Class

Can You Sum That Up? How to Write a Synopsis for Queries

You finished your manuscript! The hard part is over… or is it?

It’s time to write a synopsis.

Synopses are a necessary evil in the world of publishing, used for pitching at conferences, querying agents, submitting for awards and residencies, marketing your book, and more. It should be easy—you know what your book is about—but some writers find writing these summaries more difficult than writing the manuscript itself. Synopses are also useful if you’re struggling with your manuscript and need clarity on what your story is about.

In this class, we’ll delve into the four types of synopses—loglines, two-paragraph, one-page, and marketing copy. Looking at summaries from published authors, we’ll break down what works and what doesn’t. Then we’ll start crafting our own. Feedback is optional, but available to those who would like it.

This class is suitable for anyone with a completed or close-to-completed prose manuscript.

Writers won’t have time to complete all these summaries, but they will leave with a solid logline and at least a draft of a two-paragraph summary. They will have the know-how to continue working on a one-page summary and marketing copy. They will leave with the confidence that they can boil their work down into whatever type of synopsis they need.

All classes listed on the Loft website take place in Central Time.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.