Closing paragraphs

Good question. I've wondered the same and don't have the answer.

If you don't have any accomplishments, don't worry about it. In my closing paragraph I mentioned that I was an active member of Romance Writers of America and that this was my third completed novel. Nothing more (cause I didn't have any more). And I still got interest and sold.

I remembered later that I'd had two essays published in a "Essays to get into law school" book but wouldn't have listed that on there even though it's technically a pub credit (book is still on the shelves at least). That has nothing to do with what I was sending the agent.

Put yourself in the agent's shoes and think about what you'd want to know. If your writing is great, not having anything in your "third paragraph" won't mean a thing. And having a list of pub credits a mile long in your "third paragraph" won't get you represented or bought if the writing isn't any good.

Good luck with your queries!

Ditto Carrie R. Don't worry if you don't have accomplishments. Just don't include that paragraph.

Don't agonize about the query. It's just a business letter.

-- The agent wants to know that your manuscript is of a type she represents.
-- She wants the length.
-- She wants to know that it's finished.
-- She wants to know you can produce a page of concise, readable writing, free from awkwardness, grammar mistakes and spelling errors.

That's all you have to do in the query letter.

Most of her queries are going to come from people with no writing credentials. That's not going to put you out of the running.

In the end, it's all about the writing.

I think that leaves part of the question unanswered. Or else I misunderstood part of the question.

What if one of your writing credits is not yet out in print? Should it be mentioned?

J. R. Tomlin said:

What if one of your writing credits is not yet out in print? Should it be mentioned?

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Yes, as long as you have a definite commitment to publish and it's a professional market.

- Victoria

J. R. Tomlin said:

I think that leaves part of the question unanswered. Or else I misunderstood part of the question.

What if one of your writing credits is not yet out in print? Should it be mentioned?

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I've read that in that case, it's appropriate to say something to the effect of "my story/article Title will be published in month year by publisher".