Building a Portfolio: Breaking into Print and Staying There

Every time you publish something, whether it's a poem in a literary magazine, a review in an underground zine, or an article in a student newspaper, get a copy of the issue in which your work appeared and keep it on file. This will be used both for reference and photocopying purposes. Photocopy the published piece onto one or more 8 ½ x 11" pieces of paper (you may want to use the photocopier controls to shrink or enlarge the piece) and write the name, date, and number of the issue in which it was published on each page. Make more photocopies from this piece and keep these on file as well (you may want to invest in a filing cabinet). If other articles or graphics on the page threaten to obscure or overshadow your piece, circle it with a colored highlighter.

When you have amassed a sizeable amount of these clippings, take the best ones and call them your portfolio. Start to contact some of the larger markets in your area, calling them first and asking for a name and address that you can send a portfolio to. If you can, find out how many pieces they want to see, but otherwise send between 3-5. Include your resume and a cover letter with a bit of biographical information. If you haven't received any calls or emails within two weeks, call back to remind them of your submission and to ask if they have had a chance to review it.

Your portfolio, like your resume and your style, should keep evolving. Every few weeks, replace older pieces in your portfolio with newer ones. Also, tailor your submissions to the tastes of the publication to which you are submitting. Don't send your article on quilting to Rolling Stone Magazine, no matter how well-written it is. And don't give up. Not many places will hand you a full-time position based on your portfolio, but editors will be more open to building a relationship with a writer who can display both writing ability and previous publishing experience. It is your writing ability that will get you noticed, but your portfolio is an important tool with which to exhibit that ability.

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