A synopsis is a summary of your entire novel and explains who the main characters are, where and when the action takes place, details the major conflicts, turning points and crisis, and, perhaps most importantly, reveals what happens at the end.
Publishers and agents might ask for a synopsis to get a sense of your ability to plot, to determine if it’s something they might be interested in, to judge your storytelling abilities or even to see if it’s in an identifiable genre and form that they can publish and market.
Your first pages will reveal if you have a unique narrative voice but it’s your synopsis that will give a prospective publisher or agent a hint about your ability to tell and sustain a story over the course of a whole book.
Why you might need one:
A synopsis audit looks at your one, two or three-page synopsis to tease out elements that might not be working, examine character motivation and arc, and identify how to strengthen the story for the publishing market. Where possible, you’ll also get suggestions for increasing the stakes and resources for the next steps.
This service is also useful if you’ve stalled or hit a wall while you’re writing the draft, or you’re not getting any interest when you’re pitching or talking about your book. Authors who are changing genre or writing to market might also want a second set of eyes on their plot before they get started.
What you can expect:
- light edits on the page
- a detailed report
- a 30 minute Zoom or phone call to answer any questions you might have once you’ve digested the feedback.
Pricing:
Up to three pages single spaced (Members: $299 | Non-members $449)
Fine print: submissions must be written by humans and be your own work. We do not assess AI generated works or public domain rewrites.
Member resource
Writers SA members can check out our handy hints for formatting a synopsis and so much more over at the resource library (you must be logged in to access the full library).
Not a member? Join now for as little as $60.
How does it work?
- Pay for your service below
- Submit your writing as a word document, Times New Roman, 12pt, single-spaced
- Your submission will be assessed by one of our team of experienced publishing professionals
- Within four weeks, you will receive written feedback, with questions designed to develop your work and provide you with clear next steps.
Booking form
Synopsis Audit
Submit your details below.
Other services
Are you ready to send your synopsis, query letter and first chapters to publishers or agents? You might be looking for our more comprehensive Pre-Submission Assessment.
Pre-submission Assessment
Once your manuscript is ready for submission, you need to spend time perfecting your pitch. While all publishers and agents have their own submission guidelines, we can give you a general assessment of your synopsis, cover letter, biography and first chapter (or chapter outline if your manuscript is nonfiction.)
Manuscript Assessment
Provides comprehensive, structural feedback on your manuscript, identifying its strengths and areas for improvement, to help you bring your work into the best shape possible.
First Feedback
The perfect option for short stories, first chapters, essays, poetry and other shorter-form writing. An expert will provide you with a report on your writing’s strengths and areas for improvement, asking questions to make your writing the best it can be.
Personal Consultations
Writers SA offers thirty minute consultations for guidance and advice on ways to achieve your writing goals, or as a follow up to a written assessment.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
