do publishing credits get stale?

Dahlia Travers · Jun 23, 2009

I'm considering including a publishing credit in a query I'm writing -- a short story of mine that was published in an anthology. The thing is, the anthology was published (gulp) sixteen years ago. Is the credit now too stale to use? (It's the only fiction credit I've got, but if its age makes it a net negative, I'll leave it out.)

Lisa Cox · Jun 23, 2009

A credit is a credit. You don't need to say how long ago it was. "I have a degree in blah blah and my work was featured in blah blah Anthology." Or something.

It's what I would say.

Danthia · Jun 23, 2009

It won't make much of a difference either way, so do what feels right to you. What really matters is your story and how well you write your hook. If the agent likes that, they won't care if you have credits or not. If they don't like the hook, your credits won't matter either. The only time credits matter is, for example, if an agent is on the fence, then a lot of credits by known pro-level publications could tip the scales.

do publishing credits get stale?

Dahlia Travers

Lisa Cox

Danthia