Writing Credentials

Writing credentials--to me, the scariest part of a query letter (well, besides making your book sound fabulous after you've spent so much time on it that you really just want to throw it out the window). 

Basically, writing credentials are what the agent/editor looks at to see if you have any background in writing. Your answer could mean that they either do or don't take the time to ask for your manuscript. 

As an aspiring writer with no "official" publications, I feel somewhat at a loss when I come to this part in a query letter. What should I write?

Well, it's probably a bad idea to say something like, "Though I have repeatedly submitted my short stories to literary magazines, I have yet to receive acceptance." What will they think? Failure. Let's put a big L on her query letter for "Loser". 

So, ok, I'm not published. Maybe it's because my short stories haven't come across the right editor's desk. Or maybe they are just garbage (please say it isn't so). I've come across a few helpful websites that address this issue of "inexperience" for fledgling writers.

Some suggestions are:

List your education. For me, that would be a BA in English/Creative Writing. What this (hopefully) says to the agent/editor: "She takes her writing seriously enough that she spent a lot of money learning how to do it. Ok, let's read on."

Occupation, if relevant. I work at a newspaper. Am I journalist? Uh, no. So how could this be relevant? I HAVE written one article for the newspaper. It had my name on it and it was on the front page. Yay! Also, I work with journalists and am familiar with their writing process. So, I would jot down something like, "I work in a field where the importance of a well-turned phrase is continually stressed and my job (career?) had enlightened me to the various techniques of writing." Maybe? That might work. Now, if the agent/editor believes that (crosses fingers) then they'll read on.

I interned for a semester at University of Arkansas Press. That might interest an agent/editor if I say something like, "While in college, I interned for the University of Arkansas Press where I was familiarized with the publishing process from the beginnings of a manuscript, to its binding, to its marketing." That sounds pretty good. Also, considering how much trouble I went through to get that internship (it didn't exist, so I had to arrange for its existence) I think I deserve the right to put it down on my credentials. I also was introduced to the Chicago Style manual, which opened my eyes to how much goes into just editing the FORMAT of a book. And then, with my job at the newspaper, I learned the AP style. So, I would say that I am proficient in both. Though an editor might not care about AP style. :)

Clubs/Critique groups. I participate in the Writer's Digest Critique Central. Ok. Not sure how much standing an internet society has with an agent/editor, but it's something, right? This also reminds me that I really need to get involved in something locally. There's a writer's group here in Fayetteville that  I need to look into. Like, now-ish.

There are other things that I could add, but probably won't. One is that a few of my poems were published by Famous Poets and I attended a poetry conference in Reno, Nev. I didn't realize at the time (I was 13) that they are one of those "publishing" companies that will publish anything sent in to them. So, I don't think that really counts. Another thing was that I won a speech-writing contest in high school and gave my speech in front of about 2,000 people, receiving a standing ovation. A lovely moment, but I don't think an agent/editor would be impressed that I won a small town contest. 

Besides those things, I'm not sure what else I would say. I'm just hoping that is enough. Jeez, I really need to get the ball rolling on trying to get some of my short stories published and joining local writers' groups. I'm making a to-do list.

I just found an awesome blog run by Janet Reid called Query Shark. If I had a query ready (I don't, coward that I am) I would definitely submit it for her review.