Cover Letters and Literary CVs

Cover Letters

• Write and submit cover letters in a Microsoft Word Document (.doc or.docx file type)
  • DO NOT submit cover letters in the body of an email, PDF, Google Doc shared links
• 12 pt. font size, Times New Roman font style, 1” (2.54cm) margins all around the page
• Double spaced
• Write the date of submission at the top left-hand side
• Write your own name, address, and contact information as a letterhead beneath the date
• Write the name, organization, address and location of the person you address the letter to
• Address the letter to a specific person, group, or position name (e.g. “Dear Hiring Manager”)
• First paragraph should include a brief “Statement of Motivation”
  • State what you are submitting
  • Explain why you are interested and highlight your potential contribution
  • For writing submissions, include the title, approximate word count, and genre
• (Optional) self-declare as a member of an equity group (e.g. BIPOC, Person with Disability). In an effort to support and provide opportunities to diverse writers, the SWG will often ask applicants to self-declare their diversity.
• In the body of the letter, write about your recent, relevant and applicable strengths, knowledge, accomplishments, and experiences
  • Use exact keywords included in the posting’s guidelines and criteria
  • Demonstrate you have some general knowledge from reading and researching about the organization or publication
  • Describe your qualifications (e.g. writing experience, informal and formal training, formal education)
  • Describe your experiences (e.g. teaching, mentoring, writing, editing, professional development)
  • Mention some recent examples and details
• Last paragraph should include a thank-you, a reminder of what and why you are applying, and how to contact you
• End with a sign off and your name

Selected Literary Curriculum Vitae (CV)

CVs are similar but different from resumes. A CV provides comprehensive, specific, and selected detail about your qualifications and experiences. It highlights how you fit specific application requirements. A Literary CV is all about writing. Follow the general guidelines below to help design your CV:

• Recommend 12 pt. font size and Times New Roman font style
• Follow these best practices when creating your CV:
  1. Review the specific guidelines, criteria, and qualifications from the application
  2. Write down keywords included in the application (e.g. evaluating, critiquing, proofreading)
  3. Sort key words into categories (e.g. editing)
  4. Name the categories and use each as a section heading on your CV (e.g. Editing Experience)
  5. Write short, bullet points or 3-sentence statements describing how you’ve demonstrated and fit the specific guidelines, criteria and qualifications
  6. (Optional) provide specific examples and describe details
  7. Order section headers based on importance and customize or add new ones as needed
  8. Prioritize relevant headings and recent examples so your CV is not more than 4-6 pages long
• Use your own judgement to decide what sections or components are important to include, but here are some section headers to strongly consider:

• Personal Information
  • Create a letterhead that includes your name, address, and contact information

• Education and Training
  • List informal and formal writing education experience (i.e degrees or certificates, professional development opportunities like classes, workshops, Sage Hill or other writing and/or writing-related experiences)
  • List any recent informal or formal training
     
• Publications
  • List any recent and relevant single publications and books you’ve published, and where possible, indicate their genre (poetry, nonfiction, fiction, spoken word, play/scriptwriting, etc.)
  • List any recent and relevant book reviews
  • List any recent and relevant published plays and/or scripts
  • List any recent and relevant published journalism articles
  • List any recent and relevant published newsletters you've written or edited
  • List any recent and relevant spoken word albums, singles, or EPs
  • (Optional) list works accepted for publication
  • Format according to basic MLA styling for citations:

Author. Title. Publisher, Publication Date, (genre).

• Literary Scholarships/Awards/Grants/Funding
  • List name, date, and awarding institution of recent awards
     
• Teaching Experience and Interests
  • State your area of specialization and competence
  • List recent formal and informal creative writing teaching experiences (e.g. lectures, courses taught, writing groups, facilitated retreats and workshops)
  • List recent mentoring positions
  • List recent residencies
     
• Professional Development
  • List any recent literary conferences, festivals, presentations, workshops, seminars, and retreats you’ve presented at or attended (please make the distinction)
     
• Readings
  • Please be selective in listing recent and relevant readings
     
• Professional, Academic and Administrative Experience (Literary Specific)
  • Customize and prioritize based on application’s requirements
  • List recent and relevant paid and unpaid work on committees, executive positions, volunteer roles or juries.
  • List any paid or unpaid work editing, critiquing, or evaluating manuscripts or writing.
  • Write brief statements of examples about related knowledge, special skills, abilities, and accomplishments
     
• Professional Membership / Membership & Associations (Literary Specific)
  • List recent or current memberships to literary organizations and writing groups
  • List recent or current spoken word teams or ensembles 

• References
  • Read if list of references is required in application
  • If not, write “Available Upon Request” or “Available at Interview”