Synopsis Writing

WRITING X 465.3E

Learn to craft a professional synopsis of your novel in progress.

What you can learn.

Learn the various uses of a well-written synopsis for writing and the publishing industry
Understand the common pitfalls and errors made in synopsis writing
Explore how writing the synopsis can help you plan and complete your novel
Develop a draft of your synopsis based on best practices

About this course:

In the field of publishing, the synopsis is used in all aspects of the novel’s production. The author uses it for planning. The author then uses it for pitching it to editors and agents. The agents then use it to pitch it to editors. The synopsis is then used by editors for the marketing and art departments. This is also the one piece of writing most authors struggle to compose. In this course, you will learn not only the purpose of the synopsis in greater detail, but also the structural elements of the detail. We will discuss how you can use your novel to plan and plot your novel. We will also cover what to include and not to include in the synopsis to make it most effective for marketing your novel to editors and agents. Through the use of lectures, readings and discussions, as well as opportunities to read sample synopses, to write and share pieces of their own synopsis, participants will leave the course with a fully drafted synopsis of their novel.