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Writewords Forums » Getting Published » should synopses be single-spaced?
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  should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 18:35 on 06 August 2008
 

Just saw a comment on someone's work where it was stressed that one should not submit a double-spaced synopsis to agents. Is this right? (If it is, I've committed another dum-dum crime!
I thought they preferred double-spaced. Any thoughts?
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  EmmaD at 18:43 on 06 August 2008
 

Single-spaced. The double-spaced thing is based on the idea that they might be writing on the MS, whereas they're only reading the synopsis. But it's not a hanging matter, let alone (much worse!) a deal-breaker.

Emma
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  NMott at 19:15 on 06 August 2008
 

As Emma says, Single spaced synopsis and covering letter. Double spaced MS - so they have room to write comments if they wish.


- NaomiM
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 19:19 on 06 August 2008
 

Thanks, folks. Bother. Oh well, at least I know for the next batch. I entered a novel competition which stressed a double-spaced synopsis and must have just continued in that mode.
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  geoffmorris at 19:54 on 06 August 2008
 

I read one article the other day that stressed that you needed to make it double spaced and another umpteen that stressed it shouldn't be. I wouldn't worry about it too much though, take I leaf out of my book, I never worry about anything...
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 20:09 on 06 August 2008
 

Isn't it all crazy? Why can't there be a standard method of approaching agents, so everyone knows where they are?
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  Dee at 21:10 on 06 August 2008
 

Don't worry about it, Susie. There are no 'rules' about it, and it won't affect their decision.

Good luck,

Dee
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 21:31 on 06 August 2008
 

Thanks, Dee!
I think I'm getting too hung up on all this.
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  Dee at 21:40 on 06 August 2008
 

We all do



  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 21:45 on 06 August 2008
 

Where are you at with your rewrite?
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  Dee at 07:18 on 07 August 2008
 

Waiting for more suggestions from my agent. She thinks I haven’t quite hit the right note yet, and she’s passed it to one of her readers for comments. Eek!

Dee
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  susieangela at 08:52 on 07 August 2008
 

Oooh, fingers crossed! Hope the reader likes it.
Susiex
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  EmmaD at 09:26 on 07 August 2008
 

Fingers crossed for the reader's response, Dee, though that basically sounds like progress (progress in the book trade never being more than snail-like...)

And Susie, yes, it won't make a ha'porth of difference to what they think of it.

Emma
  Re: should synopses be single-spaced?  Dee at 07:36 on 08 August 2008
 

Thanks, Susie and Emma!

Yes, it’s progress. But snail-pace? The reader’s gone on holiday