Professional Development – Writing a synopsis
3 November @ 10:00 - 11:30 GMT

Join Olivia Chapman as she leads this 90-minute workshop sharing practical tips on how to write a synopsis for submission to an agent, producer or for a competition.
In order to participate fully, you will need to have a complete story (in whatever form) which you can talk about from start to finish. Although you do not need to be published to attend, you do need to have a complete manuscript as the synopsis will include the full story you have written.
#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members
All #SoAatHome Professional Development sessions continue to be free for members. However, for non-members, the price is £35 including VAT.
Not a member? sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20% off for the first year – use code SOAATHOME20.
Programme
- Welcome, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager, SoA (3 mins)
- Presentation by Olivia Chapman (60 mins)
- Comfort break (5 mins)
- Q&A with audience 20 mins)
- Summary and closing comments (2 mins)
What will this session cover?
You’ll learn how to structure your synopsis, what to include and what to leave out, and how to pick out the most important parts of your story.
Who is this session for?
This workshop is intended for prose writers (both fiction and non-fiction) and scriptwriters.
Send us your questions
If you would like to send questions in advance, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Writing a synopsis’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.
#SoAatHome Fundraising Bookshop
Browse our virtual Bookshop.org store featuring books by authors and speakers taking part in the #SoAatHome. When you make a purchase using our affiliate links, a percentage will go to the Society of Authors’ Access Fund, giving authors support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats.
The Line-up
Liv Chapman
Liv Chapman is programmer and festival manager who’s worked with writers for over 20 years. She currently works with Hexham Book Festival, Word Up North in Bradford and Cheltenham Festivals, as well as the Society of Authors.
Website: https://livchapman.co.uk/
Need to know
Accessibility
- Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles
- If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org
Before the event
- Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
- If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk/spam email folder
- Please add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation and reminder emails
During the event
- This online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able to ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box
- This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen
- Attendees have the option to turn on the live transcript
- This event is 90 minutes
After the event
- The hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
- SoA Members and paid attendees of this event will be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel (password protected) or members can access via the SoA website.
Booking
SoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID, please email info@societyofauthors.org.
Non-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below, complete the registration form, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment.
For event or registration questions, email events@societyofauthors.org.
SoA Members – Free
Non-Members – £35
Register - SoA Member
Please use the booking form to register for this event.
Please email events@societyofauthors.org if you have any questions






