A strong one-page synopsis sets out your novel’s concept, main characters and plot. It should showcase your original and intriguing premise; what makes your characters interesting and engaging, and how your plot builds and plays out.

The key elements we look for are a short pitch statement, and a clear outline of the beginning, middle and end of your book.

Start with your pitch line

Starting with your pitch line gets your synopsis off to a strong start. In the third person, present tense, state your main character, setting and the central conflict of your book. Your pitch line should reflect the heart of your novel, and include the who, when (unless contemporary), where, catalyst and resolution of your book.

For example, here’s the pitch line Abi Daré used in her submission for The Girl with the Louding Voice: “14-year-old Lagos housemaid refuses to accept her fate – she wants an education and to get a ‘louding voice’.” 

Write a paragraph about how your novel starts

In your first paragraph tell us how your novel starts. Use simple, declarative sentences for clarity and brevity.

Who is your main character? What is their situation at the start of the book? What are they hoping to achieve? Why is this important to them? What is the inciting incident that starts the main character’s conflict and journey?

Show how your plot unfolds 

Start a new paragraph and set out what happens in the mid-section of your book. This section should be the longest part of your synopsis.

Here, we are looking for your major plot points and a sense of your main character’s arc. What gets in the way of what your main character is trying to achieve? How does this conflict affect them? Who is helping your character towards their goal and who is hindering them? What is the turning point for your character that sets them on the path to either achieving or not achieving their goal?

If you need to mention minor characters, just say ‘their doctor’, ‘their neighbour’, ‘new classmate’ etc.

Tell us how your novel ends

In your final paragraph, explain how your book concludes.

How does your character try to solve the conflict? What happens in the climax of your book? is your main character better or worse off at the end of the novel? Include your ending and any plot twists. 

Formatting your synopsis

Your synopsis should be presented at the end of your novel extract, as the final page of your submission. It should fit on one A4 page and be single-spaced in a 12 point easy-to-read font.

Related read – The novel synopsis: ten literary agents offer their advice

Now open for submissions