AboutVincent M. Wales Expertise I am a writer, specializing in novels (fantasy, science fiction and others) and poetry. While I may be able to answer questions on non-fiction, my specialty is fiction. Please keep that in mind when asking questions.
Experience For four years, I taught a series of fiction writing classes in Sacramento, CA. I've written literally hundreds of essays that are online. My latest novel, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, won BEST FICTION in Fresh Voices 2006, BEST FICTION and BEST YA FICTION in the NCPA Book Awards, and placed as a finalist in BEST BOOKS 2005 (losing to Amy Tan's newest). In 2002, my novel WISH YOU WERE HERE won awards for Best Fantasy and Best Fiction/Drama in the 8th Annual SPA Awards.
Question QUESTION: Hi
In the book "On Writing" by Stephen King he has an example made up query letter where someone writes that they have had their fiction published in non paying or small paying magazines. (listing mag and being paid in copies or small cash, etc)
So I send short shorts to small magazines (non paying)
What do you think on this and if so, how might I put it on query, do I have to state lack of payment?
Thanks
ANSWER: Hey, Demetrius.
Following King's sample query is fine, but by no means do you need to mention anything whatsoever about payment. Any sort of legit publication is worth including in the query.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi
So I just write "I have had fiction published in "Blah Blah Magazine"? Do I include dates or anything else? (Should it look something like a resume) How might you do it?
Thanks
Answer I don't personally think publication dates are necessary, no. I'd say something like:
My short fiction has appeared in XYZ Magazine, Blah Monthly, and Wurdz Weekly. I have had poetry published in RhymeThyme, VerSays, and Couplet Quarterly.
In my opinion, a query should read more like a letter than a resume.
