The Nitty Gritty of Children’s Writing – Page 48

The Synopsis Shrink

Posted on July 21, 2010March 29, 2025 by Susan Uhlig

No, it’s not a new band or dance or even a psychologist for novel writers–it’s what many of us do when we’re faced with writing a synopsis. In articles on the topic, the word “dreaded” and “synopsis” are often connected, but shrinking from the task won’t help. Therefore, in this entry I’ve attempted to shrink the synopsis into manageable bits. Hope you find it helpful.

Purpose of a Synopsis
• Provides the editor/agent with detailed overview of story – many of us write this after the story is written, but some people do so ahead of time and it is a map for their story (a map that changes).
• Editor/agent sees in sample chapter(s) how you expand what is in your synopsis.
• Editor/agent knows you have an ending.
• To sell your manuscript.

Format
• Written in present tense.
• Written in third person.
• May be a one page overview of the story.
• Can be several pages of what happens in the book.
• Can be longer with what happens in each chapter.
• Publishers want different formats – which is why conferences are invaluable.

What It Is
• A narrative summary of your story, written with feeling.
• Written in the same style as your book. i.e. If your story is humorous, the synopsis should be also.
• An introduction to main character(s) and main conflict(s). What the characters want. What is at stake if they don’t get what they want. The obstacles they experience and how it all turns out.
Kathleen Duey, prolific author, recommends a writer pick the thing, the reason, that drove them to write the book. Character? Plot? Theme? Whatever it is, lead with it in the synopsis. Know what the book is about; keep this “kernel” alive through the synopsis. Track the trajectory of the protagonist. Aim everything toward that. Resolve the protagonist’s story at the end.

What It’s Not
• Complete character or scene list
• Boring

Tools for the Task
• Start with a one sentence summary of your book. This is useful to have for cover letters, or when talking about your book anyway.
• Write the back of the book “blurb.” Read others to see how it’s done.
• Tell someone else about your novel. Can he follow your plotline? What questions does he ask that an editor might want to know as well?
• Write down the major scenes in your book that tell the story. If you’ve created an outline or use a story ladder, those can help at this point.
• Does your main character get what she wants? Does she change? Be prepared to tell those things.
• Use the above to write an active summary of your story. Keep it spare. Present ideas in as short a form as possible. i.e. “Raised by her uncle after her parents were killed, 12-year-old Connie” could become “orphaned 12-year-old Connie.”
• Edit carefully.

Bonus
• Writing out the basics of your story can help you see holes in your manuscript before you start submitting.

COMMON SYNOPSIS ERRORS from December 1994 Writer’s Digest Tip Sheet

The Synopsis that won’t die
6-10 pages can tell a story of up to 100,000 words, longer might merit 12 pages
Top-Heavy Synopsis
half the length or more covers only first few chapters
half the synopsis should cover half the book
Laundry List Synopsis
First this happens, then that happens, now another thing happens
DO use strong verbs, intensify the narrative and make it as expressive as possible
The No-Persons-Land Synopsis
No description is given of the characters
DO a sentence or 2 for major characters and a phrase for secondaries
The To-Be-Continued Synopsis
intriguing the editor by not revealing the end

Resources on Synopses

How to Write a Novel Synopsis – Chuck Sambuchino

How to Write a Novel or Memoir Synopsis – Jane Friedman

How to write a synopsis – Nathan Bransford, former Agent

I know its synopsis time, but do I have to? – Dear Editor

How To Write a Novel Synopsis – Writer’s Digest

Business Side of Writing, The Nitty Gritty of Children's Writing, The Publication Process

Follow the Yellow Brick Road, er, Writers’ Guidelines

Posted on June 22, 2010June 17, 2019 by Susan Uhlig

Many writers DO NOT follow directions. As a conference director and an instructor for a children’s literature course, I see it time and time again. I also saw it when judging a contest for Children’s Writer. It frustrates me. And I know from editors’ and agents’ talks, blogs and twitter comments, that it frustrates them. So like Dorothy, who had to stay on the Yellow Brick Road to get to OZ, you have to stay within the guidelines to get your submission read.
Here are possibilities of what might be asked for in writers’ guidelines or in submission policies:
• Full Manuscript – very common for a picture book or for a magazine piece. Not so common for a novel.
• Cover Letter – whether it is stated or not, for a book length work, it is polite to send a one page cover letter. Some book editors or agents say they read it first; some last. Magazine editors may or may not care whether there is one. However, if the guidelines ask for one, do it! For a magazine submission you may need to tell what theme you’re aiming your article or story–a cover letter is an easy place to do so.
• Query Letter – unlikely for a picture book, and not so common for magazine short stories or articles, but it depends on the magazine. Definitely common for novels, whether submitting to an editor or an agent. But unless you read the specific guidelines for where you’re submitting, you won’t know. What accompanies the query letter is as varied as the days of the month, but here are six common requests:
1. A Partial – part of the manuscript – yes, they know there is more. The editor or agent will ask for more if she likes what she read.
a. First or First Three Chapters – yes, it’s always the beginning of the novel. If those aren’t your best chapters, rewrite until they are.
b. Number of Pages – 5, 10, 100 – again follow the directions. If on the last page of what you are requested to submit, you have an incomplete sentence, delete it so you end on a full sentence.
2. Plus Synopsis or Outline – in addition to a paragraph in your cover letter, an editor or agent may ask for a breakdown of your story. Some may want a chapter by chapter outline. Others a one page synopsis. Yet others a longer synopsis. The guidelines may be very specific about this so you’ll probably have a number of versions of your synopsizes.
3. Bibliography – of course you’ll have this information anyway when doing your research for an article for a magazine, but whether or not an editor will require it depends on their guidelines. You may also have this info for a picture book, especially a nonfiction one.
4. Résumé – some houses and magazines only want a query with no manuscript submission of any kind. They often want a résumé. You’ll also see guidelines for queries that request partials asking for a résumé. Before the Internet I never saw instructions on how to do this, so listed a summary of published books, articles and short stories with a selection of titles and magazines for the latter two. I also included membership in writing organizations. Since then, I’ve found two online resources specifically aimed at children’s writers, but now they are gone. 🙁 So here’s one for authors in general.
5. Clips – article or short story “clipped” out of a magazine – obviously photocopies are acceptable. What they want here is to see some samples of your published works. Some magazines only work with writers after they’ve seen a résumé and clips, and then they assign articles. Some work for hire or educational publishers want to know how you write before they consider you for a project and will also ask for clips. In some cases you can reference online articles as well, though this is not as common.
6. Samples – a sample of your writing. In this case it does not need to be published. Again, this is so they can determine whether they want to try you out with an assignment.
• Special requests. These could be quite varied. I recently read in one magazine’s guidelines that they want “the date of submission on the first page of the manuscript.” Of course, many magazines will want to know what rights you are selling. However, if they only buy all rights, that is what they will assume you’re selling. Some publishers may request you to give them a marketing plan.
Writers’ Guidelines will also let you know the acceptable method of sending your manuscript or query. The standard postal mail aka snail mail is still the norm for many publishing houses and magazines. Agents are more likely to go with email. But email has its caveats: what the subject line MUST say or include, query and/or manuscript portion pasted into the email itself or as an attachment. If an attachment, it must be in a certain format, i.e. Microsoft Word. Mess up on following the “how to” on an email submission and it will probably not be read.
Okay, I know it’s not a deep concept, but really READ THE DIRECTIONS and FOLLOW THEM! You’ll avoid an automatic rejection by doing so, and perhaps you’ll get in to meet the Wizard of Oz, er, Editor or Agent.

The Nitty Gritty of Children's Writing, The Publication Process

Mind Your Cs and Qs – part three

Posted on June 9, 2010August 20, 2026 by Susan Uhlig

Today I’m talking about inQuiry letters and Contracts. This is by no means exhaustive–just some things I’ve learned along the way.

INQUIRY LETTERS ON STATUS OF MANUSCRIPT
• After a reasonable amount of time has passed–say 1 month past when (and if) a publisher says they report–you may send an inquiry letter, or inquiry email if that’s how you submitted.
Be brief and to the point. Here’s what to say:
– When you sent it
– What you sent (picture book, first 3 chapters of a middle grade novel), include title
– Request for action
EXAMPLE: In July I sent you a short story called “No Way!” about a girl whose mother has said they are moving. I haven’t received either a rejection or an acceptance from you, which considering how long it has been is quite unusualyou’re usually so prompt! I’m wondering if you either didn’t receive it or whether your response to me was lost.
Consider including an SASP with check boxes – see sample following. Many writers find an SASP most effective.
INQUIRY POSTCARD
• Don’t call or email unless the editor has invited you to do so.
• If you receive no answer to your inquiry in a reasonable amount of time, you may submit the manuscript elsewhere. In the past I’ve written letters withdrawing a submission, but it’s usually not necessary, especially in today’s climate where no response meaning “no” is becoming standard practice for many houses.

CONTRACTS

About 15 years ago I refused to sign a contract after doing research. The pay was bad, and they wanted first option on my next three books for the same rate. The editor told me their contracts were non-negotiable. If anyone tells you the same, don’t go with them!

About 10 years ago I used “25 points of a book contract” from The Writer’s Book of Checklists by Scott Edelstein (Writer’s Digest) to help me figure out whether to sign the other book contracts I had received.

• DON’T SIGN WITHOUT READING CAREFULLY
Common Clauses
– Delivery of Satisfactory Copy
– Permission for Copyrighted Material
– Grant of Rights
– Proofreading & Author’s Corrections
– Advances & Royalties
– Author’s Warranties & Indemnities
– Copies to Author
– Option Clause
– Going Out of Print

Check resources:

SCBWI has this resource.

13 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Sign That Book Contract or Take That Freelance Writing Job

Publishing Contracts 101 (What You Need to Know to Protect Your Work)

• NEGOTIATE
Read info on this topic to see what is usually negotiable and what is not. I heard one editor say, “You can ask for more money, once.”

A nice clause to include especially for children’s picture books is: “The Publisher undertakes to commission illustrations for the Work, and the Author shall be given the opportunity to approve the illustrator’s first dummy roughs and final presentation (including text).” from the SCBWI Bulletin 1996

• IF IN DOUBT, GET A LITERARY LAWYER OR AN AGENT TO LOOK AT THE CONTRACT. (Author’s Guild offers services.)

The Nitty Gritty of Children's Writing, The Publication Process

Mind Your Cs and Qs – part two

Posted on May 19, 2010January 9, 2024 by Susan Uhlig

What do you say in a cover or query letter?

“The most IMPORTANT THING a cover letter does is ALLOW YOU TO SHOW YOURSELF IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT TO A PROSPECTIVE PUBLISHER. There are many variables possible in cover letters and most of them will work for someone, somewhere. But in order to get your letters working for you, you need to find the best possible combination of things to say (and NOT say) in YOUR cover letter for YOUR stories that show off YOUR specific talents, credits and expertise in the best possible light.” – Verla Kay, children’s author
There are a few rules.
Rule number 1 – one page only.
Rule number 2 – know the purpose, which is to catch the editor’s (or agent’s) attention.
Now let’s discuss the Pieces and Parts of a Query or Cover Letter.

Simple letterhead with your info.
Date.
Editor or agent name and address.
Greeting – professional (Ms. Martin, Mr. Yee, or Evan Z…).
Your contact with editor/agent, if any. This can be your opening, or can follow the paragraph about your submission.

Where you heard editor speak, if appropriate
Where you read article
What you thought
May mention a RECENT book of theirs that you loved
May be a thank you, i.e. “Thank you for your encouraging remarks on my last submission, Title.”

Something exciting about your book, short story or article.

Grab the reader right away. This may be a direct quote from the manuscript or a catchy line or question about the theme of your piece. A sound bite. A teaser. The following are starter ideas:

• Does the first line hook the reader?
• Is it an unusual idea or deal with an unusual situation with universal themes?
• Is it set in an unusual place?
• For a magazine piece, is it timely? (i.e. 100th anniversary of … and, of course, you’re submitting with plenty of lead time.)

In a query, this paragraph or section may be all you have to showcase your piece. Make it as good as you can. For a book, think of doing an elevator pitch or mini-synopsis of your story. Think of the blurb on the back of the book as you work. Agent Nathan Bransford has an excellent blog entry on this topic. Read “The One Sentence, One Paragraph, and Two Paragraph Pitch.”

Details about your piece.

What it is: middle grade novel, picture book, magazine article.
Nonfiction books often require a book proposal–this series does not address those since I’ve not had that experience.

ARTICLE VERSUS STORY
Some people call articles stories, while others only refer to fiction as stories. What’s what?
I personally differentiate these two by nonfiction (article or essay) or fiction (story), and of course, each of those categories can be broken down more. That said, I will at times call a piece a “true story” versus an article. That usually happens in response to a magazine looking for “true stories about…” Sometimes these are also called true experiences.
When submitting a manuscript, I usually indicate “article” or “nonfiction” for those true stories and “fiction based on a true story” or “fiction” on those I’ve made up.
NOVEL
It might be a middle grade novel, an early YA novel, or a tween novel, etc., but never a fictional novel. Editors and agents hate that misnomer.

More details about your piece.

Why it shouldn’t be passed up or a need for book in today’s market. If you can demonstrate this, you’ll have an edge.

Verla: “It was an exciting and dramatic period of our American history, but until now there have been almost no picture books on this subject for the 5-8 year old child. The only picture books listed in “books in print” are very long — up to two thousand words. None of them are suitable for younger children.”
And more details about your piece.

- a brief summary

• one sentence for a cover
• no more than a paragraph for a magazine query
• high concept – 25 words or less
• hit the high points
• tell the end

- title
- word length and number of chapters, if appropriate
- rights for magazine pieces: if reprint rights, tell where and when it has appeared
- exclusive or multiple submission, if appropriate
- whether it is complete
- whether you are including a synopsis (if requested in their guidelines)
- whether it has additional material

• for books, glossary or maps or photographs (color slides, digital images, black & white photos)
• for magazine pieces, sidebar, activity, photos, related websites
• anything the editor should know about it

setting is unusual and you’ve lived there
theme
a holiday story
what inspired you to write it

Appropriate info about you.

- publication credits – if you don’t have any, leave this out

• “I’m enclosing my résumé” or books you’ve published and/or a list of some magazines you’ve been published in.
• don’t apologize for not having credits
• don’t say you’re a first time writer

awards, contest winner
training – degree in something relating to Literature or English, graduated from Institute of Children’s Literature
related personal history, education, jobs, or hobbies that apply to this piece

Closing.

include info about SASE and if it’s for “reply only” indicate they may discard the copy of the manuscript
for queries, call for an answer on whether they want to see your manuscript (or the rest of your manuscript)

Sincerely (or whatever you feel is appropriate) and your typed name with space to put a signature.

Enclosures – this is standard business letter practice.

If you learn better by example, check out these sample query letters by Tracy C. Gold and Rajani LaRocca.

Get Ready. Get Set. Submit!

1. Do you know where you want to send it?
• If so, move on to the next step.
• If not, and you’re already done the homework mentioned in part one, discuss with your critique group. They may have good suggestions.

2. Check your market book, guidelines, and any other resources you have for this specific publishing house or magazine. Ask yourself . . .
• Is my manuscript the type they publish?
• Is my word count appropriate for what they want?
• Have I heard an editor from here speak? Or read an interview with them?

3. Read first lines from your manuscript or write out what is exciting about your piece to use as a teaser.

4. Write your letter.

5. Check for the elements above.

6. Proof carefully!

7. If possible, share with your critique group or another writer; they might offer suggestions and comments for improvement.

Final Suggestions

Overall, remember to be brief, professional and to the point, but let your voice come through
Spell check!!
Send a clean copy
Keep copy of your letter

Market Prep, The Nitty Gritty of Children's Writing, The Publication Process

Mind Your Cs and Qs – part one

Posted on May 3, 2010February 13, 2023 by Susan Uhlig

Today I’m talking about Query and Cover letters–including requests for guidelines and catalogs.

HOMEWORK TO DO BEFORE YOU WRITE THE QUERY OR COVER LETTER

(This information is aimed at those submitting directly to a book publisher or magazine themselves. If you’re using an agent, what’s in the query or cover letter is the same, but you will be researching the agent, not the houses or magazines. Note: agents generally do not handle magazine submissions.)
Have the most recent market lists (SCBWI puts one out annually for members) and market books ( Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market, Institute of Children’s Literature’s Book Markets for Children’s Writers and Magazine Markets for Children’s Writers – instituteforwriters.com/shop/) and make notes when you hear of editorial or submission policy changes.

See if submission or writer’s guidelines are available online. You may want to save them on your computer, print them out and/or bookmark the site. If not available online, write a letter to the publisher requesting guidelines. Keep it simple: Please send me your writer’s guidelines for AAA BOOKS. I have enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope for your convenience.

Write the date you received/downloaded on the guidelines themselves so you’ll know how current they are.
File guidelines so you can locate them when needed.
Perhaps, mark in your market book that you have this publisher’s guidelines.

Know what kinds of books or magazine pieces are appropriate for this publisher.

Editors really hate getting picture book submissions when they only publish novels, etc. More than that, you need to know the flavor of a publishing house. i.e. If they only do edgy material and yours is not, you’re wasting your time and theirs.
Go to the library and/or bookstore and look at what a specific publisher has published recently, which leads to the next point . . .
Catalogs! Check websites to see if a publisher has an online catalog. Pick paper catalogs up at conferences. Ask bookstores for any extra copies they have–last spring’s is better than nothing! Write a letter requesting a catalog, again keep it simple, but abide by what the market book says on what you send with it. i.e. Please send me your most recent catalog for BB BOOKS. I have enclosed $3.00 and a self-addressed stamped envelope for your convenience.
You may want to indicate in your market book that you have a publisher’s catalog.

Know something about the editor of the publishing house. Have you heard him or her speak? Read interviews written by them or their blog or followed them on twitter? Each of these will give you some insight. Is she into paranormal or sick of it? Does he like humor or serious fiction? At the very least researching an editor will help you get title and name correct.

Have your story written, critiqued, rewritten until ready to go. Never send something the moment you hit the end. If you belong to a critique group, great. If not, consider doing so. At the very least, let your material sit a while (weeks, months) so you can come back to it fresh. Read it aloud. Consider reading self-editing tips (in books or online). Rewrite. Let it sit again. Repeat as necessary.

QUERY & COVER LETTERS

Q: What’s the difference between a query letter and a cover letter?

A query is sent without the full manuscript. It’s a letter sent to the editor asking her if she would like to request a partial or full manuscript (or rest of manuscript) to read. What you send depends on the house’s or magazine’s writer’s guidelines.

A cover letter is an introduction letter sent on top of a manuscript, similar to a letter that goes with a résumé. The full manuscript is right there for the editor to read.

Why you’d choose one over the other . . .

The former is an easier way to reach more markets at once. Many novel publishers want a query with 1 or 3 chapters, or 5 -10 page – always send first chapter(s) or page(s). Nonfiction often requires a book proposal.

Picture books are usually sent with a cover letter. Many magazines do not want to be queried for fiction either. Some editors want to see the complete manuscript for a novel. In any of these cases, you’ll use a cover letter.

The wrinkle of electronic submissions . . . Queries and cover letters can be sent electronically, at least if that is something the magazine or house wants. Some guidelines will say “no attachments” and want all text pasted into the email. Others will accept attachments, but will tell you they must be in Word.
You must read the guidelines to see what an editor, house or magazine wants in their submissions.

Q: Okay, I’ve decided not to query. Should I always send a cover letter with my submission?

2 views . . .

I don’t. The reasons I do are:

1. The magazine requests manuscripts with a cover letter.
2. I have more information I want them to know (i.e. why I wrote the piece, or my submission fits a theme).
3. It might be pertinent for them to know my other writing experience and I don’t think a full résumé is needed.

What one editor says: “As an editor, I did find submissions that lacked a cover letter a bit rude, like a phone caller who doesn’t bother saying hello or identifying themselves before launching into the conversation.” – Jacqueline K. Ogburn former children’s book editor

Next entry, I’ll go into more details on the specifics of a query letter.