academic credentials
When sending a query, would you mention a university degree (mine's just a BA in English), or would an editor only care about your academic credentials if you had a PhD?
LindaF New friend
Posts: 5
(10/13/04 3:59 pm) Reply
They don't care...
Unless, you have a degree in the topic you're writing about, editors don't care where or when (or if) you went to school. I have an MA in Slavic Linguistics (go ahead, laugh!) with no experience in English or Journalism, and an editor has never, ever asked me about my educational background. All they care about is that you can write.
Ha!
Youda woman, girl. I've yet to understand why an editor, usually a "literary" editor, wants to know your specs when they should know that it's all in the puddin'.
Re: academic credentials
So would a Psych BA help if I wanted to write about psychology?
aka eraser A fishy character and Mod Squad agent
Posts: 1519
(10/13/04 8:07 pm) Reply
Re: academic credentials
I think a BA in psych would be kind of neutral. It's not enough to qualify you as an expert. As Rich and other indicated, it's the writing that counts, not the initials after your name. I wouldn't mention it.
Re: academic credentials
As a qualified legal assistant I was taught that one of the best places to find experts is in recently published articles and books. This holds especially true in areas where there are no standard college degree experts.
People without degrees have actually become experts to such a degree through publishing that they are recognized by people with degrees. Example, you may have never studied ornithology but you have been writing about the double red breasted twisted nosed barn owl that resides in your area for the past ten years. Guess what? When people with degrees are asked about this rare bird they will point to you as the resident expert. If there is a trial where this bird is a major factor, you may be requested to testify -- as an expert.
miles111 New friend
Posts: 30
(10/16/04 2:00 pm) Reply
Re: academic credential
Writing Again, your post was an interesting addition to an interesting thread.
<<...Example, you may have never studied ornithology but you have been writing about the double red breasted twisted nosed barn owl that resides in your area for the past ten years. Guess what? When people with degrees are asked about this rare bird they will point to you as the resident expert...
This may seem silly, but it is not a bad thing.>>
I think we all wonder about these things, to some degree (no pun intended). Long ago, I was taught that schools are supposed to teach people how to learn. There are plenty of people who spend lots of time and money in school but come away with little to show for it. I'm sure we all know college grads who can barely tie their shoes.
On the other hand, there are many brilliant and talented people who, for various reasons, never obtained a college degree. Truman Capote, Henry Ford and Woody Allen come quickly to mind.
Maybe a degree is not that big a deal for writers because most editors have always known what everyone else would do well to learn: a college degree does not guarantee competence.
jilacqua New friend
Posts: 5
(10/17/04 4:36 pm) Reply
Re:It depends on the type of writing you do.
If you are doing any type of educational, technical, or scientific writing, the degree is important.
degrees and expertise
Well I hope I can swing the book I'm on. It's about the recent discovery of Pleistocene mammals (one of the largest in California) and all I have is 20 years amateur study in vertebrate paleontology. I'm going to approach the subject much like a reporter would, but of course, make sure that I am knowledgeable in all the disciplines associated with the project.
Triceratops
maestrowork Resident Bug Chef
Posts: 4775
(12/2/04 1:57 am) Reply
Re: degrees and expertise
I think it's good to list degrees such as MA in Eng Lit or Creative Writing (but no BA; it's too "entry level"). If you're writing for trade mags, then a relevant degree might be good: PhD in Computer Science, or a Law degree, etc. If you're posing as an expert in animal health, for example, a degree in vet. would be relevant. Otherwise, keep schooling out of the query.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -- MLK
academic credentials
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