In a query, how much should I say about my (lack of) experience?

Question

This is my first book, and I am about to start sending out queries to agents. In the section on querying agents in Writer's Guide, they say a paragraph should deal with your experience. I have no publications of any kind under my belt. I do have an English major from a good university. I have done some freelance proofreading/editing - should I mention that? Do I mention my paralegal certification since my book is a murder mystery? (About 15 hours of my coursework was in criminal law - whopee! But my legal work experience was not in criminal law.)

I don't want to come across as having no qualifications, but I also don't want to include anything that comes across as only marginally legit. Any advice would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Don't mention your lack of experience. Just leave it out. You can mention your English degree if you want to, but it makes little difference to most agents. Don't mention your career unless it is directly related to your story. Just focus on writing a great hook!

Google "Miss Snark" and read her blog. She is a literary agent and God's gift to aspiring writers. You can't spend much time in the publishing world without encountering the Mighty Snark, and the sooner you do, the better for your query letters. Good luck!

Answer 2

You walk a fine line with your query. Mention your degree, mention your paralegal certification, and let their imagination do the rest. The important thing is for them to request your manuscript. If they ask you pointed questions...don't lie...but be what we call "vaguely specific" in your query. Spend most of your time selling the story....not yourself.

Answer 3

It may be good to mention all you said above, but just breifly. DON'T say "I don't have any experience publishing." If you have ANY experience being published in local or campus publications, DO mention that.