WriteWords Writing Community
Writing Courses 
We offer one-to-one email correspondence courses. Visit our writing courses section.
   
Site Search



The Random Read
TELEPORT: Book 1 in The TELEPORT Chronicles (Draft 3, Chapter 1) by marcfiszman


WriteWords Experts
 Expert Comments
Need help?
Speak to a  Site Host
New Members
  Rex (20/8)
  bar70p (20/8)
  Dagmar Baumun (20/8)
  Lara W (20/8)
  Carla (20/8)
Your Experience?
Sent your work out?
We'd like to hear from any authors who have sent work to publishers or agents. Post your comments under the appropriate entry in the WriteWords Directory




Friends
Visual Art Jobs Secondhand Books
Writewords Forums » Getting Published » should synopses be single-spaced?
Email a friend!Tell a friend
  should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 18:35 on 06 August 2008
 

Just saw a comment on someone's work where it was stressed that one should not submit a double-spaced synopsis to agents. Is this right? (If it is, I've committed another dum-dum crime!
I thought they preferred double-spaced. Any thoughts?
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  EmmaD at 18:43 on 06 August 2008
 

Single-spaced. The double-spaced thing is based on the idea that they might be writing on the MS, whereas they're only reading the synopsis. But it's not a hanging matter, let alone (much worse!) a deal-breaker.

Emma
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  NMott at 19:15 on 06 August 2008
 

As Emma says, Single spaced synopsis and covering letter. Double spaced MS - so they have room to write comments if they wish.


- NaomiM
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 19:19 on 06 August 2008
 

Thanks, folks. Bother. Oh well, at least I know for the next batch. I entered a novel competition which stressed a double-spaced synopsis and must have just continued in that mode.
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  geoffmorris at 19:54 on 06 August 2008
 

I read one article the other day that stressed that you needed to make it double spaced and another umpteen that stressed it shouldn't be. I wouldn't worry about it too much though, take I leaf out of my book, I never worry about anything...
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 20:09 on 06 August 2008
 

Isn't it all crazy? Why can't there be a standard method of approaching agents, so everyone knows where they are?
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  Dee at 21:10 on 06 August 2008
 

Don't worry about it, Susie. There are no 'rules' about it, and it won't affect their decision.

Good luck,

Dee
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 21:31 on 06 August 2008
 

Thanks, Dee!
I think I'm getting too hung up on all this.
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  Dee at 21:40 on 06 August 2008
 

We all do



  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 21:45 on 06 August 2008
 

Where are you at with your rewrite?
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  Dee at 07:18 on 07 August 2008
 

Waiting for more suggestions from my agent. She thinks I haven’t quite hit the right note yet, and she’s passed it to one of her readers for comments. Eek!

Dee
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 08:52 on 07 August 2008
 

Oooh, fingers crossed! Hope the reader likes it.
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  EmmaD at 09:26 on 07 August 2008
 

Fingers crossed for the reader's response, Dee, though that basically sounds like progress (progress in the book trade never being more than snail-like...)

And Susie, yes, it won't make a ha'porth of difference to what they think of it.

Emma
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  Dee at 07:36 on 08 August 2008
 

Thanks, Susie and Emma!

Yes, it’s progress. But snail-pace? The reader’s gone on holiday