CV?? What should I include

SecretScribe · Nov 2, 2007

Hi there

I would like to send off a submission to a particular agent (in the UK) who is asking for a CV in addition to the cover letter. I don't have any (fiction) writing experience, so what do I put in this? I read somewhere that it should be something like the author bio on the back flap of published books. Is that correct? Do they really want to know what I studied and what job I do and where I was born?

Is there anywhere I can examples of a CV sent with a submission?

Thanks guys, hope you can help
SS

waylander · Nov 2, 2007

Already answered in the Bio thread in the Ask the Agent section on this site.

SecretScribe · Nov 2, 2007

Thanks Waylander. Thing is - is a bio the same as a CV, or would a CV have more of your career/life to date?

qdsb · Nov 2, 2007

In US academia, a CV is much like a resume. It includes your educational history (high school, college, degrees, years of graduation, major field(s) of study) and any relevant work experience. It also includes any previous publications, awards, presentations and memberships.

I'm not sure if it's defined quite the same way in the UK.

Best of luck!

waylander · Nov 2, 2007

I guess some of the things an agent would want to know are your profession - does it relate at all to what you're writing (e.g. criminal lawyer writing crime thrillers)? Are you looking to become a full-time writer or do you have flexibility in your work so that you can write to a deadline? Marital status - in the sense of how it might impact your writing time.

Ravenlocks · Nov 2, 2007

I don't think in the US they have a right to ask about your marital status. I seriously doubt they do.

And I wouldn't put high school on anything if you've graduated from college. If not, then it goes on.

SecretScribe · Nov 3, 2007

I agree that to me the reference to CV means, basically, your resume. But I am assuming that I need to make it sound interesting (at least a bit) as it is yet another example of your writing that the agent looks at. Would it be ok to post something like this on SYW, I wonder?

James D. Macdonald · Nov 6, 2007

If you were a professional tennis player I wouldn't list it, unless your novel is set in the seamy underbelly of the professional tennis world.

As far as publications: only list the most recent/most prestigious. A ten-year-long list of minor sales to invisible 4theluv markets means that you've found your level. It doesn't fill anyone's heart with hope. Same for obscure contests. Same for microscopic awards.

SecretScribe · Nov 6, 2007

James, the problem is that I don't have any writing credits. The agency I am querying has an online application process and the first thing they ask for is a CV. If it was just a letter, I could leave it out, but I don't think I can leave this part of the application blank. It is a process that takes you step by step through the stuff they want, so I can't even get to the next bit of the application without doing the CV. They specifically said CV, not Bio, so I'm wondering if they mean where you are from, your schooling, your career, etc, or if they mean something completely different.

Any thoughts?

JoniBGoode · Nov 6, 2007

qdsb said:
In US academia, a CV is much like a resume. It includes your educational history (high school, college, degrees, years of graduation, major field(s) of study) and any relevant work experience. It also includes any previous publications, awards, presentations and memberships.

I'm not sure if it's defined quite the same way in the UK.

Best of luck!

In my day job, I'm a professional resume writer who also writes non-fiction, so I know a partial answer here.

The post above is absolute correct -- in the U.S., a CV and a resume are entirely different.

However, in the UK, the terms are often used interchangably. My best guess is that the agent wants an actual resume, much like you would submit if you were applying for a writing job. "Where you're from, your schooling, your career" probably sums it up.

Yes, I would slant your past experience so it highlights any writing duties or experience that you might have had, without actually lying. I would also emphasize any experience that will relate to the topics that you are writing on.

Do a good job on this to show your writing skill, but don't obsess about it. It may well NOT be the most important thing to the agent.

David I · Nov 6, 2007

Ravenlocks said:
I don't think in the US they have a right to ask about your marital status. I seriously doubt they do.

This isn't a job application, and isn't protected by EEO legislation. They can ask anything they please, including your religious affiliation and sexual preference.

This is a relationship. They are free to ask whatever they like. You are free to answer however you like. Either side is free to be offended by the questions or by the answers. Just as you have the right to marry or not marry someone based on whatever criteria you want to use, whether they are PC or not.

Think of it like the personal ads.

SecretScribe · Nov 8, 2007

Ok, is this the sort of thing I should do? Please feel free to shred this:

I was born in Johannesburg in 1967 and grew up in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg. After school I attended the University of Pretoria and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1988. After doing an in-house training programme in copywriting, I started working and spent the next several years doing marketing and research for various newspapers. I then joined a medical reference publisher as Subscriptions and Marketing Manager.

In my spare time I read, read and read, watch movies and also enjoy painting and various crafts. I love to travel and wish I could afford to do more.

In 2005 I moved to the UK and, while looking for a permanent position, have been doing temporary administration jobs - and writing.

Buried Secrets is my first completed novel. I am planning a follow-up featuring same characters and am also working on a police procedural set in the UK.

waylander · Nov 8, 2007

I wouldn't mention that this is your first completed novel. Just put somewhere in your covering letter that it is complete and the word count is #####

qdsb · Nov 8, 2007

I did a quick google on "uk cv" and the resulting links provide examples that are formatted like a resume.

I'd recommend you follow examples here and here, including your professional and academic experience in resume format.

My concern about your draft in #12 above is that the summary format might seem less professional than a traditionally formatted CV.

aaron9008 · Oct 5, 2008

Your CV is your marketing tool selling your key skills and work experience. If you want to impress the employer, keep your CV simple, clear and concise. Generally the best format is a reverse chronological order. List education and work experiences starting with the most recent first.While writing CV, you can include the following information.
Contact information: Name, Address, Email, Phone No.
Objective: A short and clear statement, tailored to fit the needs of the potential employer for example to manage people, interact with customers, and work with software or hardware applications.
Experience: Title of position, Name of company, city and state of employment and dates.
Education: A list of institutions and courses, date of graduation and certificates earned.
Skills/Competencies - skills or achievements that are relevant to the position.
Additional information: interests, awards, additional computer Knowledge and languages spoken You can use keywords to define your skills and experience for example managed, organized, completed. Finally proofread your CV before submitting.

waylander · Oct 6, 2008

aaron9008 said:
Your CV is your marketing tool selling your key skills and work experience. If you want to impress the employer, keep your CV simple, clear and concise. Generally the best format is a reverse chronological order. List education and work experiences starting with the most recent first.While writing CV, you can include the following information.
Contact information: Name, Address, Email, Phone No.
Objective: A short and clear statement, tailored to fit the needs of the potential employer for example to manage people, interact with customers, and work with software or hardware applications.
Experience: Title of position, Name of company, city and state of employment and dates.
Education: A list of institutions and courses, date of graduation and certificates earned.
Skills/Competencies - skills or achievements that are relevant to the position.
Additional information: interests, awards, additional computer Knowledge and languages spoken You can use keywords to define your skills and experience for example managed, organized, completed. Finally proofread your CV before submitting.

The OP asked about a CV for an agent, not an employer.
Most of the above is completely irrelevent. No agent is going to want an exhaustive list of institutions attended and certificates earned.

The appropriate information in this case is a short summary of your details as they pertain to your writing

CV?? What should I include

SecretScribe

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

SecretScribe

qdsb

Cynical Idealist

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

Ravenlocks

How novel.

SecretScribe

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

SecretScribe

JoniBGoode

David I

SecretScribe

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

qdsb

Cynical Idealist

aaron9008

waylander

Who's going for a beer?