[aparna-vidyasagar Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hello everyone!

A picture book publisher has requested a synopsis along with the manuscript. The manuscript itself is short (about 700 words) and writing a synopsis feels impossible! I have been trying to write a standard 3-4 paragraph summary, but every attempt seems to strip away the energy that the manuscript has.

I saw an old thread here on this topic where the answers have ranged from "no need to provide one" to "just a few sentences."  What does one do when a synopsis is specifically requested (by someone who is familiar with picture books)? What is the publisher expecting?

Thank you in advance for your help and insights!

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,068 Status: Offline Language is so cool!]

A synopsis should not be longer than the manuscript by definition.  Write one sentence for each scene and then tighten it to follow the emotional throughline of the story. Sometimes this replaces the pitch paragraph in a query, but only if it's what is asked for. That query paragraph may provide some of your material.

[JodyJS Posts: 1,319 Status: Offline Available for preorder! Out 12/12/23]

My picture book synopses (more like pitches) usually follow this route (using Little Red Ridinghood):

When Little Red tells a wolf she's going to Grandma's house, the wolf gets there first and gobbles Grandma up. Will Little Red be his next victim? Not if the Woodsman has anything to say about it!

Silly, I know, but I hope it gives you a framework. Good luck!

Jody

[aparna-vidyasagar Posts: 2 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you both very much! Looks like short and sweet is the way to go.