Ok, so I'm developing some strange fixation with trying to write the perfect synopsis and have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing.

For every page or blog you read there will be countless things that the synopsis has to have, that it must contain, and untold numbers of things to avoid like your life depended on it. So I'm going to take consolation in the fact that my basic synopsis does enough to tell you what happens and that's all I need.

From what I'm gathering through the all the things I've read is that agents only tend to look at the synopsis if the writing sample catches their attention, though I'm quite happy for someone to tell me I'm being a complete amateurish fool...

Anyone?

No, I'd agree with you there, Geoff.
The perfect synopsis assumes one has written the all singing, all dancing, everyman book, suitable for ages 0-101. Personally I think the best one can hope for is it piques ones interest about the novel.

Unfortunately, I think you have to tailor your synopsis as you would tailor your submission. Some want a single page gist, some an intricate chapter breakdown and anything in between.

The advice I’ve had is to scour the agent/publisher website or make contact and ask to find out exactly what kind of synopsis they require.

Cheers, Grinder

Damned if I do and damned if I don't it seems.

I take your point though Grinder and will tinker with it a little for each sub I think.

I don't think it's worth getting too stressed about this.
I have never yet read a synopsis that did the actual book justice and am damn sure agents know that.
Just get the bare facts of the book down in the present tense - don't worry about getting every deatil in there - it can't be done.
HB x

I don't think it's worth getting too stressed about this

Indeed, this is something I should have stressed in my previous post.

Most of the agents and publishers I’ve talked to, read the chapters first and only look at the synopsis after they’re convinced themselves that they like what you write and how you write it. After you’re over this milestone, the synopsis is a small step.

Most of them use it just to prove to themselves that you might have written the whole book and have an idea what the bigger story might be. In many cases the synopsis is almost superfluous to their decision and is just a reality check.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Grinder

Hey Geoff -
I think what everyone's said is absolutely true – your sample chapters are the most important thing in your submission. If it's any comfort, having written and rewritten a synopsis bearing everyone's do's and don'ts in mind over and over again, I ended up writing one that broke all the rules, in a 'chatty' style as though from my narrator's point of view. When an interested agent got back to me she told me the synopsis was all wrong! – agents and editors needed a simple, brief-as-possible outline of what happens. So I wrote a 'proper' one, submitted the whole novel (which was at that stage still far from publishable, apparently!) and she still gave me a chance to do rewrites and eventually took me on - all despite my laughable synopsis!
I'm sure the synopsis isn't the deal breaker – it's definitely your writing style and idea that'll do the wooing! Hope this helps – very good luck to you! Best wishes, Jane.