Unrelated Writing Experience

It goes in your last paragraph, yes? "I'm a freelance writer, whose recent projects have included a, b, and c {your three most interesting projects}."

Now, if you ghostwrote a celebrity's novel for publication by a major commercial press, and you're allowed to give details of that, then definitely go into detail.

How much emphasis? A lot. Given that agents and editors are human and are in the business to make money, they pay more attention published writers than unpublished. You already have the start of a platform (people who want to read your works, and places where you can help with sales of a new book or article). Agents/publishers love that.

I wouldn't bury this message in your last paragraph - it's far too important. Mentioning it (don't spend more than one or two sentences) in your second (maybe even first) paragraph works for me.

scope said:

You already have the start of a platform

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Dave is querying about a novel, I believe. Non-fiction publication doesn't make a platform for fiction, sadly (unless you're Deepak Chopra or Cesar Milian or another non-fiction celeb). It's not like someone says "Oh, I loved that guy's article about environmentally-friendly roofing materials! Can't wait to read his book about dragons in space!"

Dave, if I'm wrong, and you're querying a non-fiction book, then what scope said is right on target and you may point and laugh in my general direction.

IceCreamEmpress said:

Dave is querying about a novel, I believe. Non-fiction publication doesn't make a platform for fiction, sadly (unless you're Deepak Chopra or Cesar Milian or another non-fiction celeb). It's not like someone says "Oh, I loved that guy's article about environmentally-friendly roofing materials! Can't wait to read his book about dragons in space!"

Dave, if I'm wrong, and you're querying a non-fiction book, then what scope said is right on target and you may point and laugh in my general direction.

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If you are right, and you certainly may be, I agree that Dave's published works of nonfiction are far less important. Nevertheless, if it is a novel, I still think Dave should mention that he's a published writer, although in his letter I would move mention of same to a lower paragraph and just state the fact (gives credence to the idea that he's generally familiar with the writing and publishing process).

I have been a newspaper columnist, a technical writer, and an editor of a newsletter. I have been mentioning these credits just before the 'Thank you for your consideration. Please recycle the materials when through' last line of my query/cover letter. For a novel btw. I think any professional writing credit is worthy of mention. Of course, the more it pertains to what you are querying about, the more prominent it should be. Anyway, that's how I've ben doing it.

Richard

Dave.C.Robinson said:

I am querying a novel, and one of the projects was to ghostwrite one (I can't say more due to NDA).

So I think the best is to mention but not focus on it.

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Yep. Putting it in the context of some other recent projects that you can point to is good. The goal is to communicate to the agents that you are a pro who can deliver.