All right, before you say anything, I know I have a short biography on this blog. I hated writing it but did it. And I have written biographies that accompanied my work in a publication. Editors want credits more now, though.
Credits are what REALLY trip me up. I don't like including them. It is not about being too modest or being afraid the places I am published in won't be familiar. It is going back to the cover letter problem in general.
I don't like arrogance and, shoving a bunch of credentials in someone's face, sure seems like it in some form. Besides, how do my other poems have basis on my new work? They don't. One poem I wrote may be awful, my next one may not be.
Also, there is bias forming there. An editor may not want to even GLANCE at my poems unless I list publications he/she knows. How is that fair? Am I worth reading because I am published while, someone BETTER than me, isn't? I am not saying every editor uses it this way but some have admitted to doing so and worse.
What do YOU guys think? Am I just behind the times or being too "artist blind"? I still add them to my biography if asked but...
Hmmm, I don't have any credentials right now, so I have no idea how to comment on this. I'd imagine its all in how its said though...but you're right, if its said wrong it could come off as arrogant.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit more worried about the bias thing. Do you think editors are looking for who to "read" by requesting credits at times?
DeleteIf that is what they ask for, then you should follow their guidelines. I can understand not want to shove the credentials at them. And it is true that a work should stand on its own merits, but sometimes it just doesn't and that is how the publishing world (traditional) works. Rather than a cover letter, you could create what is called a "Writer's Resume" which lists your credits (and it is best confined to one or two pages). Resumes should not be overly detailed unless it is requested to be. I can see your point, and it is true that some editors or judges in contests will go with what they are familiar with. One can never know because judging and choosing is left up to individual taste, and even when rejected, it might not always be for a solid reason except the editor just didn't like the material or the theme. Who knows? That is why when submitting to follow guidelines and if a publisher only does non-fiction, then only send non-fiction. If they require a certain format, then accomodate them. That is all you can do in order to play by the rules in their world. that is why sometimes, if you want to do things your way, self-publishing might be your best option. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI do what they ask, I just don't like it. An editor got back to me recently and said she wanted the PIECE'S publication history and not mine. She said she would clarify in the future. Well, oops! It's important to know if it's a reprint, we can all agree on that.
DeleteI don't like using my credentials for anything, either. I do my best to put as little on a resume as possible. But, the professional world wants someone who has already been there and done that...someone who is not a risk. But, I think that this will change some in the future. Taking a risk is becoming slightly more popular.
ReplyDeleteWith writing, I would think it would matter little what your background is as long as the writing speaks for itself. Of course, they are exceptions like a nonfiction book proposal but still.
Deleteugh, I feel the same way! I hate doing it in interviews too... talking myself up like I'm some amazing person. It feels so arrogant. I never used to do well in interviews because I was under the idea that my work had proved my merit... but NOOOOO they want candidates who will dazzle with how wonderful they say they are. lol
ReplyDeleteI've gotten over that tho, and have learned to play the part when necessary. Since I don't have any pub credits to list, I haven't come across this yet, but I totally get what you're saying. Just play the part.
But there's a reason I'm not in Hollywood, I can't act! lol
DeleteI understand what you're getting at, though. Isn't modesty still somewhat charming?
I understand marketing purposes and all that but, with poetry, you're probably not going to get rich picking up someone's poem from the slush. Individual poems aren't about incredible amounts of marketability...
So, we end up back to doing it the easy way and paying more attention to someone already established. *Sighs
I just write my biography as I want it to be. I don't try to think of whom it might influence or not influence. I think if we are 'unknown' we have to fight our way to being 'established'-no easy task.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how much attention editors pay to them. It probably just depends on the editor.
ReplyDelete