{"product_id":"how-to-write-a-synopsis-that-reflects-the-book-you-actually-wrote","title":"How to Write a Synopsis That Reflects the Book You Actually Wrote","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you’re preparing to query literary agents, your book synopsis is one of the key components to your submission package but it’s also one of the most challenging. Writers are told to summarize their books but are rarely taught what that means. Often what they send ends up sounding like a different story entirely. It’s either too vague, too voicey, or too focused on the wrong plot beats.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is that many manuscripts get passed over because the synopsis doesn’t clearly show cause and effect, character motivation, an escalation of stakes, and strong narrative control.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn this 90-minute OnDemand webinar, literary agent Jessica Berg teaches you how to write a synopsis that aligns with the manuscript you’ve written. Together, we’ll break down how to translate a full novel into a concise, professional synopsis that preserves the core of your story and helps you get it onto the page. You’ll leave with a repeatable framework you can use for any novel as well as a clear understanding of what industry professionals are evaluating when they’re reading synopses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat You'll Learn:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat a synopsis is \u003cem\u003ereally\u003c\/em\u003e meant to do in the publishing process\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to identify your story’s true core (instead of summarizing every subplot)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe best ways to structure a synopsis around cause-and-effect\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to show character arcs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe most common synopsis mistakes that trigger passes and how to fix them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to adapt your synopsis by length (1-page, 2-page, and longer requested versions)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow to revise your synopsis so it reads like a coherent story, not a list of events\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Should Watch:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters preparing to query agents or submit to small press publishers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters who’ve been asked for a synopsis and aren’t sure how to build one\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters whose synopsis feels flat, generic, or disconnected from the manuscript\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters who struggle to choose what to include (and what to cut)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters who want to improve clarity around plot, stakes, and character arc\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters who have received passes and suspect package misalignment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters who want to sound professional and publishing-ready in submission materials\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters who need a reliable process for drafting and revising future synopses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters who want a stronger understanding of how agents evaluate story summaries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriters who want their synopsis to reflect the power of the book on the page\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"block-1627330410672\" class=\"block-type--text\n  text-left\n  col-8\n  \n  \n  \n     animated\" data-reveal-event=\"\" data-reveal-offset=\"\" data-reveal-units=\"seconds\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"block\n    box-shadow-none\" data-animated=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJessica Berg is agency director and founder of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.rosecliffliterary.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRosecliff Literary\u003c\/a\u003e. She works closely with authors across fiction and nonfiction genres and is known for practical, transparent guidance on querying, positioning, and submission strategy. Jessica teaches writers internationally through workshops, intensives, and live training programs. Her approach is direct, encouraging, and focused on helping writers present their work with clarity and confidence in a competitive market. Find out more about her process at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.jessicaberg.me\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" title=\"jessicaberg.me\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ejessicaberg.me \u003c\/a\u003eand more about Rosecliff Literary \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.rosecliffliterary.com\/\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Writer's Digest Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67515675705585,"sku":"WDSHTWASTRTB","price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0107\/4046\/5730\/files\/WDU-2026-HowToWriteASynopsisThatReflectsTheBookYouActuallyWrote-nodate.jpg?v=1794597422","url":"https:\/\/writersdigestshop.com\/products\/how-to-write-a-synopsis-that-reflects-the-book-you-actually-wrote","provider":"Writer's Digest Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}