Credits in a Query Letter

JohnnyGottaKeyboard · Jun 19, 2012

RESURRECTED To add a Follow-Up Question down at Post #12 -- Thanks to anyone who has the answer!

I have a query letter that describes the story etc., but, for a particular agent, I am considering adding the following credit (obviously, it would only apply to that particular agent):

_______________
I am the author of two published works, <TITLE ONE> and <TITLE TWO>, as well as a third novel scheduled for release in September of this year. My debut novel as well as the forthcoming novel are both published by <PUBLISHER>, who has also published two novels by your client <CLIENT'S NAME>. In fact, <CLIENT'S NAME> penned a review of my debut novel for the website <REVIEW SITE NAME>.
_______________

Obviously, everything in the <>s will be replaced with actual words, but I wanted to be candid.

Is that considered acceptable? Is it too much? Will it help at all? Could it hurt?

Thanks!

Becca C. · Jun 19, 2012

It sounds great to me.

triceretops · Jun 19, 2012

Nothing wrong with that.

tri

Susan Coffin · Jun 19, 2012

I think it sounds great, but I am a little confused as to why you would not mention your publishing credits (minus the personalized client connection) in every query letter you sound out? Have two published titles and one in the works sounds like excellent credits to mention.

JohnnyGottaKeyboard · Jun 19, 2012

Susan Littlefield said:
I think it sounds great, but I am a little confused as to why you would not mention your publishing credits (minus the personalized client connection) in every query letter you sound out? Have two published titles and one in the works sounds like excellent credits to mention.

Oh, I will mention them, I was more concerned about the "your client" business. The generalized letter has the line: "I am the author of two published works, <TITLE ONE> and <TITLE TWO>, as well as a third novel scheduled for release in September of this year."

katci13 · Jun 19, 2012

It all sounds great, except for the last line. That sounds a little too much in my opinion. But if you want it there, by all means put it in, it's your letter. But yeah, the rest of it sounds great.

Susan Coffin · Jun 20, 2012

JohnnyGottaKeyboard said:
Oh, I will mention them, I was more concerned about the "your client" business. The generalized letter has the line: "I am the author of two published works, <TITLE ONE> and <TITLE TWO>, as well as a third novel scheduled for release in September of this year."

Cool beans. It sounds like you've had some wonderful successes.

MrsBrommers · Jun 20, 2012

The publishing credits are great to mention, but I am also a little leery of name-dropping the client that reviewed your work. It could be construed as the client's endorsement of your work or a referral, which the client may or may not be okay with. You might want to contact the client before name-dropping him/her in the query like that. Just a thought.

Becca C. · Jun 20, 2012

MrsBrommers said:
The publishing credits are great to mention, but I am also a little leery of name-dropping the client that reviewed your work. It could be construed as the client's endorsement of your work or a referral, which the client may or may not be okay with. You might want to contact the client before name-dropping him/her in the query like that. Just a thought.

This is a good point I didn't even think about -- do you really have to say "[blah] Press, which published titles by your client"? The agent probably sold those titles, so they'll know the publisher you're talking about. You probably don't even have to mention the client's name at all.

Zeddo · Jun 20, 2012

I think it's fine to mention the client's name and draw attention to the website comments. The client posted the review, so presumably intended to publicly recognize the writer's ability. IMO, anything that makes the agent aware that a successful client is impressed with the writer's previous work can only be positive.

dclary · Jun 21, 2012

I would only use the first half of that:

I am the author of two published works, <TITLE ONE> and <TITLE TWO>, as well as a third novel scheduled for release in September of this year. My debut novel as well as the forthcoming novel are both published by <PUBLISHER>.

But I think it's personal preference. Many agents I know say a paragraph with some credits can only help a query -- it shows them that other people have said "yes" too.

JohnnyGottaKeyboard · Sep 10, 2013

So, a follow up question...years later.

How do you format the titles of previously published works in a query letter for a new work? I know the new ms's title is ALL CAPS. Are the titles of the previously published works also ALL CAPS?

OctoberLee · Sep 10, 2013

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will chime in here, but I think the whole point of the caps is to draw attention to the book you want to SELL... I would guess italics would work for previously published books. .

Siri Kirpal · Sep 10, 2013

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

I was told by a reputable NY editor to use italics, not CAPS for past work.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

JohnnyGottaKeyboard · Sep 10, 2013

Thanks to you both. That seemed like the logical choice to me as well. I do worry for email queries how consistently italics carries across different email software...But italics it shall be!

DennisB · Sep 11, 2013

I guess I'm behind the curve here. You are published and are about to be published again, but you're looking for an agent?

JohnnyGottaKeyboard · Sep 11, 2013

Um...Yes?

I doubt it's unprecedented or even uncommon. There are many presses you can sub to without an agent. I do not expect my credits will give me much of a leg up (in fact, here's a blog post of Nathan Bradford's about how it can actually hurt my chances), but any interested agent is sure to find out I've had three books published, so I figure it's best to be upfront!

JanetReid · Sep 11, 2013

All book titles are in caps. Magazine names are in italics. Article titles are enclosed in quotes.

JohnnyGottaKeyboard · Sep 11, 2013

Thanks J. But just to be sure I understand you: all four titles should be in ALL CAPS (new ms title + 3 previously published novel titles)?

JanetReid · Sep 15, 2013

CrastersBabies · Sep 15, 2013

I use italics. I pretty much use same format as I do on my C.V. for publications which seems to be close to APA/MLA citation format. But that's me. Never had an issue with it. I only use prior publications relevant to the genre I'm submitting, though, unless it's won an award of some kind.

isitkind · Sep 16, 2013

Thx

Siri Kirpal said:
Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

I was told by a reputable NY editor to use italics, not CAPS for past work.l

Thank you, that is helpful

Credits in a Query Letter

JohnnyGottaKeyboard

Who let this guy in...?

Becca C.

triceretops

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is

JohnnyGottaKeyboard

Who let this guy in...?

katci13

creative genie

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is

MrsBrommers

Becca C.

Zeddo

Talk to the hat

dclary

Unabashed Mercenary

JohnnyGottaKeyboard

Who let this guy in...?

OctoberLee

Destroying something beautiful

Siri Kirpal

Swan in Process

JohnnyGottaKeyboard

Who let this guy in...?

DennisB

JohnnyGottaKeyboard

Who let this guy in...?

JanetReid

JohnnyGottaKeyboard

Who let this guy in...?

JanetReid

CrastersBabies

Burninator!

isitkind