Book Pitch, Query Letter, Synopsis: What's The Difference?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ย. 2018
- How to write a query letter? What is a pitch? How do you write a summary or synopsis of your book? From the beaches of Kauai, we guide you through crafting the perfect package. Visit us at thebookdoctors.com. SUBSCRIBE: goo.gl/9VaE9C.
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WHAT WE COVER
We want to talk about the difference between queries, pitches, and summaries (also known as synopses).
0:24 Let's start with the pitch. What is a pitch?
0:42 What is a query letter and how do you write one? How to write a query letter for a novel?
1:00 How do you write a book synopsis? How long is a synopsis?
1:20 What's the difference between a pitch and a synopsis/summary? Do you tell the ending?
1:30 Does a summary include the ending to your book? What should a book synopsis include?
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short and very clear
TYSM!
Thank you for this.
Thank you for the succinct and thorough explanation!
Thx, Kristi! Appreciate it!
Haha I used to think that the "pitch" was just everything you literally pitch to agents and that the "blurb" was hat you put at the back of the book, kind of like a pitch. Love the editing in this video!
Editing is done by our awesome TH-cam aficionado Kristi Tuck Austin. Glad we cleared up the whole pitch thing!
This was great. I found the bullet points particularly helpful. I do have one question: since novel lengths vary, is there any rule of thumb to go by for how long the summary should be? Like: 60-80K should be 3-4 pages and 100-150K should be 5-6?
We love this question! Strangely, some long novels are easier to summarize than much shorter ones. It all depends on number of characters, number of plot twists, number of secondary and tertiary story lines, etc. That said, in general, it typically does take more pages with a longer novel. There are certainly good summaries that can go up to ten pages. The 3-5 is for most books.
When an agent asks to include a query letter with a synopsis, are we including the pitch AND synopsis, or just the synopsis with the first paragraph and bio?
Do you mean the "first paragraph" of the book? They are asking for the query (which includes the pitch--what would appear on the back of the book) and a synopsis.
Excellent breakdown! ...Although, I do have one question: I'm querying for a picture book manuscript. Sometimes agents use Query Manager for us to fill out. And many include these particular fields you mention. (pitch, bio, synopsis, manuscript...in addition to the query itself, all in separate fields) ...If I'm filling in the fields and using similar wordage in the query as I am in the separate fields ...(and essentially repeating myself a little in the process), is that a red flag and appear as redundant to the agent?
I feel like the way I pitch the story is the best way to tell it.
Thanks, Pam! Repetition is fine. But it's better to find the individual agents email addresses than to fill out a form. Sometimes you have to. But with some hunting, you can often find the addresses.
@@TheBookDoctors Ok. Thank you for replying! ...One last thing: What if the agent requires that channel in which to submit a query?... Should I keep shopping for agents that don't use them? I'm finding that a LOT of agents are transisioning to that method now.
@@pamjoseph2325 The agency may say they require it. But if you get a personal email address and can find a good reason to write to the agent (you agented X book, which I love. You were at X conference. You did X interview. etc etc), you can bypass the form.
@@TheBookDoctors Hmm. Will definitely keep this in mind. Thank you so much for your responses!! ...I subscribed and am looking forward to more of your helpful videos!
@@pamjoseph2325 Feel free to suggest subjects!
If an agent asks for a synopsis, is that the same as the summary you describe?
Yes!
I found the summary to be the hardest part, really difficult. I felt that I was too close to it and also that the tale was too "big" to put into a summary. Condensing it all was nearly impossible for me. I wanted someone else to do it! Lol But I know it's important.
Actually having someone else do it can be really effective! David and I write each other's. If you have beta readers who are willing to sit down with you, it can be a huge help!
@@TheBookDoctors I love this idea!
@@kristituckaustin5229 Thanks!