Writing a synopsis of your book can be one of the more challenging tasks for a writer. How do you compress all the many ideas, characters, and plot twists into a two-page (500-600-word) document? What's the difference between the summary in your query letter, the back cover copy, and a synopsis? In this discussion, Eileen Favorite will discuss how to write an effective synopsis for your book, with some clear ideas about do's and don'ts. We will discuss how to (1) describe your book's narrative arc, (2) identify the major plot points, themes, and conflicts, and (3) introduce the main characters and how they change over the course of the narrative. Three attendees will have their synopses shared with the group.
Eileen Favorite’s first novel, The Heroines (Scribner), has been translated into six languages. Her essays, poems, and stories have appeared in The Rumpus,Triquarterly, The Toast, The Chicago Reader, Diagram, and others. Her essay "On Aerial Views" received First Place in the Midwest Review's Great Midwest Writing Contest. She’s received fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council for poetry and for prose, and was on the 2019 New City Lit 50. She teaches writing and literature at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and at the University of Chicago’s Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies.
Eileen will accept five 500 to 600 word synopses for critique and to be included in the handout for discussion. Submissions will be accepted in the order of receipt. Please see manuscript guidelines on the OCWW website: ocww.info for guidelines and fees.
9-9:30 Registration and Socializing
9:30-12 Program
