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When an agent asks, “What’s your book about?” will your brief description (your logline) capture their interest? Will they ask for more? Will they see you as a skilled professional or an eager newbie who isn’t quite sure what they are doing?

Even the most skilled authors find distilling their book down to a compelling pitch difficult to do, not because they don’t know what their book is about, but because they do. In fact, they know it so well they don’t want to leave anything out. This results in more of a summary than juicy marketing copy designed to hook and interest an agent or a publisher.

In this online class, you’ll learn how to get to very heart of your project, and make certain that the story you’re working on is compelling and clear. Even the most complicated or quiet of tales can be pitched in such a way that people will sit up and take notice.

You’ll learn how to choose the words that best describe your story, how to arrange them in a persuasive way, and garner the interest of an agent and editor. We will examine the most common mistakes writers make talking about their work, how to avoid them, and look at several examples that work well, along with some that don’t.

By the end of this session, you will have the tools to diagnose your story, write your logline and feel confident that you’ve done all you can do to make the sale.

In this class, you will learn:

• The nuts and bolts of what makes a compelling story
• How a logline helps to troubleshoot your story
• How a logline works as marketing tool
• What makes a compelling logline work and what makes them fail
• How to evaluate your logline and determine its effectiveness
• How to avoid—and address—the most common pitfalls
• How to write your logline using a mix of tried and true analysis and methods that will stay with you long after the class is finished

Who should take this class

• Beginning novelists and memoirists, especially those with little or no experience pitching
• Writers who struggle with how summarize their work with a strong hook
• Writers who want to understand how writing a logline can help them finish a manuscript
• Writers who need clarity on commercial publishing expectations and standards

This class isn’t suited for

• Writers of short-form work (short stories, articles, essays, poems)
• Writers of prescriptive nonfiction—or any nonfiction that’s not story driven or character driven
• Children’s picture book writers
• Well-established authors who have an agent or publisher (unless you’ve always been confused by loglines and want to improve your skills in this area)

What’s included in all of Jane’s classes

How do I attend the live class?

This class uses Zoom webinar technology (see system requirements). You will join through your Internet-connected computer or mobile device. When you register, you will receive information via email on how to join the class. If you don’t receive it within 1 hour of registering, please contact us.

• When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023
• Time: 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern / 10:00 a.m. Pacific
• Fee: $25

The webinar is broadcast via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer or mobile device speakers. The visual presentation is displayed directly from the presenter’s computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions read and answered by the presenter for the entire class to hear.

Closed captions are provided during the live class. We use Zoom’s automated closed caption service (powered by Otter), which is about 80%+ accurate. We also use Otter AI to generate an unedited transcript, provided with the recording.

All students receive the following

• Access to the live class. After roughly 60-75 minutes, the instructor will take questions during class using in-class chat/text. The class will end after roughly 75-90 minutes.
• A recording of the class—audio and video. This is especially helpful if you have a conflict with the class time or something comes up and you can’t make the session. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 30 days. You do not have to attend the live event to access the recordings.
• Presentation slides. All participants receive a copy of the slide presentation in PDF form.
• Rough transcript. We use Otter to create an automated transcript of the entire webinar, which we’ll share with you in addition to the audio and video recording.
• Additional resources: You will receive a supplementary handout with bonus writing exercises

Event Attendance & Anti-Harassment Policy

We strive to provide an environment where all present—whether attendee, presenter, or staff—can feel supported. In order to ensure a welcoming event, here is what we expect from all who participate.

• That the presenter and the presenter’s work be treated with respect by attendees and that all attendees treat each other with respect and a generosity of spirit.
• That attendees will refrain from harassment of any sort including (but not limited to) comments or questions of a racist, homophobic, sexist/sexual, or threatening nature. This includes actions that disrupt or interfere with anyone’s ability to participate. Offenders will be disconnected from the live event.