Writing your first novel is an endeavor that takes perseverance, but writing your author’s bio can cause the most loquacious of authors to freeze. What should you include? What can be left out? And most important of all, what do your readers want to know and that will encourage them to buy your book?
Here are 5 tips to writing your author’s bio.
1. Write your bio in the third person. While writing your novel you probably struggled here and there with the invisible critic that seems to be ever close. That critic rears up again when the time comes to write your bio, which is why it’s best to write your bio in the third person. This will create some distance and you may find it easier to talk yourself up.
2. Figure out what facts are relevant to your story. Where you were born or raised is probably only important if you are writing about that particular area. Telling about your previous or current career will also only be important if it ties somehow to what you have written. Degrees and education should be dealt with in a similar fashion. If they lend you credibility for your writing mention them, if not, leave that information out.
3. Always be sure to mention any awards, contests, or achievements related to your writing you have acquired. No matter how insignificant you may feel they are, they will show you are serious about your craft.
4. Are your characters quirky? Is that what brings them to life, if so use that same quirkiness when writing your bio. If you have a sense of humor that comes through your writing, find a way to share something humorous.
5. Your bio should be accompanied by your author’s photo. Give your photo some careful thought. For many of your readers, your photo will come to represent your brand. Do you want to be perceived as knowledgeable? Thoughtful? Funny? Brave? You may want to consider hiring a professional photographer and discussing the impression you wish your photo to give to your readers before you sit for your picture.
You will need two or three bios: a short one for queries and such, a longer one for your book cover, and sometimes just a one or two liner. Read the bios of other authors before you begin and see what stands out to you about each. Which ones compel you to check out their work? Then write several versions and share them with other authors who can also help give you feedback. And remember, just like a resume, your bio should be updated regularly.
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D. Jean loves to tell stories of personal growth – where success has nothing to do with money or fame, but of living life to the fullest. She is also the author of the novels: Perception, Rocky's Mountains, and Fire in the Hole. The Mermaid, an award winning short story, was published in the anthology, Tales from a Sweltering City.
She is a wife, mother, grandmother and business coach. In her free time . . . ha! ha! ha! Anyway, you can find more about D. Jean Quarles, her writing and her books at her website: www.djeanquarles.com
You can also follower her at www.djeanquarles.blogspot.com or find her on Facebook.
7 comments:
Jean, these are helpful tips on writing your author bios. And, they really are important and should be created with thought.
Jean, your bio is a great example your the tips you shared. Thanks.
Great advice. The quirkiness really works if if matches your book. And I always like it when I read some random tidbit about the author.
Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it, Roofing!
Just another quick tip. I put several bios All the different sizes in my media kit so that editors can just copy and paste the one most suitable for their purposes. More ideas like this in my eyes The Frugal Book Promoter. Http://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromo.
Carolyn, what an excellent idea. I'll have to do this on my site. :) Thanks!
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