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synopsis

Generate short, medium, or long manuscript synopses from chapters or drafts.

14|6|Updated Jan 15, 2026
Search Tags:#story#summary#manuscript#synopsis#query-letter#back-cover
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/howells/fiction --skill synopsis-howells
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: synopsis
Source: https://github.com/howells/fiction/tree/main/skills/synopsis
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/howells/fiction --skill synopsis-howells

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Writers often need clear, market-ready summaries of their manuscripts to pitch, query letters, or back-cover copy. This Skill automates the creation of synopses at multiple lengths while preserving narrative intent.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Length options: long (800-1200 words), medium (300-500 words), short (100-150 words).
  • Content aware: reads available chapters or drafts to produce a cohesive synopsis that captures premise, arc, and character journeys.
  • Output & tracking: saves generated synopses to synopses/synopsis-YYYY-MM-DD-{length}.md and updates progress in progress.md.
  • Use Case: prepares pitches for agents, query letters for submissions, and back-cover copy for marketing.

Quick Start

Generate a synopsis for the current manuscript in the desired length (short, medium, or long).

Frequently Asked Questions about synopsis

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I write a synopsis for my manuscript from existing chapters?▼

To generate a manuscript synopsis, provide your existing chapters or drafts and specify a length. The tool reads available content to produce a cohesive summary highlighting premise, arc, and character journeys.

What length options are available for a manuscript synopsis?▼

Manuscript synopses can be generated in three lengths: short (100-150 words), medium (300-500 words), and long (800-1200 words), making them suitable for back-cover copy, pitches, and query letters.

Can I use my drafts to generate back-cover copy for a story?▼

Yes, you can generate story summaries from your drafts. The short synopsis option (100-150 words) is specifically designed to create concise back-cover copy or pitch material from your manuscript.

Does a generated synopsis capture character arcs and premises automatically?▼

Yes, the generated synopsis is content-aware and automatically captures the narrative intent. It reads your available chapters to summarize the premise, character journeys, and overall story arc cohesively.

How are generated manuscript summaries saved and tracked?▼

Generated manuscript summaries are saved as markdown files in the synopses folder, named with the date and length. The tool also automatically updates progress tracking in your progress.md file.

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