“Writing a Plot Synopsis Without Losing Your Mind” with Amy Collins
September 14, 2024 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
$59.00 – $119.00
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This Event is for Members only.
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$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
This class recording is now only available for purchase by our Members.
The class recording will be made available to class registrants until January 31, 2025.
Are you struggling to write a plot synopsis to include in your agent queries?
A plot synopsis is, simply, “the story of your book,” and a good plot synopsis can often make or break a submission or query. But nothing about writing a synopsis feels simple. In this three hour class, you will learn a quick and effective way to map out and write your plot synopsis. After years of struggling with writing synopses for her clients, literary agent Amy Collins came up with this system and has been teaching it to authors who struggle with wrestling their entire plot lines into a few pages.
This easy step-by-step class will help you polish your existing synopsis or help you write one from scratch. You’ll be lead through a complete synopsis writing session using a series of questions designed to create an outline and lead to a finished document. Using these questions, you’ll write and polish your synopsis all while availing yourself of an experienced literary agent’s expertise. This system has been successfully practiced by hundreds of successfully published authors.
During this class, you will:
- Learn the easy steps to framing a synopsis.
- Go through a number of key questions to ask when starting a synopsis.
- Learn what agents and editors are looking for in a plot synopsis.
- Determine the best way to synopsize your work – by plot line or by chapter.
- Learn EXACTLY how to map and write your synopsis out.
- Have access to an experienced literary agent to answer your questions as you write and polish your synopsis.
TAKE THIS CLASS IF:
- You’re getting ready to query agents or submit to independent publishers and want to understand what goes into a synopsis.
- You want to learn strategies for writing effective synopses.
- You’ve struggled with writing a synopsis that feels tight and polished.
- You’ve ever wanted to throw your computer against the wall while writing a synopsis.
- You want instant answers to your questions on your synopsis.
CONTINUING YOUR WRITING JOURNEY
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The WLT is committed to making our online classes accessible to all writers including writers who do not have the financial means to pay for programming. Five (5) seats in this class have been set aside for scholarship recipients to attend free of charge. Please fill out this application no later than 2 days prior to the class to be considered for one of the scholarship seats. We do not ask for any corroborating documents; we only ask that you help us understand your situation. If you are selected for one of the available seats you will be notified via email (from wlt@writersleague.org) no later than 24 hours before the start of the class. Please note, each writer is limited to no more than four (4) total scholarship seats per catalog season.
Instructor
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Amy Collins, Agent with Talcott Notch Literary Services, has over 30 years’ experience matching books with readers. As a former book buyer, publisher, and sales director for one of the largest non-fiction publishers in the US, Amy has been focused on market and sales potential for author and brings that skill to her role as an advocate for her clients. As an agent, she represents many authors who have signed deals with major publishers for Cookbooks, Romance, Pop Culture, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, and Thrillers.
She is a member of Mensa, a featured expert for Writers Digest Magazine, and a trusted teacher at conferences world-wide. She has taught and spoken at many of the publishing industry’s top festivals and conferences including Scottish Writers Association Conference, Pacific Northwest Conference, London BookFair, Publishers Weekly BookCon, Writers Digest and many others.
Amy is the author of several non-fiction books ranging from self-help, It’s The Little Things (Simon & Schuster/Adams Media), to books on Publishing and working toward becoming a successful author. She is currently traveling the country in a solar powered bus with her two dogs meeting with editors and authors and can be found on social media everywhere at @askamycollins and online at www.amysadvice.com.
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Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.