Some agencies ask for this, but what should this look like and what does it need to do?

My current cv as a freelance tv producer is an endless list of programme credits and dates, which I am guessing that they don't need.

So do I just give a brief para about my work in tv and then say before that I messed about and did some work in museums? 'Twill be a short CV...

So do I just give a brief para about my work in tv and then say before that I messed about and did some work in museums? 'Twill be a short CV...

As I read it, they are primarily interested in any writing credits you might have, so, eg, CW degree course, writing competition wins or runner up, published short stories, English language lecturer, professional proof-reader...that sort of thing.
Secondarily they are looking for anything in your background that might be of use to their marketing department, so love child of ageing rock star, forty convictions for nudity, Martin Amis's girlfriend, boosom buddies with big TV celebs....


NaomiM

<Added>

On reflection, I think it would be worthwhile saying you are a freelance tv producer, and include some credits/highlights of your career. Partly because your MC is a programme researcher, and partly because they would assume you would have no problems handling publicity and promotion of your novel.

Naomi, you are - brilliantly - everywhere. Many thanks.

I've put what there is of the writing stuff in my letter - well, apart from the Smash Hits Young Writer of the Year in the early 80s (even though it's my most-cherished writing achievement!). Will reword it and add it in again. Other than that, I wrote a book about china (the tableware, not the country) and attended quite a lot of writing classes. Let's hope they worked.

You will be glad when I send my packages off, I suspect...

I added a bit to the end of my covering letter about my television career, because my novel is about television, among other things. Didn't go into detail of programmes made (as they weren't exactly glamorous!) but did list a couple of awards.
By the way, did you know that Writers Workshop will look at your covering letter for free? You can send by email and they were very quick in coming back to me.
Susiex

Heh. I'm in the same position as you - same job, and all! I'd be tempted to put the Smash Hits credit it, but only because it's quite funny and quirky and memorable... But then my novel's a comedy, so it all slots together that way.

I had to do one a few months ago, was a page long. To be honest, other than its length it wasn't wildly different from my TV CV, though I broke it down differently

I put a paragraph 'objective' type thing at the top, just a few sentences explaining what kind of writing I do. Then I had a section for 'current projects' which has more meat to it than 'publications', which was the next section. Then I put 'education' at the bottom.

Don't know how 'right' that was, but it worked for me.

Kate

Very entertaining - shall we set up a support group for tv people who want to write really? (I'm sure there would be plenty more takers - I heard a rumour that when they replaced the old BBC computers a few years ago, there were countless unfinished novels scattered all over the server...)

Susieangela - I have had the WW look at my covering letter too, and they were really helpful. I've put a bit about how I've written everything from scripts to proposals in there, which they said I was underselling, as it's all writing (and it is, even factsheets for interior design programmes!).

But some people seem to want a CV too - and my writing stuff is just too thin for that. Although I do like the idea of current projects...

Sooo, what kind of programmes do you both do - and do they have that much to do with your novels?

I gave up TV in 1999, after twenty odd years. Very unglamorous - I made Schools programmes for the BBC and Channel Four! My novel is about an extreme makeover show - so no similarities at all really - apart from the stress!
You?
Susiex

Hehe - it's extreme makeover shows that have made me think that a writing career would be infinitely preferable to tv!

I started out in arts tv, but ended up doing 'popular factual' - which did include a few rather more gentle makeover shows, amongst other things. At the moment I'm just doing odds and ends of development, and a bit of edit producing, as I've got a small child and the hours don't seem very appealing right now.

I've got an, er, 'eclectic' TV CV. I mainly do current affairs or lite factual, with the occasional foray into factual entz. (No makeover shows... yet... but a bit of food.)

To be honest, my favourite thing about my writing is that I get to make things up and be funny, because in the day job I have to obsess over factual accuracy and it's all very serious!

Support group? I'm pretty sure everyone on WriteWords (who doesn't want to write for TV) used to work in telly...

SK