Using AI to advise me on how to make a portfolio is not what I expected I would be doing with my time, yet here I am. Since I am looking into a non-traditional career path, I didn’t anticipate much unique to be shared or to learn anything new.

I asked Bard: ” I want to create a portfolio as a beginner speculative fiction writer. What should be included in my portfolio?”

This is what it gave me:

As a beginner speculative fiction writer, building a portfolio is a great way to showcase your skills and attract potential readers, editors, or literary agents. Here are some key elements to include:

Writing Samples:

  • Variety: Showcase your versatility by including pieces from different subgenres within speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, etc.). Choose pieces that represent your strongest writing and your preferred subgenres.
  • Length: Include a mix of short stories, flash fiction, or excerpts from a novel (if you have one) to demonstrate your ability to handle different formats and pacing.
  • Quality: Prioritize polished and edited work. Consider seeking feedback from critique partners or beta readers to ensure your pieces are well-written and error-free.

Additional Content:

  • About Me: Briefly introduce yourself, your writing journey, and your inspirations. Highlight any writing-related achievements or experiences, like workshops attended or contests participated in.
  • Genre Interests: Specify your preferred subgenres or areas of focus within speculative fiction.
  • Testimonials/Reviews: If you have positive feedback from previous publications, workshops, or critique partners, include it with their permission.
  • Contact Information: Provide a professional email address or website where potential readers or agents can reach you.

Presentation:

  • Platform: Choose a platform to showcase your portfolio, like a dedicated website, social media page, or writing platform like Clippings.me. Make sure it’s user-friendly and accessible.
  • Design: Keep the design professional and aesthetically pleasing. Use clear fonts, readable colors, and high-quality images (if applicable).
  • Organization: Clearly label your work, including titles, genres, and word counts. Ensure easy navigation for visitors.

Bonus Tips:

  • Tailor your portfolio: When submitting your portfolio to specific publications or agents, research their submission guidelines and adjust your content accordingly.
  • Stay active: Regularly update your portfolio with new work and achievements.
  • Engage with the community: Connect with other speculative fiction writers online and at writers’ groups. Promote your work and exchange feedback.

Remember, your portfolio is a work in progress. Don’t be afraid to start small and build it over time as you improve your writing and gain experience. Good luck!

This is, quite frankly, stuff I already knew. In this field, cover letters are used not to share experiences we have personally had, but rather to share information on the manuscript we are submitting. I didn’t think it would be a useful way to spend time asking Bard how to write a cover letter when it’s less personal and more about hard facts about the piece (word count, genre, etc.). 

The main thing I gathered was that I needed to come up with a way to display my work. This is something that we are going to be doing together as a class, so I’m looking forward to getting that set up. In the past, I’ve considered setting up a dedicated Tumblr blog for my writing, but I think a website is a better way to display and organize my work. 

As for the next steps:

  • I set up an account on Critique Circle last week per the recommendation of Bard. It’s been a wonderful resource so far. I want to continue being active there.
  • I have written three pieces of flash fiction for my Senior Seminar. I want to send the best of those pieces through Critique Circle to get feedback and polish them up.
  • I have to write a longer piece for my seminar. I want to write it ASAP and send it through Critique Circle. After getting feedback from people online and in class, I want to edit and submit it for consideration in Apparition Lit’s 3rd quarter publication for this year, Anachronism.
  • I want to get a website set up. I know this is a thing we’re going to do for class, so I’m excited to start.

This week wasn’t nearly as exciting as I was expecting it to be, but I already knew what it was asking me to do. It’s simply a matter of executing those steps.