Writing a CV

PrincessOfCats

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I'm not sure that this is the proper forum for this thread; if it's not, please forgive me. I looked around for a thread on this topic, but I'm new to the forum and still figuring out the search function, and where everything goes.

I got a partial request today that, among other things, requests a CV. This is the first time anyone has specifically asked for a CV in a partial or full request, and I've never written one before.

I'm pretty much self-taught on this whole query thing -- I learned to write queries and synopsises (synposi?) by reading interviews about what agents liked and didn't like, and examples of what worked and didn't. But that technique isn't getting me a whole lot of help for writing a CV.

My last produced work was an on-again-off-again op ed gig for a local newspaper and a couple of plays performed by a local theater company over 10 years ago. I didn't even major in English in college, because the creative writing department wasn't teaching me as much about writing as the drama department did.

Any advice for how to proceed? Should I just tell them I couldn't deliver a CV because I don't have any recent writing credits?
 

CrastersBabies

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Are you writing nonfiction? I have no idea why anyone would want a CV unless they are looking for credentials and teaching/research experience.

CVs are essentially resumes for academics that are a bit longer. CV "format" will vary. You could go to any faculty site of any department of any university and click on professors' CVs to get an idea. I could PM you mine if you want.

A CV usually includes your education, work history (research and teaching at the fore), list of publications (including works in progress), list of speaking events like conferences where you were on a panel, boards you have been involved with (e.g. I served on a fiction board for a literary contest), grants you have contributed to, etc. etc.

That's why I asked if this was nonfiction. Unless this was a super high-falootin' literary submission . . . I just don't know.

If you aren't writing non-fiction or any type of educational/research material, I'd probably just consider the CV a straight-up resume. Or, email to ask for clarification.
 

PrincessOfCats

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The novel isn't non-fiction nor high falootin' literary fiction. It's young adult fantasy. You can see why the CV request has me scratching my head.

I guess I'll patch something together, slap on some of the frills and padding that college essays taught me, and hope for the best.
 

Siri Kirpal

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If the agent primarily reps nonfic, he/she might call the bio a CV, even for fiction. Treat it as for a fiction bio, but include more detail on work history, media experience, speaking experience, etc.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal
 

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Agents often want to know something about the authors they might end up representing, which is why they sometimes request a CV.

It's no big deal. Just write half a page about your background, career, and so on.
 

Jamesaritchie

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It always comes down to what novels an agent has placed with top publishers, and who the writers are in her stable. If these things are good, a CV is no big deal, through the only agents I've known who primarily handle novel, and who still wanted a CV, dealt primarily with literary fiction.