What should I include in a writer’s CV?

The writer’s CV is a great opportunity to give an overview of your writing interests and a snapshot of your writing career so far. This blog offers tips on layout, content and what we feel are the essentials to include in your writer’s CV.

A writer’s CV differs from a work/regular CV in that it focuses solely on your literary journey. It is not an overview of your work experience or educational history, unless your education has had a focus on literature (or other relevant subject).

Your writer’s CV might begin with a personal statement that highlights your literary objectives. This can be a short paragraph telling us who you are as a writer, your style, your genre and your goals; for example, are you aiming to have your first novel published by 2025? Are you working on a stage play, and hope it can be adapted for the screen? Have you spent the past five years exploring a specific theme for a poetry collection?

Your writer’s CV may include:

• A personal statement: Offering a brief history, future trajectory, your journey solely as a writer.
•  Your current literary objectives.
• Your educational history: If relevant, include any undergraduate or postgraduate degree or any creative writing courses/workshops undertaken.
• A list of publications: Whether that means books, anthologies or appearances in journals.
• A record of your literary achievements: Have you been awarded grants by arts councils, county councils, or been awarded bursaries or residencies? Have you won a writing competition, or been long or shortlisted for literary prizes? Have you taken part in an Irish Writers Centre initiative e.g. Young Writer Delegates Programme, Foundation, Evolution or the National Mentoring Programme? You may also want to list any appearances such as open mic readings, on podcasts and radio programmes or as a featured guest at literary events.

Even if you are a newcomer to writing, tell us about the early stages of that journey. We want to see your drive and your dedication to literature; the ways in which you have not only showcased your work, but how you have honed your craft. List the workshops and courses you have taken, writing seminars, mentorships you have had or are hoping to lock down.

If you don’t have a published book or a publication in a journal, give us an idea of your style of writing. Who are you influenced by? What writers do you admire? Who would you love to publish your work?
Below is a simple example of a writer’s CV.

Miles Davenport

(also writes under the name Sebastian Pembury)
Havenfold Cottage, Orchard lane, Stationton, Co. Laois, L06 FR56
Phone: 086 008 08 06 Email: stanbury@gmail.com Website: milesofstan.com

Artistic Statement
I am a writer of prose who occasionally dabbles in poetry. Born in Dublin but relocated to the wilds of Connemara since 2016, my move to rural Ireland has not only influenced, but truly changed my approach to writing. My work explores the theme of connection, to both the city and family I left behind and this new, often unforgiving, landscape I am trying to dig my way into. My debut book was a memoir, published in 2023 by Round Tree Press, an honest and often comical look at farming. The memoir follows the journey of a queer Dubliner who begins a dairy farm in the middle of Mayo. I am influenced by the work of Rónán Hession, Donal Ryan and Graham Norton.

Publications (include a link where possible)
• He Even Bedazzled his Wellingtons, Round Tree Press, 2023, ISBN: 9 221848 666000
• ‘Apparently, I was Wrong’, a short story in The Witch journal, 2023
• ‘A Tooth in the Left Pocket’, a flash fiction in the Dentist Daily, 2021
• ‘All about Evelyn’, a short story in Above Ground anthology, 2020
• ‘The Mouse, the Cat and the Monkey’, a poem in The Fleeting, 2014

Achievements
• Agility Award, Arts Council, 2024
• Reading, Writing, a podcast, appeared on the literary podcast to read two short stories and one flash fiction, May / July 2023
• Artist Support Scheme, Fingal Arts, 2020
• 1st place, Goodfellas Poetry Prize, March 2019
• Shortlisted, Emerging Writer award, Ballymullen Festival, 2018
• Featured guest at the Forest Fiction Festival, 2017
• Long listed for the White Pen Chapbook Competition, 2016
• Member of Mayo Grows Words, a local writing group 2015 – present

Education / Writing Courses / Workshops
• Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme, 2024 (six months)
• MA in Creative Writing, University of Galway (2017-2018) 2:1
• Four-month mentorship with Phylis Duncan, 2016
• The Evidence of the Self in the Story, a creative writing workshop in 6 parts, with Edward Oliver, 2015

Current objectives
• To complete the second draft of my novel by the end of 2025.
• To improve my practice as a writer under the guidance of a second writer mentorship.

The Irish Writers Centre is the leading resource and development organisation for writers in Ireland. Each year, we runs up to 20 free and exciting programmes to support writers’ development. Carrying out it’s work on an all-island basis, the Irish Writers Centre offers a range of support schemes, residency opportunities, mentoring, and other development programmes. View more opportunities for writers here.

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