How To Write A Synopsis And Covering Email

Two-session online workshop, 1 - 1.5 hours per session, live teaching, via Zoom.

The length of the sessions varies depending on the session topic and the questions and discussions that arise. Sessions will be a minimum of one hour.

Only ten places available on this workshop.

Starting 7PM Tuesday 19th November 2024 and finishing in on 26th November 2024

Times shown: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

If you are interested in future dates for this workshop please email: [email protected]

Workshop fee: £49.99

(meeting invite will be sent out a couple of days prior to the workshop)
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Workshop Leader

Esther Chilton

Since joining The Writers Bureau as a student in 1999, and following their advice, Esther hasn’t looked back. As well as winning several writing competitions herself, she was head judge of Writers’ Forum magazine’s monthly short story competition. Over the years, Esther has regularly had articles and short stories published in a variety of newspapers and magazines in the UK and abroad. She has published a range of writing workbooks, children’s books and short story collections.

Esther became a tutor for The Writers Bureau in 2009 and when they closed in July 2026, she knew she wasn’t ready for it to go. Fortunately, they let her continue with the website and new courses so she can support students on their writing journey.

Workshop Outline

Week one: The synopsis. So, you’ve written a novel and now you’re ready to send it out to agents/publishers. That means it’s time to write a synopsis and covering email. Or perhaps your novel is almost there and you’re thinking ahead.

Writing a synopsis isn’t easy. How do you cram the essence of your whole book into just a few words and still make it seem enticing to read? If you don’t know where to start and dread writing one, you’re not alone. Many authors dislike having to produce them. In this course, we’ll take the fear of writing one away and focus on how to structure your synopsis, everything you need to include and how you can make it stand out and catch a publisher or agent’s eye.

Week two: The covering email. The synopsis is often seen as the most important part of the book proposal. But the covering email is the first thing the publisher or agent sees so it needs to be good, otherwise they might not even get to your synopsis before moving on to another submission. In the second session, we’ll look at how you can ensure yours captivates their attention and makes them keen to read your synopsis.



This workshop is run by Budding Writers in partnership with The Writers Bureau.
Sign-up for £49.99

By taking part in this workshop you will:

  • meet other writers

  • have time to ask questions as there are only ten participants per group

  • learn how to structure your synopsis to include everything you need to

  • find out how to gain the attention of the agent or publisher with your covering email

  • gain increased confidence to approach agents and publishers.

Starting Tuesday 19th November 2024 at 7.00PM

Workshop fee: £49.99

  • Gain confidence to approach agents and publishers.

  • Learn what to include in your synopsis.

  • Notes emailed to you after each session.

  • A maximum of ten people.