What is the difference between a query and a proposal? A query is a letter that introduces yourself to the editor, provides information about your writing history and published works, gives a brief synopsis of your story: emphasizing the lesson, motivation and major conflicts. It will also include a statement why you think the novel fits the editor’s line, and a statement whether or not the manuscript is complete
A proposal is a cover letter including a one sentence story summary, your writing background and published work, why you think this editor would be interested in your story, and a statement whether or not the manuscript is complete and a date when you expect it to be complete. You will include a complete 5 - 10 page synopsis of the story stressing the main characters’ goals, motivation and conflict. Avoid detailed information about secondary characters and do not use dialogue in your synopsis. Cut out all unnecessary words and information not needed by the editor to understand the story. Include three chapters. I use the first three.
What information should be included in a cover letter? A cover letter has three purposes: to introduce yourself (background, education, training or conferences attended, published or not), to hook the editor on your storyline, and to show what makes your book/story/article special (how it will appeal or meet the need of readers). The editor will find it helpful if you include the length of the manuscript and whether or not it is complete and if not, when you expect it to be completed. Indicate the story’s genre: such as: romance, romantic suspense, historical romance, paranormal, romantic comedy, chick-lit, women’s fiction. If you plan to submit simultaneously (sending out the same manuscript to more than one publishing house or agent), you have the responsibility to tell the editor or agent of this. Some publishing houses do not accept simultaneous submissions, so do your homework. The end of the letter should thank the editor or agent for their time and consideration. You can also tell the person you look forward to hearing from them. Writer Market Guides often have samples of query and cover letters. Your library probably has a copy.
How do you format your manuscripts? I format my novels to generate a 250 word page count even though one house asks for a computer generated count. I use WordPerfect and set my margins for 1.37" right and left and .5" at the top which allows for a header which includes the book title, author name and to the far right, the page number. I go down two line spaces from the header before I begin the manuscript text. Any serif 12 point font may be used. Most authors, I believe, use Times New Roman or Courier New (Dark, if available). I often bold my Courier New since Dark isn’t available on my computer. This gives a crisp dark font which is easy to read, along with wide margins. I select line spacing so that I obtain 25 lines per page, and I turn off widows and orphans to keep the lines consistent. The cover page includes author information: name, address, telephone, email address, rights, and word count. In the center, I include the book title, author’s name below, and my Bible verse selection(s) for the story. I begin Chapter One on page 2 of the manuscript, though I select the option to set the value as page 1.
What makes a good, saleable synopsis? Here's how I write a synopsis. I format it like a regular manuscript with headings and double spacing, but no cover page. I begin with the novel title, author, Bible verse that guides the story if it's an inspirational, and I write a short blurb that summarizes the story and includes a hook, the type you find on the back of a book cover. For example after a brief two or three lines of summary, end with: Will H and H face their flaws and find true love? Try to capture the tone of your story in the blurb (mystery, comedy, etc)
Next I write a one paragraph character sketch on the heroine and one on the hero. In this I give age and background - or backstory. This information sets up the situations in their lives that motivates them, that forms their characters, and that defines their goals. This background is the basis on which most of the conflicts will be created.
The final step is the story. Don't try to cover ever story event or scene. Only show the opening scene—how they meet—then how their relationship progresses by providing plot points that demonstrate conflicts, motivation, and how they change and grow. Make sure you also show the romance as you go, beginning as curiosity, interest, attraction, and then falling in love. Leave out as many secondary characters as possible - include only those that are necessary for telling the main plot and avoid calling them by name if possible. For example: the hero's mother, her sister, the neighbor, etc. That way your synopsis focuses on the two main characters. Avoid including sub-plots unless they are vital to the hero and heroine's story.
Finally make sure you tie all loose ends together. Don't leave the editor dangling with a mystery or leave them wondering how the story is resolved. Cover all the important bases to show that you can bring the story to a satisfying conclusion.
Once the synopsis is written, go through it again and ask yourself if this fact, sentence, or phrase is important. Things like - the next morning, two days later, wearing a dark suit, etc. are not important to a synopsis. Details are not important. What the editor is looking for is GMC—goals, motivation, and conflict - then the resolution. Here is a sample synopsis from my novel SECRETS OF THE HEART.
How do you write a one-page synopsis? When creating a one page synopsis, you must keep it tight and go for only the core of the story including the major goals, motivation, and conflict. If you’ve already written a longer synopsis, here’s what you can do. Cut most of the specific activities in the story. You don't need to tell the time of day, month, weather, or where they are when the conflict occurs (unless it's important to the outcome). Cut all subplots except a statement such as: her best friend's problems complicate her struggle. No clothing descriptions or physical descriptions are needed.
Write your synopsis as tight as you can. Then go back through and cut every extraneous word that isn't absolutely necessary. Even words like Three weeks later, soon, one evening, after dinner, etc. Ask yourself with each phrase - - is this something the editor must know. You're going for the bare bones of your story with some heart (emotion).
Remember an editor wants to know only the gist of the plot, but is most interested in what the hero and heroine are trying to accomplish, what are their needs and goals, why are these needs and goals important, and what conflicts arise because of their differences. Make sure the faith elements and romance are in the story. Romance can be shown by saying: As time passes, their love blossoms or His first kiss assured her of her feelings. Single statements are enough in a one page synopsis.
Do no leave out important elements. The editor wants no surprises. In a romance, don’t say their problems are solved and they live happily ever after. The editor wants to know how the problems are solved. That’s part of the resolved conflict. In a romantic suspense, don’t say: The mystery is solved and the criminals go to jail. The editor needs to see how you solve a crime.
Though double spacing a manuscript or synopsis is always the preferred method, sometimes a publisher requiring a one page synopsis will accept it single spaced. Check their guidelines. If single spacing is the preferred method, you could even stretch the margins a little, but don’t overdue the formatting. Try to keep it as concise and complete as you can. Here is a one page synopsis sample from my novel Loving Hearts.