OK, I think I already asked this one before, but can't remember when or where. So apologies for asking again, but this is something that has me a little worried.

I'm currently writing my letter/query to post off to agents and what have you. I've looked on the internet and on books about successful letters and the one thing I've noticed is that they all include things about the writer having previous experiance (such as a degree in creative writing, or winning a writing competition or having an article published, etc). This has me worried as I don't really have any writing experience (other than an imagination) and am worried that will be a strike against me. I did once have a couple of articles published on an online writers newsletter, but I'd rather not mention them because it wasn't a well known newletter and as such I only wrote a couple of them.

So does having no experience count against me if I'm submitting? Are there any writers out there that had no experience before they decided to write?

<Added>

Oh, and apologies about the misspelling of experience in the title. For some reason I can never spell that right.

I go by the mantra 'If you've nothing to say; don't say it.'
The agents will spot it a mile off if you pad out a covering letter or query letter with 'puff', so I wouldn't bother.
Personally, I just say something along the lines of: 'I've been writing for a number of years and submit this (or 'my latest' novel for your consideration'.


- NaomiM

<Added>

oops, rogue winkie.

Once again, thank you so much for your excellent advice, Naomi. And thanks for answering my other post for lulu as well. I know what to look out for now. In fact, having a quick look some websites, some agents prefer you to send the papers not even bound at all. I can't see the logic in that myself, but I guess they have their reasons.

Do you think I should do that "I have been writing," thing you mentioned at the beginning of the letter or at the end.

I put it at the end, followed by 'I enclose an SAE...'

some agents prefer you to send the papers not even bound at all.

Yes, and don't use staples or paper clips either - although some don't mind rubber bands if it's a particularly thick submission.
Just make sure the title, your name and a contact number are in the header section of the synopsis and the pages of first 3 chapters, in case they lose the title page, or covering letter.


- NaomiM

<Added>

This is another take on the matter:

http://behlerblog.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/more-on-writing-your-biography-for-a-query-letter/

Yes, wot Naomi said. If you've got it, put it in, but they're going on the quality of what you submitm, so not having it really doesn't matter, and as you say, if it's really trivial it won't be any benefit..

Emma

I'd be interested as to what people thought to mentioning a blog that you manage, in your cover letter? Like Dwriter i've no writing credentials. Yet i doubt agents are interested in blogs.

??

Re: Blogs -

Some Agents (Curtis Brown???) ask you to mention it if you've got one - but I think that's so they can check out what sort of person you are...


- NaomiM

Hmm - that's one reason we only write about writing on our blog

Some employers are now checking on Facebook before hiring prospective candidates.

But surely when an agent or publisher gets a covering letter from someone wanting to represent their book, their looking at the writing potential, not the person? At least I would assume so--else how the heck did William S Burroughs get published? Not that I'm saying Mr Burroughs is a bad writer, although I do find his book Naked Lunch virtually unreadable.

I think I might go by what was said earlier, and that is only put in what's needed. I doubt I need to put my whole life story in there. Although I did find the link that Naomi put up quite interesting. I wonder if there is a way where you can put a little bit about yourself in the covering letter without going too in depth about your life?

I used to put in my age and state that i was a mother, Dwriter - i don't even do that anymore. I just concentrate on making the cover letter snappy, with regards to my book, and put in anything relevant that shows why i am qualified to write it - eg if you are writing crime and used to be a policeman.

Of course, they do say write what you know and my wip is based in Ancient Egypt so, erm, probably the less i say the better
x

That's a good point, Casey. Then again, my books a fantasy novel--so I wonder what qualifications you need to write that?

I guess I could always tell a bit of a white lie and say that I used to be Skeletor's personal assistant. You think that might wash? haha?

Maybe you can give me some advice in how you would do a cover letter, as I'm writing mine at the moment and really struggling.

But surely when an agent or publisher gets a covering letter from someone wanting to represent their book, their looking at the writing potential, not the person?

No Agent is going to want to sign someone who is, shall we say, a little intense, or just plain weird - authors are expected to go out on book signings and media interviews, etc. So, no, these days it's not simply down to how good the writing is, even if it's capable of being another Da Vinci Code blockbuster.


- NaomiM



<Added>

and by 'a little intense' I mean so precious about their work so they refuse to comply with any of the agent's or editor's suggestions for revisions to the ms.

I imagine the 'do you have a blog?' question is because it's a plus if the author's a bit online-minded, and it's perhaps a way to have a look at how you present yourself to the world.

But, equally, if the writing's good enough, it won't matter. It's true that it's very hard to get anywhere if you're not willing to do the circuit a bit, but it really doesn't mean we all have to be zedlebrities in the making: clean, punctual and capable of talking about your work will do.

Plus, I wonder if Curtis Brown are, as agents so often do, not making a distinction between fiction and non-fiction. With non-fiction it's essential that you have some kind of standing in your field - what they call a platform - which the publicity can tap into: what are your qualifications for writing about this topic, in other words, and who knows that you have them? A blog or website, these days, would be a pretty central part of that. Whereas with fiction, unless you're famous for doing something else (or your book began as a blog, and even then it's dubious, see the TFP debacle) the use of a blog, for the most part, is after your book's come out and you're trying to build up a readership.

Emma

I can understand that to an extent, but just plain weird? I find that a little strange (and maybe a tad unfair). I was always under the impression that all writers are weird to an extent (or just the ones I know anyway) Look at Terry Pratchett! Then again, he's already a famous writer so I guess he can get away with it.

Just so I know, how do you define weird? I totally see your point about an author refusing to go along with the edits to their book, but how do you define a person being too weird?

Incidentally, in case you thought I was, I'm not having a go at what you just said, I'm just curious.