On Writing : Loglines for Books and Short Stories by Maurice Vaughan

Maurice Vaughan That's a compelling question. I think a 1 sentence description is always helpful, even if you're writing an instruction manual. I can't wait to see what other Stage 32ers have to say on this subject.

I think so too, Matthew Gross. Thanks! I'm looking forward to hearing what other Stage 32ers have to say too.

Yes... Screenplay loglines tend to emphasize the protagonist's goal and the central conflict, while book loglines might focus on the theme and emotional journey (to make you want to find out more by reading the book).

Ok, thanks, Debbie Seagle! I might get back into writing short stories, and your answer will come in handy. I think I only wrote a logline for one of my short stories, and it was a screenplay type logline.

I usually do a “Blurb” for novels. Longer than the 30 words for a tight Log-line yet shorter than a synopsis. The gist or base line for the story. When people scroll Amazon or Kindle list Etc or when pitching it must hook.

Thanks for the info, Debbie Croysdale!

Loglines are not so common for novels and short stories but I always suggest writers to write them for 2 reasons: improving promotion and testing the story. Sometimes after the first draft writers are a bit lost, and focusing on the core of the story, also jotting down a logline, helps them to understand what they really want to tell. Maurice Vaughan

Hi, Chiara Torrisi. Thanks for sharing! I test out a script idea with a logline and sometimes different loglines. How will writing a logline for a novel or short story improve promotion?

Hi, Elmare Hendricks. I like that. Creating a catchy phrase for each character. I might try that for a short story. Maybe even my scripts. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for the idea!

Maurice Vaughan, In traditional publishing, authors typically lean on summaries, synopses, and query letters rather than loglines. A logline is more rooted in the film, television, and screenwriting world, where the goal is to hook someone fast, often in one or two punchy sentences.

But that said, having a logline-style sentence for your book or short story can still be incredibly useful, especially if:

- You’re pitching your story for adaptation into a film or series

- You want a quick, compelling way to describe your story in meetings or pitches

- You’re writing a query letter, and need a sharp opening hook

- You’re turning your work into a press release, elevator pitch, or social media teaser

So while summaries are standard for authors, a logline is a great tool to add to your kit if you’re crossing into film or just want to sharpen your pitch.

Thanks for the breakdown, Ashley Renee Smith! I would make both (the usual things for a book/short story and a logline).

Maurice Vaughan Late to the party. And great answers already. But from my own experience (plus I live under a rock), I had never even heard the term logline until I was on here. And I've written several novels. So, to echo Ashley Renee Smith, and Debbie Croysdale, "summaries, synopses, and blurb" are more common phrases in the book and short story world.

Late to the party is fine, Kat Spencer. Thanks!

I don't think they do it anymore, but I remember when I was in like elementary/middle school you could find something like a logline for the book where the publishing information was in some books (I remember they did it for The Royal Diaries series and for Bridge to Terabithia). It was called a summary but it was a lot closer to a logline (the summary was typically on the back cover/jacket of a hardcover). But yeah, on a whole loglines for novels and short stories aren't really a thing, I know I just wrote all of mine out just to get some practice. It's really all about summaries and synopses.

I remember the summaries on the back covers/jackets, Banafsheh Esmailzadeh. I used to read them to see if I was interested in the books. Thanks for sharing!

No worries Maurice Vaughan, I loved reading the summaries on the backs, too. I meant that there was a kind of secret summary before the book actually started where all the publishing info was in addition to the actual summary. I don't think every publisher did it, though, but I do remember it was only a sentence long so it was the only time I ever saw a book logline in real life.