Writing Credentials in Queries

vixey · Jun 19, 2008

If I'm posting in the wrong place, please let me know ...

I'm curious to hear thoughts about including writing credentials, previous pubs, education, biographical info at the close of a query. It seems most agencies want this information. Do most of you include this information even if you're not already published? I kind of feel like the close of my query is naked.

Toothpaste · Jun 19, 2008

Unless you have a degree in the subject of your work, or had a job that would give you a better understanding about what you are writing, or published in a known publication well respected in the industry - no. You don't need to worry about your query looking too naked. It will look MORE professional if you leave it like that, as opposed to trying to pad the query with tales of your high school newspaper which will make you look like a newbie.

maestrowork · Jun 19, 2008

If you have no relevant experiences, background or publishing credits, just leave that section out. Do not list things such as "article in my local community newsletter" or "I edited my father's self-published ms." and please don't list any vanity presses.

Red-Green · Jun 19, 2008

Yup, only include the info if you've got a degree that's applicable and/or publications that are relevant to your query.

ishtar'sgate · Jun 19, 2008

I know what you mean. I had no publishing credits when I began shopping my first novel either. Fortunately it's historical so I simply mentioned my extensive research into the period, making me the right person to tell the story.
Linnea

Angelle · Jun 19, 2008

I agree with other posters.

Say nothing if you have no relevant credit / experience. They won't hold that against you, esp. for fiction queries.

inkkognito · Jun 19, 2008

Actually I think articles in local newspapers might be relevant to include. Granted, it's not like having sold to a glossie, but it shows that a) someone was willing to pay you for your writing; b) you have some professional experience, no matter how small; and c) this implies you have a respect for deadlines and experience working with an editor.

Education, definitely not unless it's related to the article. I've found that being a doctor of psychology helps a lot with self-help articles, but that's a very specialized case. I don't mention it when pitching for other topics where it doesn't mean a hill of beans.

maestrowork · Jun 19, 2008

inkkognito said:
Actually I think articles in local newspapers might be relevant to include. Granted, it's not like having sold to a glossie, but it shows that a) someone was willing to pay you for your writing; b) you have some professional experience, no matter how small; and c) this implies you have a respect for deadlines and experience working with an editor.

If it's paid, or professional otherwise, of course. What I'm saying is "writing for your condo association's newsletter" or "college papers" -- that type of thing. These are generally not looked at as "professional" credits.

scope · Jun 19, 2008

I agree with Toothpaste and Maestrowork.

vixey · Jun 19, 2008

Angelle said:
I agree with other posters.

Say nothing if you have no relevant credit / experience. They won't hold that against you, esp. for fiction queries.

It's the 'hold that against you' part that concerned me.

Thanks, everyone. Unfortunately, no paid experience here. And my history degree looks pretty hanging on the wall, but...

I really appreciate the afirmation that my 'naked' paragraph is fine

.

JenUK24 · Jun 19, 2008

I might be completley wrong and make myself look like an idiot by asking this but...

When you say credentials, do you mean a cirriculum vitae you may I guess refer to it as a resume?

Am I to presume your saying that if an agent or such like is asking for this but you dont have previous publications, then NOT to send this info?

I'm just a bit confussed....Doesnt take much I know....LOL!!!

If this is right, wouldnt this look bad. Some agents I'm sending to are asking for this info and I have no prev experience.
I dont want them to think I have read their submissions guidelines correctly or that I'm trying to hide any info.

Again I'm sorry if Ive miss understood.

J x

vixey · Jun 19, 2008

JenUK24 said:
If this is right, wouldnt this look bad. Some agents I'm sending to are asking for this info and I have no prev experience.
I dont want them to think I have read their submissions guidelines correctly or that I'm trying to hide any info.

Jen,

It's the submissions guidelines I'm referring to. Sometimes they explicitly ask for bio info. I don't believe they're referring to a curriculum vitae or resume (and I sure as heck don't want to give them more paper than they want) but without previous publishing experience I don't know what kind of bio info to give them. So for now, I'm just going to close with a "Look forward to hearing from you".

vixey · Jun 19, 2008

And thanks for making me a Super Member.

JenUK24 · Jun 19, 2008

Soz, I get what you mean now.

J x

Writing Credentials in Queries

vixey

C'est la vie!

Toothpaste

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Red-Green

KoalaKoalaKoala!

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Angelle

inkkognito

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

vixey

C'est la vie!

JenUK24

Jess aged 15 months

vixey

C'est la vie!

vixey

C'est la vie!

JenUK24

Jess aged 15 months