Query letter, biographical information??

Umgowa · Apr 17, 2011

I'm developing a query letter for a psychological thriller I've written. I want to put two things in the query I've read are important: 1) The fact that I've been published. It was in a non-fiction trade magazine but still that's got to be better than never being published. Even though my manuscript is a fiction thriller, I desperately want to let the agent know I have been published. 2) A few short facts about my education and work history in New York. A book I have actually has sample queries with this type of information in them.

Lately I've been told contrary to the above. I've been told only to include past publishing credits if they relate to the type of work characterized by your manuscript. Also I've been told to leave out all biographical information. Could you help lead me in the right direction here? Thanks.

Corinne Duyvis · Apr 17, 2011

I agree, most people would recommend to be selective about your publishing credits and to only mention relevant info about yourself. On the other hand, some agents are curious about those kinds of things... although it might irritate them to read about your work history unless it's super unique and/or relevant to the book. A few words about your current job should be just fine, though.

Basically, if your query is short enough that it won't take up vital space, it probably won't hurt you one bit. Just keep it short and non-braggy. "I previously had an X piece published in Y magazine. I have a PhD in Z and currently make my living as an ABC in New York City."

Also, stick it at the end of the query, though you probably know that already.

Good luck!

Matthew Colville · Apr 18, 2011

That seems like a good question and it makes me wonder what I should be saying in my query.

Should I say I'm a writer and editor in video games with two AAA hits for which I wrote all the dialog? Does that mean anything to an agent? Might the agent say "man the dialog in video games is notoriously awful!"

Or is it best to just say "hey I wrote a fantasy novel" and leave it at that, having never written a novel of any stripe before?

PinkAmy · Apr 18, 2011

Only include your relevant publishing information. I wrote a memoir, but I didn't include journal articles and papers I had written and were published in grad school because they weren't relevant to writing a memoir. It's a different type writing and not a huge deal (even though it felt like a huge thing at the time.)

Matthew Colville · Apr 18, 2011

PinkAmy said:
Only include your relevant publishing information.

Well that's certainly easy.

PinkAmy · Apr 18, 2011

Matthew Colville said:
Well that's certainly easy.

Yes, it was quite easy for me. Nada.

Query letter, biographical information??

Umgowa

Corinne Duyvis

My New Cat Is Too Big for Shoulders

Matthew Colville

PinkAmy

New kid, be gentle!

Matthew Colville

PinkAmy

New kid, be gentle!