After writing the next Great American Novel, even if you’re not in America, one of the next steps is to research publishers or literary agents. Closely follow their submission guidelines. Pay attention to the genre they publish, and don’t expect them to make an exception for you by submitting a query in a genre they don’t publish. No one wants to work with someone who thinks they are so special that the rules, or guidelines, do not apply to them.

Publishers and literary agents require a synopsis of the novel. A synopsis is a summary of the story from start to finish, including the ending. Yes, including the ending. Recently, I read a synopsis in a writing contest that did not include the ending. Rather, the author wrote that the judge would have to purchase the book to see how it ends. No extra points for cuteness.

A synopsis is written single spaced lines, in third person, and is no more than two pages in length. In narrative form identify the genre, the setting, the time period, and the word count. No funny business with fonts. Most people in the industry expect a font like Times New Roman and in an MS Word document format. A synopsis is not about the author. It is about the story. (Information about the author goes in the query letter.)

A professional synopsis tells the story of the protagonist from start to finish. The protagonist’s full name is written in all capital letters the first time it appears in the document.

First off is: What is the problem to be solved, or what is the quest? What is the conflict in reaching that goal? What’s the motivation? If the genre is fantasy, include any special powers or weaknesses.

If there is an identified antagonist, again type their full name in capital letters the first time it is written. What does this person or group do to hamper the protagonist’s progress on their quest and to prohibit the attainment of the goal, and why? What’s the motivation?

Only pivotal secondary characters are mentioned. Obviously, type their name in capital letters, and tell their relationship to the protagonist and their role in reaching the goal.

Review it, preferably by printing it and reading it aloud. Does it say what you meant for it to say? There is no dress rehearsal. No second chance. Submissions/queries are “opening night.” Make it shine.