Write a Killer Logline: Captivate Agents, Readers, and More

Let’s talk about something that every writer dreads but secretly needs: the logline. I know, I know, summarizing your entire novel to one, maybe two sentences is like explaining life’s purpose at a family dinner without spiraling into existential chaos. But stick with me. Nailing a killer logline is your secret weapon, available whenever you need it. To pitch an agent, craft a book blurb, or drop a teaser on social media. A great logline roars. It hooks readers, leaving them thinking, I need to know more!

What Is a Logline?

A logline is one or two sentences summarizing the heart of your story. No fluff, no side plots—just the core. It whittles down your protagonist’s journey to who they are, what they want, what stands in their way, and why it matters. It’s the heart of your novel, distilled.

Why You Need a Killer Logline

• Query Letters: Agents skim through tons of queries. A compelling logline grabs their attention and makes them dive deeper into your submission.
• Book Blurbs: A logline is the foundation for your book’s blurb. It helps you entice readers from the back cover or online listing.
• Social Media: When promoting your book online, your logline is your go-to hook for posts, ads, and even your author bio.
• Elevator Pitch: You run into a potential agent or reader in an elevator. You’ve got 30 seconds. Time to pitch your book. Your logline is the perfect tool for this scenario.

How to Write a Killer Logline

1. Start with Your Protagonist: Introduce your main character in a way that highlights one defining trait/role.

• Example 1: “A timid accountant…”
• Example 2: “A disillusioned soldier…”
• Example 3: “A heartbroken wedding planner…”
• Example 4: “A determined young suffragette in 1912 London…”

2. Define the Goal: What does your protagonist want or need? This is their driving force throughout the story.

• Example 1: “…must clear his name after being framed for a crime…”
• Example 2: “…seeks revenge on the enemy commander who betrayed him…”
• Example 3: “…vows never to love again but is forced to plan the wedding of the man who broke her heart…”
• Example 4: “…fights to secure women’s right to vote while secretly aiding an underground movement…”

3. Highlight the Conflict: What stands in their way? Conflict equals drama, and it should be central for a killer logline.

• Example 1: “…but faces a ruthless hitman who wants him silenced.”
• Example 2: “…but is hunted by his own government for desertion.”
• Example 3: “…and finds herself falling for him all over again, despite their painful past.”
• Example 4: “…while evading a powerful politician who seeks to crush the suffrage movement and silence her forever.”

4. Raise the Stakes: Why should we care? What’s on the line if your protagonist fails?

• Example 1: “…as he races to uncover the real culprit before time runs out.”
• Example 2: “…as he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to destroy his homeland.”
• Example 3: “…while risking her career, reputation, and the chance to finally move on with her life.”
• Example 4: “…as she must decide between her safety and her mission, knowing that failure could set back the cause for generations.”

5. Keep it Concise: A killer logline should be quick to read yet packed with intrigue. Avoid unnecessary details.

• Example for fantasy novel: A young wizard discovers his true heritage and must defeat a dark lord to save the magical world.
• Example for dystopian thriller: In a dystopian future, a rebellious teenager fights against a tyrannical government in a televised battle to the death.
• Example for thriller: An ambitious journalist uncovers a deadly secret, risking everything to expose a powerful corporation’s dangerous cover-up.
• Example for romance/drama: A grieving widow embarks on a cross-country journey to fulfill her late husband’s final wish, discovering healing and new love along the way.
• Example for historical novel: In 18th-century Japan, a female samurai seeks vengeance for her father’s murder, while navigating the deadly politics of a male-dominated world.

Tips for Polishing Your Killer Logline

• Test it out: Share your logline with a friend, writing group, anyone who’ll listen. If they start asking questions, you’re onto something. If they just nod politely, time to tweak it.
• Revise, tweak, repeat: Don’t stress if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Play around with the wording, trim the fluff, and keep refining until every word pulls its weight. Your goal? Short, sharp, and unforgettable.
• Stay true to your story: Your logline should feel like your book, not something completely different. If it doesn’t capture the tone, stakes, and heart of your story, take a step back and tweak it until it does.

Your Turn

Give your logline a try! Don’t worry about making it perfect right away, just focus on capturing the core of your story in a sentence or two. The more you practice, the easier it gets. And if you found this article helpful, please share it with your fellow writers and follow me for more tips, inspiration, and writerly motivation. Let’s keep those stories roaring!