Spotlight on Your Blog
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 Question of the day: I don't have any clips since I worked on my college daily newspaper 15 years ago. I started a blog a couple months ago. Should I include a link to it in query letters?
A few years ago, my answer would have been no, that blogging was thought of as sort-of amateurish and a sure-sign that you didn't have any "real" publication clips. Now, I think the waters are murkier as an increasing number of blogs serve as legitimate outlets (albeit unpaid outlets) for writers to demonstrate their skills and their voice. In your case, I think that offering up your blog as an example of your capabilities is better than highlighting your college clips, so yes, I'd include it. Would I stress that it's your only source of "published" writing credits? No. But if you think it's a strong representation of your voice, then, yeah. (And I put "published" in quotes because much as I love blogging - AND many, many bloggers out there - I still will argue that there's a distinction, in terms of editors' perception and prestige, between someone paying you for your work and not. Like it or not. In the industry, there IS a difference.)
That said. Blogs can go many different directions, and maybe this goes without saying, but I would be 200% sure that your blog looks clean, professional, smart, savvy and has zero typos or grammatical mistakes. If you're asking your blog to be representative of the product you can deliver to your editor, you better be damn sure that it's perfect. SO many out there are downright sloppy, and again, if this is your calling card, make it sparkle.
Readers: yay or nay? Has your blog helped you gain entry into the freelance world? Or can it shoot you in the foot? In this case, since our reader doesn't have a lot of clips, how would you advise her?
Magazines
Reader Comments (8)
It's 100% helped me. I've had agents contact me through the blog to read my ms, and one agent (after reading and passing on the ms) read the blog and loved the voice so much, we're talking about writing a nonfiction book.
As long as the blog truly showcases your writing ability and/or voice/personality, i say go for it!
Thanks, Candyland! I agree that for a book/book deal, they're very helpful, but I still think that for magazine pitches, they're slightly less so. Sorry I didn't make that clarification in the article. JMO, of course!
Today a blog, if he/she has one, is part of a writer's calling card, and as you say, if you're going to include it in any kind of correspondence with editors, make sure it's pitch perfect. I have plenty of clips, but I'm still kind of taken aback sometimes when an editor comments on something in my blog instead. And twice I was approached cold by editors who first read one of my published pieces, but then read (or at least looked at) my blog before contacting me to offer an assignment.
While we are on the subject...
My daughter and I started a joint literary blog in March with no serious thought to publication and have readers asking us for a book and a movie! It is by no means grammatically perfect but the voices and story seem to resonate with a wide audience. I am utterly astounded at the response!
Questions: Do I clean it up or leave it alone? Since my only published works were in magazines close to twenty years ago, I have no idea how I would shop this around. Do you have any ideas?
My blog has helped me snag contributor gigs on other blogs. One of which actually pays me (very little). I also had several blog articles picked up by newspaper syndicates for wider distribution.
A few years ago, I would have said that a personal blog wasn't something to put on a resume, but I think that is changing - particularly if you have a following.
I think you hit the nail on the head. If your blog is of professional quality and representative of your voice, than definitely include it. I'd say the water is even murkier for the blogs that aren't quite there but close.
I actually landed an elance (freelance) job through my blog. So I say yes!
I say yes IF the blog showcases your writing well and is professional. I definitely put it on my magazine and book queries! Great post. xo