If I had to pin down a practical length, I usually aim for a handful of options depending on who will read it and why. For a quick back-cover
blurb or a listing on a retailer page, 100–150 words is my sweet spot: enough room to set up the central conflict, hint at the emotional pull, and give a teaser of the stakes without spoiling the ending. For a logline or hook—think what you'd put at the top of a query email or a social post—25–40 words can do the trick if it's punchy.
When someone's asking about a fuller synopsis for editors or blurbers, I move into the 500–800 word
range. That lets me
outline the major beats: meet-cute, complication, midpoint shift, crisis, and resolution, while still keeping the tone concise. If a publisher or agent asks for a full synopsis, then 1–2 pages (about 800–1,200 words) is typical, because they often want to see character arcs and the full ending. For a novel like 'Sweetheart' I’d respect the same scale—short blurb for readers, longer synopsis for industry folks.
Personally, I prefer writing the short version first; it forces me to find the emotional core. Then I expand into a longer synopsis if needed. That approach keeps the heart of the story clear and saves me from rambling—works every time, in my experience.