Quote:
Originally Posted by neilmarr
Few authors-in-waiting realise that they can actually sell a story on synopsis. If the story idea is gripping and characters are appealing in a tightly written summary, there's always an editorial way to fix the manuscript itself.
Neil
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OTOH some agents (like John Jarrold) don't want to see a synopsis at all. Writing a good synopsis that conveys the same atmosphere and excitement as the prose itself is a completely separate skill, and many writers really struggle with it, despite being able to write great novels. In any case, you should -- as mentioned so many times -- follow the submission guidelines to the letter and send each agent exactly what he or she wants to see.
What I've heard over and over from editors and agents (on- and offline) is that what they mostly look for is "voice" - a unique combination of style and content that draws the reader in. Plot holes and pacing problems are fairly easy for the editor to spot and help you fix, but if your ideas are weak or your style boring, you need to work on your craft a lot more and come back later
