Writing a story synopsis is an essential skill for any novelist. Whether you’re pitching your novel to agents and publishers or simply ensuring your plot holds together, a well-crafted synopsis serves as both a marketing tool and a structural check. In this guide, we’ll explore how to write a synopsis that is compelling, concise, and effective.
Your novel is finished. You have typed the last word and closed the document or flipped shut the journal that you've been scribbling in since forever. Now you want to take the vulnerable leap and share your story with the world. The first thing that you'll be asked is: so, what's the story about? You fluster, unable to distil your genius and passion into one or two sentences as they demand. You end up talking for ages, chewing their ear off about how you've written the most amazing thing in the world, how it's complex and that it's unfair to condense it, and they eventually get bored.
If this sounds like you, then this blog is perfect: it will teach you how to summarise your story without making it dispassionate. Summarising your story means selling it. And that's what all us writers ultimately want to do, right?
So, What Is a Story Synopsis?
A story synopsis is a summary of your novel that outlines the key plot points, character arcs, and major themes. This sounds like a lot - and it is! - but remember that you are the expert of your novel, and usually it's a case of having too much that you wish to say. Luckily, a synopsis is one to two pages long - but even this can often feel restrictive. A story synopsis is written in the present tense, and conveys the full narrative, including the ending. Unlike a blurb, which is designed to entice readers without spoilers, a synopsis must reveal the entire story to prove its coherence and marketability.
Why Writing a Story Synopsis Matters
Marketing Your Novel: Agents and publishers use synopses to quickly assess whether your story aligns with their interests.
Ensuring Narrative Structure: Writing a synopsis helps identify plot holes, pacing issues, or inconsistencies before submission.
Clarifying Your Vision: Distilling your story into a concise summary forces you to focus on its core elements.
A key thing to look out for is whether the story is a chain reaction, that the events are linked. Things can't just happen out of nowhere - they must be grounded in some sort of logic (which differs depending on the world of the novel.) The famous quote from E. M. Forster is "The King died, and then the Queen died of grief." The "and then" signals that these events have causality. The Queen dies because of her grief, instigated by the King's death.
How to Write a Synopsis for Your Novel
Follow these steps to create a synopsis that captivates industry professionals while maintaining clarity and brevity.
1. Start with a Strong Hook
Your opening sentence should immediately establish your protagonist, setting, and central conflict. For example:
“When police officers Arthur Lawrence and Alonso Garcia investigate an abandoned warehouse, they uncover a WWII veteran's quest for justice and become entwined in a political conspiracy."
This introduction instantly sets the stakes and invites curiosity.
[The examples are taken from my novel, The Falling Sun. Check it out here.]
2. Outline Major Plot Points
A synopsis should include all significant events, but avoid excessive detail. Stick to:
The inciting incident that propels the story forward.
Major turning points that escalate tension.
The climax where conflicts reach their peak.
The resolution that ties up loose ends.
3. Focus on Character Development
Readers—and agents—connect with stories through their characters. Showcase how your protagonist evolves:
“The narrative follows Japanese immigrants Tenshi and Hamata as they struggle for their American Dream on a brutal Californian farm.”
4. Maintain a Professional Tone
Write in the third person, present tense, and keep the language engaging yet straightforward. Avoid overly descriptive prose or subjective opinions—let the story speak for itself. I get that you want to show prospective readers, agents, publishers what you can do with the English language, but a synopsis should be dry and formal. That doesn't mean that it's boring - hopefully your story isn't!
5. Keep It Concise
A one-page synopsis (approximately 500 words) is ideal. If a submission guideline allows two pages, ensure every sentence advances the summary.
6. Reveal the Ending
Unlike a back-cover blurb, your synopsis must include the novel’s conclusion. Agents and editors need to see how your story wraps up to evaluate its strength.
7. Edit for Clarity
Once written, refine your synopsis:
Remove unnecessary subplots to focus on the main story arc.
Ensure logical flow so events connect seamlessly.
Check for grammar and typos to maintain professionalism
Example of Writing a Story Synopsis
[This is a shortened version taken from The Falling Sun.]
1969, San Francisco. When police officers Arthur Lawrence and Alonso Garcia investigate an abandoned warehouse, they uncover a WWII veteran's quest for justice and become entwined in a political conspiracy. Simultaneously, the narrative journeys back to 1910, following Japanese immigrants Tenshi and Hamata as they struggle for their American Dream on a brutal Californian farm, facing xenophobia, labour disputes, and ultimately fleeing to San Francisco, where they confront the harsh realities of a changing world.
Once you have a synopsis, you can easily write a blurb - a condensed version. Focus on summarising the key events of the story - like above.
Final Thoughts
Writing a story synopsis is a crucial step in both the publishing and storytelling process. It acts as a roadmap for your novel’s structure and a persuasive tool for securing representation. By keeping it concise, clear, and compelling, you’ll increase your chances of capturing the attention of literary professionals. Happy writing!
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