Delete comment from: Fiction University
Writer Librarian, yes, and no. A query is just enough to tease someone into reading the book. It's a lot lot cover copy, but with the details revealed not kept vague (readers want to be surprised, agents need to know specifics). It usually covers the inciting event and the basic core conflict and stakes.
A synopsis is the summary of the novel's plot. It covers the whole story, including the ending. While you won;t cover every single detail, you will capture the major plotline, and potentially a subplot or character arc. (depending on long a synopsis it is).
The goal of a query is to make someone want to read the book. The goal of a synopsis is to show you know how to plot a novel and show there's enough story there.
A query is NOT a brief summary of the entire book. (this is a common first query writer mistake) You don't have to sum up the whole thing in two paragraphs, just the setup and what it all matters. (And by setup I mean the opening to the inciting event, not the backstory)
Jan 19, 2012, 7:44:13 AM