One agent i was reading about lately hates it when authors do this - says it should really only be done for scripts.

I think it looks good though.

What do you all think?

x

I think it's an import from scriptwriting, too - maybe because if a reader's thinking about casting they need to have an extra-definite idea of what the project would involve? I don't see the point for fiction, unless it's very high-concept (which is a concept I can't now think about without tagging on 'low-execution...)

That said, all the book trade people I've dealt with capitalise the whole title of the books they're talking about, presumably from the days when you couldn't do italics. Maybe that's the origin.

Emma

Hmm, maybe i should try italics. I've always liked the look of a synopsis where the names stand out.

Thanks. I'll fiddle

x

Ooh no I wouldn't italicise. I think caps the first time they're mentioned is ok, if you have to, but personally I'd prefer it just typed normally. I don't know, there's something a bit annoying about putting them all in caps or whatever, it kind of makes me feel like the writer is assuming I won't be able to read it read that these are character names for myself and so is flagging it up with a big red signpost.

Fair point, Jess. I know this agent found it very irritating.

x

flagging it up with a big red signpost.

Yes, I think that must be what I was thinking of when it occurred to me to wonder if it came about from script-readers thinking about casting.

Besides, if you've got so many names in the synopsis that they need shouting out, maybe the better option would be to cut some of them. Again, it's not like casting: they need to know how many actors are involved, but with a novel it's only about explaining the big shape of the plot, and you can often leave out a lot of the 'cast', and the synopsis is the better for it.

Ooh no I wouldn't italicise. I think caps the first time they're mentioned is ok, if you have to, but personally I'd prefer it just typed normally

.

I prefer caps the first time a character is mentioned too, simply for ease of reference, but it is a personal preference or pet hate of agents.
I don't think it would mean automatic dismissal of a submission if caps are used in this way.
I may have suggested it in the past on the Synopsis & Outline group, but these days it's not something I comment on if a writer decides to use it (so long as they don't capitalise everything).



- NaomiM

<Added>

The important thing is to ALWAYS check an agent's submission criteria before submitting - especially if they have a blog - so you can check for their pet hates and tailor your submission accordingly.

<Added>

Other pet hates include:
Passive voice
First person - see trixie's post: http://www.writewords.org.uk/forum/48_262723.asp
Present tense
Confetti

As someone who has done scriptwriting in the past, I can say that it is used in scripts.

Confetti?

?

Sarah

I mean - I don't like tapioca but you know - chacun a son gout?

Confetti?

It's down the right hand side under glitter:
http://editorialanonymous.blogspot.com/

I would just type it normally.

Ah - now I understand

I was thinking this agent had an obscure aversion to any mention of confetti in the text but yes - I can see that asking the hopeful to refrain from dousing their submissions in glitter and confetti is reasonable - I suppose

Sarah

Yes, it is used in scripts, but that's totally different. I wouldn't reject someone's book because they'd done it, but I would hazard a guess that more people than not will find it faintly irritating or worse, and I also just don't really see the point. In a synopsis.

I seem to recall it being mentioned a few months ago because it was one agent's personal preference.

Ach, these agents, why can't they be consistent?

Aw, shame, but the consensus seems to be not.

Thanks guys.

x