Fresh Start September – Synopsis Discussion
Hey Guys!
Today on Fresh Start September we have a (hopefully) very interactive and interesting discussion for you all about synopses.
The synopsis of a book is one of the most important things when it comes to marketing a book. After the cover is complete with eye-catching and appealing images, the potential buyer turns the book over and reads the synopsis and finally decides if they want the book.
Some people will pick up a book without reading the back, if it’s an author we know we love then sometimes it doesn’t matter or if it has been recommended it may just be pulled from the shelves and bought, but there is no denying that a powerful synopsis is the best way to get us to buy (or borrow) a particular book.
So this really brings me to wonder, what makes a synopsis so powerful? Is it merely that the story is that great or is it the way the words are placed together that pulls us in?
What do you think?
There are also many different ways of writing a synopsis. Some detail a lot of things that will occur in the book, others will detail scenarios with climatic language while others may only hint at what is to come.
My question to you then is simple,
What type of synopses do you prefer? Why?
Some synopses stick in our minds more than others as they are more powerful or are attributed to an amazing book.
Do you have a favourite synopsis you want to share?
Finally, I am extremely curious by this because I don’t think I have personally done it, but,
Have you ever read a book when the synopsis didn’t grab you?
Please respond to these questions in the comment section! I’d love to hear your answers and feel free to interact with each other too! Let’s make this a really brilliant discussion, yes?
Faye
6 Comments
Daphne
I think synopses are great because it gets me excited for a book. It’s like excitement over watching a trailer for a movie, it’s a little peek into the window of a book, without committing yourself to the whole thing. It’s a free taster, if you will!
I like the ones that just hint at things to come, because I do find sometimes the synopsis spoils the book and I love reading with an air of mystery, so that anything can happen at any time!
Synopsis that had me from hello: the original The Book Thief one, which I can’t seem to find. Just short, succinct, gives an air of mystery and promises of lots of great story. It’s one of my favourite books of all time, so I was sold!
And finally, I do read a lot of books where the synopsis didn’t grab me, especially if it’s an author I’m familiar with.
Clover
I can’t tell you what I don’t like are synopses that give away too much. The ones that tell you a major plot point that isn’t revealed until 200 pages in .. :(
Amanda @ Letters Inside Out
I think a good synopsis is hard to come by…it needs to grab and give just enough, but leave you wanting more. A lot either spoil too much or don’t give enough away.
I have read books in which I didn’t like the synopsis. Either because the concept sounded just intriguing enough that I wanted to give it a try or because it was recommended to me.
Hollie
I always read the synopsis before I buy/borrow a book, as I like to know what kind of book I’m letting myself in for! A synopsis for me has to have just enough information for me to want to read the rest of the book to find out more. I hate synopsis’ that either ruin the entire book for you or have nothing to do with the book itself.
Melissa
Synopses are what usually draw me to a book. (Don’t get me wrong, I like pretty covers too) I like the synopses that hint at what is going to come, without giving too much away, a little bit of mystery is always a good thing. I’ve definitely read some books whose synopsis I didn’t necessarily feel a pull to. Some of them were great, some of them, not so much. It’s really hard to summarize a book in just a few hundred words, so I definitely understand that, but I think it can be a make or break selling point for a book so it’s important for authors to perfect their synopsis as much as possible.
~Jennifer~
Heya! I’m a brand new follower, #425! :D Nice to meet you!
I don’t like a synopsis that basically feels like I’m reading a summary of the entire book. I like a synopsis to be short, to the point, and interesting enough to pull me in without giving anything away. :)