Becoming publishable

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Gaining Writing Credentials

It’s a bit unnerving to look at sample manuscript cover letters, because there is always that paragraph with impressive writing credentials. I used to read them and think, “If I had those credentials, I’d already know how to write a cover letter!” What do you put in that paragraph if you’re just starting out? Where do you get your first credentials?

If you don’t have credentials, leave them out. You won’t fool anyone into thinking you just forgot to list them but you also won’t draw attention to the fact. Everyone has to start somewhere, and, especially if you’re submitting a completed manuscript, your article will speak for itself.

Submitting to places that accept full manuscripts is a good way to build a few credentials. If you have the skill, your article or story will get attention, even if you’re unknown—not the same attention as one from J.K. Rawlings, but attention, as long as the publication takes open submissions. This way, no one has to take a chance. The editor know exactly what she's getting.

If you’d like to build credentials, you can get them by writing for small publications. Write for one or two small places, and then, when you’ve sold to them, move up a step. It can take a while, but each time you move to a larger publication, it helps to qualify you for the next step up. Choose these locations wisely, though. Study them to see if they publish everything, or if they’re selective. Make sure the material is of reasonably good quality for its place in the status chain. If there is a particular type of writing you’re aiming for at the top, try to find smaller publications that are similar. Having the wrong credentials can be even more damaging than having none at all.

For instance, I have selected editors for online content sites in the past. Often, when a topic on dating, romance, or relationships opened up, I received many applications from people who list their porn credentials. I am immediately nervous, since the articles on those sites had to be family filter friendly. Those credentials actually hurt them because I was leery of what they might choose to write about on our site. In their case, it would have been better not to list any credentials at all. If you want to write for sites with high moral standards later, only publish material with high moral standards now. With the internet, your writing past will rise up to haunt you, and your ventures into R-rated writing can hurt your future career as a writer for children, for instance.

If you want to write a book about an aspect of history, start submitting articles and fiction related to the topic of your future book. Not only do you gain credentials as a writer, but you build credentials as an expert in that field. If you can also get yourself invited to speak before groups or teach a class on the subject, you’ve added to those credentials.

When I am submitting a manuscript on a topic for which I have personal credentials—those beyond writing—I always include them. I homeschooled my children, so articles on homeschooling always mentioned that. If I wrote about disabilities, I mentioned my own. Those credentials give you credibility as an expert on your topic, even if you’re not an experienced writer.

Creating a writing career requires patience and planning. Getting to the top is really no different than it is in any other line of work. You don't start as the president of a company. You start somewhere around the bottom and work your way up. As a writer, you must also work your way up the ladder by tackling smaller publications, even if you are, at the same time, submitting other stories to your dream publications.