have some agents fighting over you. :)<<<

    Uh, in my dreams, but don't think it exists in this plane of my existance!

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  7. Congrats on getting it down. It's one thing that I hear most writers complain about.

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  8. Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer!
    I don't like writing synopses, but queries really eat my lunch!
    Hopefully, this story will turn into something good. If not, well, I'll just finish #2 and start the process all over again.

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  9. YAY on the request. Good Luck!

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