For marketing, promotions, back cover copy, and for your editor and/or publisher, you will often find you need to write book summaries of varying length. In addition, you are going to need to develop a summary you can quickly give verbally whenever you are asked what your book is about. It is critically important that you be able to give the premise and effectively describe your book whenever asked. Every contact you have with a curious person-whether in person or by phone or e-mail-is an opportunity for you to sell your book.
At the end of this article, I will give you a template you can use to write multiple summaries from 100 to 500 words. (Samples of varying lengths also included at the end.)
What is a Summary?
A summary is a brief description of your book, and it's filled with excitement and feeling. The summary introduces the main character(s) and the plot and main conflicts facing them and asks questions or presents quandaries that will pique the reader's interest.
The basic summary is:
1) written in present tense;
2) written in third person;
3) written to include cliffhangers and teasers, and it does not reveal any conclusions.
A summary is not exactly the same as a synopsis. It's shorter, punchier, and meant to encourage the reader to open the book and dive in. In contrast, a general synopsis is more detailed and is geared toward attracting an agent or publisher. The summary to which I refer is used after you have contracted your book.
Why Should I Write a Summary?
Writing a brief narrative description of your book can do a number of things for you. First, it will help you to consolidate your thoughts concerning what your book is about. It will also allow you to concisely sketch out the details, which will give you confidence any time you need to talk about your book with a fan, at a reading, on the radio, or in written materials. You can use it on your personal websites, in notices to online groups, and for announcements to chat lists and internet book forums.
Having a summary handy can also be a big help to your publisher and/or publicist. Most presses and their staff have anywhere from several to scores of books they work on at once. Anything you can do to provide information and material, especially in the small press realm, is a help.
Why Doesn't My Publisher Write the Summary?
Most publishers do write summaries for use in promotions, for website updates, and for the back cover. But nobody knows your book better than you, and particularly in the early stages (before an editor has begun work with your story), it is up to you to have information available.
Don't assume that your publisher will use your exact summary to describe the book. Often the publisher will take what you send and lengthen or abridge it. But your well-written, accurate, and enticing summary can be a help.
A Handy Template for Writing a Book Summary
Opening Paragraph
Start first paragraph with information about the Lead's circumstances:
Name of Lead Character: ________________________________ is a ____________________ who __________________________________
Write a very short description (from two to three concise sentences) about the character's circumstances/background/current situation. You might include where the story occurs, too. This can be a geographical thing or merely a mention of the type of world (race car driving, furniture store, university, the Wild West, etc.).
Next Paragraph (if you have a Second Lead)
Second Lead Character's Name (if there is one):____________________ is a ________________________ who __________________________________
Write a very short description (in two or three concise sentences) about this character's circumstances/background/current situation with an emphasis on how s/he contrasts with the First Lead character. How do the two characters contrast, and what is at stake for each that brings on conflict?
Middle Paragraph
Here is where the plot thickens. Describe in two or three sentences the major complications that occur for the main character(s). Think in terms of what stands in the way of the character(s) getting what they want. What are the main conflicts, the main obstacles? What is the story question? This paragraph will often start with words like Suddenly or But when or Little does ___ know…
Ending Paragraph
Use questions here with words like Can or Will:
- "Will Wanda merely lose her lover - or also her life? Can she escape the clutches of the clandestine organization before she is captured and they beat the secrets out of her?"
Or
- "Can Esme put aside her past and find a way to reach out to Barrie? And will Barrie open her heart enough to let her in?"
Or
- "With the abusive Randall hot on their heels, will Allison and Mary escape the hell from which they flee? Or will the man use his powers to have them killed?"
Final Comment (optional)
Add a final line which can be either a blurb or a publisher's marketing statement:
- "Name of Book_______ is a story of love and loss by the incomparable Author Name_______."
Or
- "Author Name_______'s eighth novel is jam-packed with excitement and surprises. Don't miss this one from the undisputed master of suspense."
Or
- "This debut novel by a talented new novelist breaks all the rules and will keep you reading from sunup to sundown. Don't miss this one."
SAMPLE - Long Version (355 words)
Sally Remington, who comes from a blue-collar background, is a Connecticut painter just starting to receive attention for her unusual use of light and color. After twelve years of laboring in the interior design business and painting at night, she is finally invited to New York City for her first professional showing at the top-notch Samples Gallery. Her dream-come-true is complicated by her mother's terminal illness. More than anything, Sally wants Anne Remington to live long enough to see her daughter's art success.
Virginia Samples is a woman who has never had to fight for anyone or anything. Born to a wealthy New York family, she has had everything handed to her on a platinum platter. Horses, jewelry, art, handsome men, and all the luxury one woman can possess. Still, something is missing from her life. Her charity work and the time she spends administering the Samples Gallery doesn't fill the needy hole, and at age 32, she is beginning to realize that there's more to life than the constant acquisition of things.
When Sally and Virginia meet, sparks fly - and not in a good way. Sweet, shy, economical Sally is no match for Virginia's biting tongue, and she resigns herself to what she believes will be a dreadful gallery showing. Meanwhile, the bitter socialite is repelled by Sally's passive stoicism but also strangely attracted to the other woman's art. How can such a beautiful young woman be so meek and reclusive? Why will Sally not fight for herself? And why does Virginia feel so drawn to her?
They are two women from two ends of the financial spectrum - two women who seem to have nothing in common - two lonely women who have never experienced the power of true love. Will they each find a way to break down the walls that divide them in order to open their hearts? Or will they miss their chance forever?
This latest romance from bestselling author Shelby Quartermaine is a stunning drama of betrayal, missed communication, and love tested by hardship. It will warm your heart, win you over, and leave you begging for the next Quartermaine masterpiece.
SAMPLE - Shorter Version (296 words)
Painter Sally Remington, who comes from a blue-collar background, is just starting to receive attention for her unusual use of light and color. After supporting her art for twelve years in a Connecticut interior design business, she is finally invited to New York City for her first professional showing at the top-notch Samples Gallery. Her dream-come-true is complicated by her mother's terminal illness. Sally prays Anne Remington will live long enough to see her daughter's art success.
Virginia Samples, born to a wealthy New York family, has had everything handed to her on a platinum platter. Horses, jewelry, art, handsome men, and all the luxury one woman can possess. Still, something is missing from her life. Her charity work and the time she spends administering the Samples Gallery doesn't satisfy her anymore, and she is beginning to wonder if there's more to life than the constant acquisition of things.
When Sally and Virginia meet, sparks fly - and not in a good way. Sweet, shy Sally is no match for Virginia's biting tongue, and the bitter socialite is repelled by Sally's passive stoicism but strangely attracted to Sally's art. How can such a beautiful young woman be so meek and reclusive? Why will Sally not fight for herself? And why does Virginia feel so drawn to her?
The two women seem so different, but neither has experienced the power of true love. Will they each find a way to break down the walls that divide them in order to open their hearts? Or will they miss their chance forever?
This latest romance from bestselling author Shelby Quartermaine is a stunning drama of betrayal, missed communication, and love tested by hardship. It will warm your heart, win you over, and leave you begging for the next Quartermaine masterpiece.
SAMPLE - Really Short Version (182 words)
When painter Sally Remington is finally invited to New York City for her first professional showing at the top-notch Samples Gallery, her dream-come-true is complicated by her mother's terminal illness.
Virginia Samples, born to a wealthy New York family, has had everything handed to her on a platinum platter: horses, jewelry, art, handsome men, and more. Still, something is missing from her life. Charity work and the time she spends administering the Samples Gallery are not enough.
When Sally and Virginia meet, sparks fly - and not in a good way. Sally is no match for Virginia's biting tongue, and the bitter socialite is repelled by Sally's demeanor but strangely attracted to Sally's art. Why does Virginia feel so drawn to her?
Will these two lonely women find a way to break down the walls that divide them? Or will they miss their chance forever?
This latest romance from bestselling author Shelby Quartermaine is a stunning drama of betrayal, missed communication, and love tested by hardship. It will warm your heart, win you over, and leave you begging for the next Quartermaine masterpiece.
SAMPLE - Shortest, Condensed Version (126 words)
Painter Sally Remington and her terminally ill mother travel to New York for Sally's first art show at Samples Gallery. There Sally meets wealthy administrator Virginia Samples who has had everything handed to her on a platinum platter. Sally is no match for Virginia's biting tongue, and the bitter socialite is repelled by Sally's demeanor but strangely attracted to Sally's art. Why does Virginia feel so drawn to her? And why can't Sally get Virginia out of her mind?
Will these two lonely women find a way to break down the walls that divide them? Or will they miss their chance forever?
This latest romance from bestselling author Shelby Quartermaine will warm your heart, win you over, and leave you begging for the next Quartermaine masterpiece.
Final Thoughts
You can write a summary of your book at any time just as you might write a synopsis. The difference is that your summary asks questions and poses problems while the synopsis lays everything out from beginning to end. You could even use this tool before you write the book. Using the template above, you could easily create characters, plot, and conflict that you could then employ to write an entire novel.
Resources
For expanded information about writing queries, synopses, and proposals, check out these books:
Your Novel Proposal from Creation to Contract:
The Complete Guide to Writing Query Letters, Synopses & Proposals
By Blythe Camenson & Marshall J. Cook
How to Write a Book Proposal
By Michael Larsen
The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book
By Susan Page
How to Write and Sell Your Novel:
Handbook for the Beginning Novelist
by R. Karl Largent
_____
© Lori L. Lake, 2005
From her untitled book about novel writing, a work in progress.
Not for distribution or copying without the express permission of the author. Lori can be reached at Lori@LoriLLake.com and welcomes questions and comments.
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