Mentioning day job in query letter?

agentelle · Apr 6, 2009

Just a quick question - when querying agents, I understand that you need to include a little bit about yourself. I've written for websites and local media and I've mentioned this briefly. I'm also assistant editor of a book website. But what about the day job?

I work at a call centre by day. Not at all exciting to an agent and nothing to do with my book, but do I mention what my job is?

I've written: 'When I'm not working on novels or doing my day job, I'm assistant editor of [site].'

I don't want to launch into a huge biography. I think what I have so far would suffice (or would it? Your thoughts please

) I just wondered whether you tell the agent what you do for a living initially or wait till later?

BradyH1861 · Apr 6, 2009

Interesting question. Understand that I am not an agent nor an attorney, however, I would think that if it was relevant to your book, then it wouldn't hurt to mention it. Otherwise, I'm not sure. Someone far wiser than me can probably answer that for you.

The best example I can think of is if you are say a homicide detective and you wrote a mystery novel about a homicide, that might be important to mention. However, if you wrote the same exact book but are a used car salesman, you might not want to mention it.

It sounds like you have some good experience outside of your day job that might be better to focus on.

But as I said, I'm not professional and it is quite possible that I don't know what I am talking about.

Enzo · Apr 6, 2009

I would also imagine it's not necessary to mention the day job unless it's relevant to your writing and to the story you have to sell.
Your assistant editorship surely sounds like a big plus.

Red.Ink.Rain · Apr 6, 2009

I am a freelance writer, so I mentioned that in my QL. Even if your day job isn't relevant to writing, I don't think there's any harm in writing a short sentence on what you do or where you live. Just don't make it too lengthy.

maestrowork · Apr 6, 2009

If your day job is not relevant or not very interesting, skip it. But if you're the President of the United States, by all means mention it.

suki · Apr 6, 2009

Editorial Anonymous recently did a post on bio - now, she is an editor, not an agent, and an agent might be a little bit more interested in you as a commodity, but not by much. Stick to relevant to your book or ability to write bits only IMO.

Here's her post: http://editorialanonymous.blogspot.com/2009/03/autobiographical-portion-of-our-program.html

And if you look at the next, it's kind of related, ie, don't make yourself look weird.

~suki

kct webber · Apr 6, 2009

From reading different agents' blogs and articles and things--unfortunately, I can't think of exactly which ones--I'd say that if your day job is relevant to the book somehow, mention it. If not, don't. They don't care. For example, if you are writing a spy thriller and your day job is a CIA agent, mention it. If you're writing a crime novel and you're a detective... etc. If you're writing those same novels and you work at a call center... not so much.

mayamolly · Apr 7, 2009

I kind of wonder about this same question. Is being a high school English teacher relevant?

I'd say keep what you originally have, though. Skip the call center job and mention the job as an assistant editor.

Danthia · Apr 7, 2009

If it shows you have the necessary background or skill to write that novel, you can mention it. Such as you get paid to write somewhere, or you're an ex-Navy SEAL and the book is about Navy Seals. If not, don't say anything. What matters most to an agent at the query stage is how good the book sounds. You don't even need to say anything personal if you don't want to.

SarahMacManus · Apr 7, 2009

In numerous agent blogs, I've seen it mentioned that unless it applies to the book you are currently querying, don't mention it at all.

scope · Apr 7, 2009

agentelle said:
Just a quick question - when querying agents, I understand that you need to include a little bit about yourself. I've written for websites and local media and I've mentioned this briefly. I'm also assistant editor of a book website. But what about the day job?

I wouldn't mention anything about your day job since it has no relationship to what you do as a writer and therefore of no interest to the agent. I would be tempted to say something like: "I am currently a freelance assistant editor of a book website. Previously (or currently, if appropriate) I have done (or do) some freelance editorial work (or writing, if that's appropriate) for other websites, as well as local media outlets." Something like that.

agentelle · Apr 7, 2009

Thanks so much everyone! I did think that the job wouldn't matter, so I just won't mention it and stick with the other experience I have. If an agent ever was interested, I'm sure they'd ask.

Mentioning day job in query letter?

agentelle

BradyH1861

Hold Fast.

Enzo

Red.Ink.Rain

Not your kid brother's YA

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

suki

Opinionated

kct webber

Squirrel, Sekrit type, 1 ea.

mayamolly

I haz a pomegranate

Danthia

SarahMacManus

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

agentelle