Synopsis - if I ask for it, send it. Period.

A little tip.

I don't care HOW suspenseful you think the story is/should be, if an agency requests a synopsis then send one.

I requested the first few chapters and a 3-5 page synopsis. I received the first few chapters and no synopsis. I wrote back and reminded him to send the 3-5 page synopsis.

This is the response I got (more or less): The prologue should serve as a synopsis and must be read with as little information as possible. We need to keep suspense. If you read it you'll see what I mean.

Seriously?

First off, a synopsis is requested so we know how the story ends. This is important, because it shows us three things: you know how the story will end; you have a grip on the outline and plot of your own story; and we know whether or not the ending makes sense with how the rest of the story unfolds. I really don't want to sift through 500+ pages of words if you don't even know how your own story is going to unfold.

Bottom line: if we ask for it, there's a reason.