The hard work we writers go through to polish that memoir, novel, short story, poem or essay is real work. It’s hard, stressful, makes us anxious, doubtful and happy – all at the same time.
Those who do not write don’t appreciate the labor we struggle with but when the finished product is in their hand and the story comes alive, we become one because in the end – the words make the difference.
The promise of celebrity that writers expect isn’t an instant affair. Sure, your family, friends, writer’s circle and local readership all fall into play, but how do you, the writer push your work, your brand – to notoriety?
Submission rules are a part of what we live with. Your work must be submitted to be seen. Editors, magazines, publishers, and agents alike are willing participants on the receiving end – or so we are taught to believe, but many writers fall into the category of “many sent, many rejected” and then “many sent and published, and I’m still waiting on that break.”
“That break” is what we are talking about here. As a writer, your resume, or CV is your passport into the literary world. Yes, the reputation of your writing is important, but professionals in the market want to see what you have and can accomplish. Your CV will start small, “my poem titled Hard Luck was published in the Pleasantville Gazette Father’s Day Issue”. This is the beginning.
If you’ve read “On Writing” by Stephen King, you know he got his start by submitting short stories to magazines and journals. If you are trying to concentrate on that novel, you might want to break away for a little bit and try penning a short story, or two – or three. And an essay or two won’t hurt either. The trick is to get as many works as possible with your name on them out there; in journals, blogs, academic literary magazines, anywhere looking for short fiction or essays to help build your portfolio. And there are tons out there.
I’m not going to tell you that doing this guarantees a novel or memoir being picked up, and many editors say you don’t need prior publication, but you having this out there proves your ability to show your ‘worth’ as an author. True story, I submitted a manuscript to a publisher, I received a rejection letter, but he mentioned in the letter “I’m going to pass on this, but your CV is pretty impressive, send me something else.” Now that wasn’t the kind of rejection letter that I received every day.
There are no set rules, no formula that any writer can share and say, “Do this, and you will receive a publishing contract in the mail”, but through perseverance and tried and true methods that most writers experience, your work and name will gain merit in the literary world. Having a four page CV of accomplishments also does not guarantee instant success for any writer, but on that off chance your query crosses the desk of that agent, or editor, or publisher looking just for what you have listed there, wouldn’t it be great to know that your achievements paid off?
There is a double edged sword on this issue also, can listing too much stuff seem “show-offish”? How much do you list, what do you not share? Again, no rules. That decision would be at your discretion. Less is more doesn’t always work but being able to list a good chunk of work can never be too bad.
Play with it, see how far your CV will take you.
Niki Kantzios
Good solid reminder–most of us don’t like to toot our own horn, but we HAVE to! Thanks!
Jerold Tabbott
How do you manage to write an article for fledgling writer on a very specific topic, without once naming that topic?
Give us a break. We’re not psychic. After the first four paragraphs I just started scanning ahead to find the definition of “CV.” Only towards the very end was there a clue you might be talking about ‘body of work.’
That effort was so annoying I lost all interest in going back and reading your full article.
By the way, what do the initials “CV” actually stand for? Inquiring minds want to know.
Charles Gruber
You might want to know that there is this search mechanism on the internet called Google. You can type your question into a search field and the answer will appear! In fact, many answers will appear! Try it sometime! It’s very helpful, and it takes less time and is less embarrassing than posting a snarky comment on a website.
Terry
Excellent share with good reminders. Thanks Rod!
AMalone
I’ll have to agree with CV monicker question. Wasn’t sure what it meant…still not sure what the initials stand for, although I did enjoy the article.
Thanks Rod
IWI&FTR
Jerold Tabbott
Curriculum Vitae!
My wife, an experienced magazine writer and editor feels that I am not a fledgling writer and should have recognized the term. I disagree on both points, but greatly appreciate her estimate of me, since she is pretty much an intellectual snob when it comes to the use of the English language.
Nevertheless I’m also chagrined to discover that in the fifth paragraph-which I very impatiently scrolled past-you actually did offer an explanation of the abbreviation.
Fine… but even had I recognized the term, I certainly don’t represent the full spectrum of writers who read these articles. So, I stand by my opinion you should’ve explained the abbreviation in at least the first or second paragraph.
And by the way… what’s really the point of titling the article using CV instead of the simple English term resume’? Would you ever have really considered naming it “To Curriculum Vitae or not to Curriculum Vitae?”
I think not.
Heidi McIntyre
Great advice, thanks for sharing. I’ve been toying with the idea writing and submitting short stories to publications and contests and you showed my why this is a good idea.