Writing your book synopsis for your novel

If you look around on the web you will find lots of good advice, but some of it you may find conflicting. The trick is to cut through it all and get to the meat of what it is you want and need to say. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

Firstly, get that book title down first. Secondly be clear about what genre you are writing in. Sometimes I know, the waters are a bit muddied, especially if you are writing something like a post-modern feminist romance. Which to choose? If you’re not clear have a look on Amazon, see what categories there are and where you think your novel fits. Also, consider how competitive the field is that you are considering. If you think your novel would fare better in with the romance rather than the feminist writing then do consider it. It's about getting your novel noticed in more ways than just writing the synopsis. 

The next consideration is your pitch line. This needs to be stated early on in. What is a pitch? Usually the main aspect or the dilemma, that the whole books sits on. If there’s an incredible twist or hook, that should be the main emphasis of your pitch line. If you have a main protagonist, this would be the time to give them a mention, clearly stating their role. 

Further down the text you can give a general indication of the plot. This doesn’t need to be a blow by blow account – why would someone want to buy your novel if that was the case? Just a general indication in the simplest of terms will do fine. I would strongly recommend giving the book a location and time to orient your reader and, where possible, provide an insight into the tone of the book. A wee quote perhaps? 

Should you give away the ending? Personally I wouldn’t - it all depends on the novel and its content, So I’ll leave that decision up to you. 

Good luck and keep writing.