Formatting question:

I'm quite savvy on standard manuscript format now, but what's the standard for a synopsis? Not the short, pithy cover letter type, but a longer one? I'm entering a contest where I have to turn in a 3-10 page synopsis as well as the first chapter of my ms. And since this particular contest attracts many published as well as unpublished authors, I want to make sure my entry doesn't give away my amateur status before the judges read a word. Anyway, I know the synopsis should be third person, present tense, even though my novel is first person past. Right? And is it single or double-spaced?

Susan, my synopses have always been single spaced, unlike the manuscript formatting. These days, though, I've gone to 1.5 spacing, to make my agent (eyesight) and editor (84 years old) happier. Standard ms margins, courier 12, no indent or right justification, the usual.

Thanks, deb!

Pas probleme. My only caveat there is that my synopsis are the sales pitch version: one page, fast summary, teaser, summation - basically what you'd see on the back of the book jacket. Thing is, they're one page single spaced. I don't know that a 1.5 spacing is a good idea if you're going ten pages.

For this, I think I'll do single space. Now I just have to write the damn thing.

Susan, just to chime as someone who used to read synopses daily, when I was acquiring, I was always happy with double-spaced. Unless, like Deb said, it's a one- or possibly two-page thing, double-spaced is really going to save an editor's eyes.

But then I was also never one to quibble about format, unless a manuscript came in single-spaced, or in some really weird font.

Aaaand, AmyLiz nails it. My computer actually defaults to MS settings in Word. So with synopses - and I do stress, all of mine are the kind you could put on a book jacket, because I don't think a synopsis and a book summary are the same thing, and it sounds as if what they're asking for is more of a summary - I actually have to remember to change from double to 1.5, and not to indent paragraphs, the way I do in novel or short story format.

I've already marked this series of posts, just in case I ever kick my terrified muse in the head and make her finish that original novel.

Deb, did you see my post in Books the other day? I'm printing out chunks of Matty now because it's taking so long with the baby to read on-screen, but I will have comments soon, I promise!

After I read AmyLiz's post, I did a little research. It looks like short synopses are single-spaced, but longer ones like this contest requires are double.

So, must now write the thing around Annabel's naps. I'm entering two contests through Romance Writers of America chapters where the judges for finalists in the historical category are editors from houses that'd be decent fits for my book. I figure I have nothing to lose. Judging is anonymous, so I'm not going to give myself a bad name with anyone I'd like to impress. If I make the finals, my work gets read by someone with the power to buy it. And if I don't, at least I'll get some feedback from the first-round judges.

After that, I'm going to send out some query packages for Lucy (the first novel) to some likely-looking agents. And then, it's back to work on Anna (the new novel).