Querying with weak credentials

[SJBell]

I've written a short novel and I'm looking to get it published. All the guides, examples, etc. I look up regarding query letters say you should give your credentials. Problem for me- I don't have many. I have a Bachelor's Degree in English, but that's pretty much it. Should I just say that, or will the fact that I have nothing else to boast about draw attention to my flaws?

[Mishell]

I would leave it out and just write about the story (word count, genre, main character, plot blurb, etc.) and then thank the agent for his/her consideration.

Also, look for agents that request the first 5-50 pages of a manuscript along with the query - if your writing is good they won't care about your credentials.

[inkspatters]

Just leave out the bio paragraph (I actually think a bachelor's in English could be a significant qualification...But someone who actually knows about including qualifications and what not will probably be able to tell you if that's the case).

I didn't have a bio paragraph, and I'm totally unqualified (high school student here). It didn't hurt me. If the writing and concept are good nothing else matters :)

[leahzero]

If only authors with impressive credentials were signed for book deals, publishing would be a cottage industry.

Don't worry about your credentials. That's not what you're selling. You're selling your manuscript.

[Jamesaritchie]

Good credits, which means sales to good magazines, do help. If you happen to be a police officer, and you're writing a police procedual, or if you're a doctor writing a medical thriller, or a physicist writing an SF novel, it helps to mention this, as well.

But most writers begin the writing life without any credits. Write a good query letter, follow it with a good novel, and the credentials won't matter.

[waylander]

Here is what the ever wonderful Nathan Bransford of Curtis Brown has to say on the subject http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2007/06/what-to-do-if-you-dont-have-publishing.html

[SJBell]

Okay, sounds reasonable. Thanks for the support, all!

[scope]

Don't look for things to say that have no meaning. Don't say anything that's not true. If you agree with this basic advice, all you can-and I believe-should say is that this is your first book. The agent and/or editor will understand and know that if your work "sings" to them nothing else matters.