Hatrack River Writers Workshop: How to list a credit?

This is topic How to list a credit? in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Ethereon (Member # 9133) on :

A couple questions about listing a publication credit in your cover letter for people who have experience with this:

1) Format:
My short story "Title," is forthcoming in Magazine.
My short story "Title," is available in the _____ issue of [i]Magazine[/i*.

Is that how you do it? I believe I read in another thread that it's okay to list forthcoming publications. Right?

2)I know you should only list pro publication credits when submitting to pro markets, but what about new pro-paying markets? Could you still list such a credit when submitting to an established pro magazine?

Posted by tchernabyelo (Member # 2651) on :

My query letter normally goes like this:

"Please find attached story X for your consideration.

I have sold stories to a number of markets including X, Y and Z.

I look forward to hearing from you."

That's it. X, Y and Z are normally tailored to the relevant market (i.e. they will usually be pro sales but I would mention particularly similar markets if I had the right kind of sales - e.g. if I were subbing to an SF market I might mention Daily Science Fiction and IGMS, rather than Beneath Ceaseless Skies and Fantasy).

Listing the names of stories or which issue they are published in has never seemed relevant to me. The fact of the sales is all that's needed, establishing you as someone with a track record of being able to produce quality work - the editor is, after all, far more interested in the story you have submitted to him/her, rather than the ones you sold to other people.

Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :

If I may ask an additional question...

Would you put an honorable mention on the list of accomplishments or no?

I can't decide if they would think that was a good thing because it's top 5%, or a bad thing because I didn't win.

Axe

Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :

I think a mention that you've gotten somewhere in WotF is justified. The fact that you're working on WotF means that you're more serious than the next schlub in the pile with no credits, right? That's my theory anyway.

Posted by Ethereon (Member # 9133) on :

Thanks tchern. That makes sense.