You’ve signed up for a conference and you’ve polished your manuscript. But you’ve heard you need a blurb and a synopsis ready. Aren’t they the same things? And when your writing buddy mentions a tag line and a one-sheet, your head starts to spin. What ‘s the difference between all of these elements?
Unfortunately, different agents or publishers ask for different things from their “pitchers.” I can’t help you with that. But I can help clear up the confusion surrounding the different elements requested.
One popular area of confusion exists around blurbs and synopses (singular is synopsis).
A blurb is like a dating profile. What can you tell the reader that will make him/her pick up the book? A fantastic cover helps, but an engaging blurb will make the reader buy it. List and name the main characters, what they want, and the obstacle in their way. Use exciting action verbs and hyperbole. Use words that create a certain feeling and will draw in the Ideal Reader of your genre– for example the sinister monk, or the ancient ruins. Oh, and DON’T tell the reader how it ends. Include the stakes. Will they find their way out of the labyrinthine rain forest? Will they be eaten by starved zombies? Will they kill the evil mastermind? What if they don’t? What? What?!?! After this is done, hone it down. Some contests call for a blurb under 200 words, but ideally it should be 100-150 words, so that it’s nicely spaced on the back cover. Plus you’ll need room for a tag line (more on that in part 2) and possibly information about you, the author!
A synopsis is a one-to-two page document. Here’s where the publisher looks for plotting issues or weird tropes (i.e., it was all a dream!), but isn’t expecting advertising copy. Keep it minimal — usually either one page (single spaced) or two pages (double spaced). Check the editor/publisher/agent guidelines. If it doesn’t specify, don’t sweat it. Just pick one. Write it in the same tone and style the book is written in. One caveat: if your book is written in first person, don’t write your synopsis that way. Typically, write it in active voice, third person, present tense.
Briefly introduce your main character(s) and put their names IN CAPS the first time they’re introduced for ease of identification. Again, minimal is key. Keep the details few, and don’t give tons of backstory. This document is where you spill the beans regarding your story — an interesting set up, plot twists, emotions and reactions of characters, setbacks, climax and resolution. Save your gorgeous, flowery prose for the manuscript. Yes — you have to tell how the story ends. This is one of the main differences between the synopsis and the blurb. Don’t try to pass the blurb off as a synopsis — they’re two different animals.
It’s good to know this information for writing contests, too. One contest I judged asked for a synopsis, but the entrant gave a blurb instead. She was disqualified.
I’ll be covering tag lines and one-sheets in part 2, so keep your eyes peeled.