Writing credits

[khosszu]

I'm querying my first novel, and have no writing credits to my name.

Except 2 days ago my short piece (99 words - I know, super short is a better description) was selected in a challenge, and will be featured on a published author's blog.

Does this count? Should I include this in my query?

Thanks for any advice!!!

[bodwen]

Was it a sale?  Agents want to see paid writing credits.  Since they are trying to appraise your talent, they want to know if you are currently earning money with your fiction.

[Falen]

Yeah, no that probably doesn't count.
Don't worry too much about not having pub credits to your name. It's more important to have a solid query and a great MS. 

[khosszu]

Thank you Bodwen and Falen for your advice. I figured it was a no, but I thought I'd ask

[Careyrox]

Be sure to check the individual agents info and website. Today I found one agent who wanted to know experience, even if it was none and one agent specifically said not to put down anything if you are a new writer. They all want/look for something different. Be sure to check! You may be able to use it, depending on who you query.

[khosszu]

Thank you, Careyrox! Wow it's a lot of work to query an agent! And to query more than one....

[LisaAnn]

I agree with everyone that you probably shouldn't stress too much about the credentials. Agents like them, but they LOVE well-written manuscripts way more. 

Let your words speak for themselves, and don't forget that you can highlight other things besides writing credentials if you have them. (i.e., You've just written a medical thriller, and you happen to be a doctor; your story takes place in Vietnam, and you backpacked through there for three months, etc.)

Best of luck to you!

[Midwest]

Another suggestion to check the agent's page. I have queried a few agents who want to know a bit about you personally, writing-related or not, and/or who want to know what inspired you to write the book. Just yesterday, I queried an agent who wants a query to include "something about you that tells me a bit about you, your life, your interests so I can tell if you'd be someone I'd enjoy working with" (or something like that). None of that is about writing credentials, but a means of seeing if there's a connection or something about you that she/he finds intriguing. I wouldn't want to squander the opportunity to stick in some little personal tidbit like that if the agent welcomes it, especially if your writing credentials are limited. At a minimum, if you start w/ their submission guidelines on their agency site, then Google "[agent name] interview" you are likely to find an interview or article somewhere that reveals that kind of information.

[Careyrox]

Ok...this is starting to get weird. Midwest...you nailed it again. It's exactly what I do. Is that considered stalking an agent??? lol!