Course Syllabus
This four-lesson self-paced class is meant for writers seeking traditional publication who would like to learn more about writing query letters, synopses, and other materials demanded by the publication process. There is no instructor feedback.
Course Goals
In this class, you’ll learn how to write:
- queries and synopses for sending to literary
- elevator pitches for conference and online pitch sessions and to talk about your book to potential readers
- blurbs—those brief book descriptions that go on the back of the book or in the online book listing
- pull quotes—quotes from the book that authors use to help promote the work on social media
- author bios, both brief bylines for use in marketing/promotion and longer “about the author” bios that go in a press kit or on a website
The course materials discuss the purpose of each of these items, what those reading/reviewing them are looking for, and how writers can fine-tune their work to make it as compelling as possible.
Course Requirements
No textbook is required for this class. You will find all needed materials in the Assignments section of the classroom.
Each lesson includes an exercise you can use to test your understanding of the course material. There is no instructor feedback in this class but you will have access to answer keys that will help you review your work.
Course Outline
Read the “Using a Query Letter to Identify Developmental Problems” document at any time. This is bonus information that will help you learn why an author may be struggling to get attention for a manuscript (without having to read the entire manuscript).
If you’re not familiar with traditional book publishing, read the document called “Traditional Book Publishing Basics” as well.
Lesson 1: Writing query letters. Read the Lesson 1 document and do the exercise, then review the answer key to check your work.
Lesson 2: Writing synopses. Read the Lesson 2 document and do the exercise, then review the answer key to check your work.
Lesson 3: Writing pitches, blurbs, and pull quotes. Read the Lesson 3 document and do the exercise, then review the answer key to check your work.
Lesson 4: Writing author bios. Read the Lesson 4 document and do the exercise, then review the answer key to check your work.
