Services : Queries, Proposals, and Synopses
Your initial contact with an agent or publisher is your first impression; therefore, it’s crucial that you put your best foot forward when drafting a letter.
The material required for initial contact with an agent or publisher varies. Usually, you send a one-page query first, especially for fiction. You should have a proposal and synopsis on hand, though they often come later. Sometimes, proposals are sent up front for nonfiction. Publishers and agents are very specific about what they want sent. Often, this information can be found on their Web site or through requesting submission information. They are a weary bunch, generally, and often short on time. Appreciation and attention is given to those who follow their specifications.
What I can do . . .
- Read your manuscript and write the materials required for submitting to agents and publishers, including proposals, queries, synopses, and bios.
- Consult with you and edit material you’ve already written.
- Research agents or publishers that are appropriate for your market, provide resources, and offer guidance.
- Research the legitimacy of agents or contacts you’ve already made.
- Prepare your manuscript for submission—i.e., format according to industry standards.
- Review and critique the manuscript to determine if it’s ready for submission.
For book-length manuscripts of varying genres, the following may apply:
Query Letters
For those who’ve written nonfiction, fiction, and newspaper or magazine articles. These letters are sent to agents or publishers in an effort to seek representation or publication. Please note: I don’t advise authors to query before they’ve completed their manuscript.
Query letters do not exceed one page and are generally written as follows:
- Opening hook: Effectively grabs an agent’s or editor’s attention.
- Synopsis: Describes your book by discussing its plot, main characters, conflict, underlying theme, genre, and word count. Includes the working title.
- Your credentials: Highlights relevant training, professional experience, degrees; writing experience and credits; history of publications.
- Closing statement: Thanks the editor or agent for their time. Offers to send your complete manuscript.
How to format a query letter:
- Style it as you would a business letter (either on letterhead, or using your name, address, phone, and e-mail at top-right corner). Use block-style paragraphs.
- Address it to a specific person at the agency or publishing house.
Tips:
- Have it edited by a professional.
- Always address your letters to a specific person.
- Do not send enclosures or attachments. Queries should be one page.
- Do not send it as an e-mail unless you’ve been given permission to do so; however, it is becoming more common for agents to request e-mail inquiries only. When you send e-mail queries, be sure to put “Query” in the subject line, otherwise it could get deleted. Again, do not send attachments. If the material you are sending is lengthy, use snail mail instead.
- Enclose an SASE.
- Maintain a level of professionalism, follow query letter etiquette—i.e., do not beg or plead, do not put yourself down if you have no credentials, do not try to get sympathy; no bargains, no threats.
Compare
Look at an agent’s site to see what they require—New Brand Agency Group.
Samples
Hunting for an Agent by John E. Stith
Related Articles
“How to Write a Successful Query” by Moira Allen
“20 Valuable Tips to Getting Published” by James Russell Publishing
Proposals
Generally reserved for nonfiction, but may be used for fiction, depending on your contact’s requirements. Proposals are in-depth descriptions of both the purpose and content of your book. They describe what the book is about, who it is for, and why it is needed. Proposals are typically about 10 to 20 pages and include the following:
- Cover letter: A brief summary of the book proposal. Includes all methods of contacting you.
- Overview: The subject of the book, the angle you’ve taken with it, how it can impact a reader; anything that sets your book apart from others; whether it contains special formatting, illustrations, or photographs, tables and charts; the length of the book, or the estimated length if it’s not yet complete. Style it after back-of-the-book jacket copy.
- Table of contents: Lists chapter titles, along with two or three lines describing the content of each chapter.
- Audience: Who will buy your book. Are they young or old? Male or female? Be specific.
- Market study: Other recently published books that cover the subject on which you’ve written (or related titles). How is your book different? How is it better?
- Sample chapters: An opportunity to showcase your writing. Sometimes contacts will ask for this in the proposal; other times, it comes later. Often, contacts will be specific about which sections or chapters of the book they want to see; otherwise, you’re free to select what will best represent your work—usually up to three chapters or sections.
- Bio: Credentials, qualifications for writing the book, any other writing credits. If you have access to a particular market, say so here. If you have skills such as public speaking or marketing, mention this as well.
Remember, this is a general outline of the requirements necessary to complete a book proposal.
Tips:
- Treat your proposal as a sales tool.
- Do not fold proposal materials—mail them flat and provide an SASE that can be returned flat.
- Follow specific instructions on an agent or publisher’s Web site.
- Do not go significantly under or over the page-length requirements.
Compare
Look at an agent’s site to see what they require—Levine Greenberg Literary Agency.
Samples
Sample Nonfiction Book Proposal by Jenna Glatzer
Related Article
“The Ten Most Common Reasons Book Proposals are Rejected—and What These Reasons Really Mean” by Marcia Yudkin
Synopses
A synopsis is a summary of your book and the primary means used to sell it to an editor or agent. A synopsis helps editors and agents decide how to market and sell your story. Eventually, your synopsis will be used by the marketing and promotional staff for jacket copy. For obvious reasons, it is best, but not always necessary, to have completed your book before writing your synopsis. A well-written synopsis gives a concise account of your story, a clear idea of your main characters and what is at stake for them, and how the story is resolved. It is written as a narrative that weaves together the elements of your story. It does not have to include every detail and subplot.
- Opening: Paragraph that introduces your story and contains a “hook” to keep the reader’s interest.
- Body: Subsequent paragraphs that introduce your main characters and their main conflicts, major plot points and mention of subplots.
- Conclusion: How the story ends and the conflicts are resolved. You must include this, as there’s not much point in having a cliffhanger.
How to style a synopsis
- Write it as a narrative summary of your book; style the writing to reflect the writing in your book. Use a logical flow—chronological, major plot points, etc.—and use transitions between paragraphs.
- Write it in third person, present tense.
How to format a synopsis
- In the upper left-hand corner, you should have the following: “Synopsis of [Title here]”; “Genre”; “Word count”; “By.”
- Single space your synopsis only if it is one page; synopses longer than one page should be double-spaced. General rule of thumb is one page per 15,000 words of your novel, though shorter is generally better.
- Indent paragraphs; do not use spaces between them. Use Times New Roman, 12-pt. font and standard margins. No cover page is necessary.
- Use quality white bond paper.
- Number the pages; use last name and title of book on upper corner of each page.
Compare
Look at an agent’s site to see what they require—Zachary Shuster Harmsworth.
Samples
Synopsis Examples by Deborah M. Hale
Related Articles
“Plot and Synopsis” by Nancy Richards Akers
“Seven Reasons Not to Shun Synopses” by Cindi Myers
For more information on locating an agent or publisher and writing materials for submission, see my Resources page or contact me directly.