I'm about to send some sample chapters to an agent and their submission guidelines ask taht I include a CV.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to what I should include in a CV - and what might be deemed inappropriate?

Would they really be interested in my Computer Science degree, and a potted history of my main career (from which I am now retired)?

Any ideas?

John, only mention your career if it’s relevant to what you’ve written. For instance, if the novel is about a restaurant, and you’re a chef, or if you’re an MP writing political thrillers, then that gives the details in the story more credence.

Otherwise, what they want to know is your publishing history and/or aspirations. They want to know that you have more than one novel in you. And they want to hear that you are flexible and willing to take advice and do rewrites… but do try to resist the temptation to beg and grovel… they’ve seen it all before… from me!

xx

I always find it difficult to write my own CVs or synopses, but it seems much easier to write them for someone else. If you are struggling, why not post your efforts here for us all to help you with? Nerve-wracking but useful, I would think.

Hi Jumbo,

I did this with the guidance of my MA tutor and basically just put a summary of my education, my writing related work experience, and my current job (under employment I specified that I'd only included writing related and current employment). It was one side of A4 - and I did get an agent phonecall where I'd included this with a submission! If you want to see my example, I can mail it to you.

Cath

Dee, Jane and Cath

Much v sensible advice here! Thank you all very much.

I do have an old CV - so I'll have a go at updating that and emphasising my writing skills and achievements.

Watch out, Pinnochio! (I hope that's spelt correctly.)

But Dee, no begging and grovelling? If not that, what then?

As for posting it, Jane ... I might!

And Cath, thanks for the offer of a look at your CV. I might just take you up on that.

Thanks again

jumbo

Yes, aint it hard writing a CV? And what's it for? I can understand the purpose maybe if you're going for a job on a TV series team or something - but if you write 'literary' fiction (or 'genre' fiction if it comes to that), what possible relevance is there beyond the quality of your work? Unless they're looking for hooks to hang marketing on - but I don't think it's that - or maybe they want to know how old you are - or what ethnicity or class, or where you went to school. If you've never been published seriously, what's the point? Isn't it the work? And who knows whether anyone has another book in them? I had a 'bite' from a good agent not so long ago - someone I just sent a three line spec letter to, saying 'here's 3 chapters from a book called XXXX, if you want more let me know', and this at the end of a long campaign trail of smarming up to previous prospects. But I was tired and disgusted and it worked. Ah, but when I was asked to provide some details about myself, I quailed - I thought of pretending to be someone else - anyone younger - and then told the truth. It didn't count against me. So who knows? Best of luck, Jumbo, keep the faith.

Joe

<Added>

Sorry, Jumbo, my post aint very practical. Dee's advice is right I would say for the generality of attempts.

Best, Joe

Jo

Thanks for this. I'm halway through drafting something. And you're right. It's quite difficult.

All the best

jumbo