Ref: D1D35304
How can you ensure that your submission to agents/publishers is as good as it can be before you hit the send button? How do you even know who to send your work to in the first place? Come to that, what actually should you send them? This course will cover everything you need to know: from researching agents and publishers and putting together a synopsis and query letter, to handling the inevitable rejections. We will also look at your first page to see if it does the all-important job it needs to do.
You will leave this course with the confidence and practical knowledge to submit the best version of your novel, as well as a good understanding of the current state of play in publishing. You will have the opportunity to get constructive feedback on your query letter, pitch, synopsis and opening page.
This course is suitable for those with a finished or nearly completed manuscript.
Daily Timetable
Course teaching 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)
Morning teaching 11am-1pm
Lunch break between 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes 5.15pm
Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.
Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.
If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.
Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.
Please refer to our terms & conditions below.
The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.
Beth Miller is the author of six novels, including the bestselling The Missing Letters of Mrs Bright (2020). Her most recent novel, The Woman Who Came Back to Life (2022), will be published in seven languages. She has also published two non-fiction books. She has a PhD in Psychology and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at Brighton University. She teaches regularly for Arvon, and is a book coach for writers at all stages.
If you’re looking to complete the first draft of a novel and learn about the publishing process. The two-year, part-time MA Creative Writing and Publishing is taught by professional authors and visiting industry professionals. Find out more
