Value of (non-prestigious) credits in query.

Credits don't really matter. Good ones might gain you a few extra seconds of an agent's time, but a great book and strong query will do more for you. If you don't enjoy writing short stories then don't waste your time with them. No agents will sign you just because you have a lot of credits if the novel isn't good. (Celebrities notwithstanding). Of course this is only for fiction. Non-fiction, credits and platform are everything.

Focus on your query and writing a strong hook. Write an even stronger novel. If the first one doesn't sell, then work on the second and make that one better. Agents are looking for great novels and the rest is trivial.

My agent said the fact that I attended the Maui Writers retreat and worked with Jackie Mitchard was a plus to her.
It can be just as difficult to get short story credits as getting an agent - I had no pub credits when I was submitting Lottery.
I think if you have an opportunity to attend a writers retreat and work with a published author -- it can be really useful- IMHO

Spiral Stairs said:

Although I am still early in the querying process for the first novel, agents have yet to begin breaking down my door and scrambling to sign me.

Click to expand...

Have you considered putting your query letter up in the Share Your Work section? It might be that your query just isn't grabbing agents for some reason.

Just an idea.

Good luck!

~Nancy

Spiral Stairs said:

Would a non-prestigious credit or two ("My short story, Stupid Title, was published in the Spring issue of Online Publication You've Never Heard Of.") make a big difference in how an agent views it? Or are agents really interested only in credits in respected literary journals or magazines, or contest wins? Right now, I don't have a lot of interest in working on publishing short stuff unless it advances the ball in my novel efforts.

Click to expand...

For Miss Snark's take on publication credits:

http://misssnark.blogspot.com/2007/02/zilcho-pub-credits.html

and on big vs little mag credits:

http://misssnark.blogspot.com/2006/08/more-on-pub-credits.html

While credits aren't necessary, I've heard agents say they like to see a list of them in a query letter. It shows that the author is actively trying to get their writing out there, and making it past a number of editors.

It's also something to put on your website if you haven't sold a novel yet. I held off on creating a web page until I had a handful of stories to link to, so people could see some of my published work.

But if your time is limited and you'd have to set the novel aside to write some short stories, I don't think I'd bother. If you already have some stories, or write them from time to time anyway to blow off steam, yeah. In place of the main work, no.

The thing you get from an increasing number of "sales for money", regardless of the size or distribution is that weird thing called, I guess, "Street Cred".

It's very hard to quantify exactly what influence it will have on anyone. However, the people I know who have gotten cold called by agencies (besides me ... ) did so because they were publishing short stories in difficult markets.

The thing you're really looking for, as an artist, is momentum. You want to make your name and your product consistent and make it a part of the lives of the people who like the stuff. You want to get the ball rolling and get people reading things and make your name recognizable.

Short story sales - even to smaller markets - are a great way to build momentum. And, the habits you build in querying and writing consistently good short stories will only help you.

The flip side to the short story and agent question is this: Will it HURT you to have a bunch of penny sales to unknown places? The answer to that is a resounding "No". It may not help much, but it definitely won't hurt.

Having your stuff read by fans who care enough about your genre to read the litmags and zines will only do good things for you when that book finally comes out. Don't forget that!

If you love writing short stories -- go for it. If you're "meh" about writing short stories and just doing it for pub credits, I'd probably not spend the time on it. First, it's really hard to get published in the "known" short story zines (anything that would make the agent perk up). Second, if you write a good book, having pub credits won't really matter (I sold my book without a single pub credit and I'd argue that Orion would have sold her book without Maui). Same with a website -- it does make you look like you're a professional and are serious about the business, but so does a very well written and highly polished manuscript.

If you love writing short stories, playing with websites, etc., then I say go for it. But I know from my own experience that it's easy to get distracted trying to find a better and better way to position yourself with agents, which can take time away from doing what will REALLY help you with agents: writing a great book and making sure it shines.

I'm going to tack my question on here. I have a nonfiction book credit. It was a series book (a little college guide) but it's not nothing. I haven't included it in my list of credits because it's nonfiction, and I'm trying to sell a novel. Is this a mistake? Should I be putting it in?

pub credits are pub credits- I'd list it (if your name is on it as author) - I listed the fact that I was in a doctoral program and that had NOTHING to do with anything-
In reality I agree with Carrie R- my agent didn't read that far down on my query and just skipped to the first 5 pages in included in my equery- My publisher however was VERY interested in Maui and the blurb potential FYI...

Credits

Really good credits matter a lot. I've sold a western novel, and made a two novel mystery deal solely because I had very good short story credits.

Good credits do a heck of a lot more than simply get you read faster. They tell an agent, or a book editor, that you can compete with the best, and that if they take on your novel, you'll be bringing something of a fan base along with it. A fan base matters to anyone who crunches numbers, and publishing houses are run by accountants, not editors.

But really good credits are incredibly difficult to obtain, which is one reason they're so valuable.

This said, any sold credit is better than no credit, and you can certainly sell a novel with no credits at all. It is tougher, and one reason so many writers have to query bazillions of agents and editor is because they lack good credits. But it can still be done, and a lot of first time novelists break in every year without any credits at all.

Authors with credits do get a bit more attention, but those credits need to be someplace "for real." For example, web credits mean little unless it's SLATE or something like that. Magazine credits where you got paid for the piece and the magazine is a known factor (e.g., ANALOG for an SF writer) are a major plus.

I frequently get queries saying "My articles have appeared in the PODUNK NEWS." That doesn't get my attention. If you have published in ESQUIRE, you will get my attention.

Best wishes,
Andy