Writing Your Author Biography

Every writer - no matter what you write - needs an author biography to include under his or her byline. In a published book, the author biography usually goes on the back flap of the dust jacket, while article writers will typically see their biography at the base of their work. It is also important to send your author biography to potential publishers along with query letters, book proposals or manuscripts. It gives them an opportunity to get to know you - where you've been, what you've done, and what your goals are.

Third Person

Although this might be difficult for some writers, author biographies should always be written in the third person. In other words, you would say (about yourself): John Smith was born in Easely, South Carolina, and now resides in San Diego. Never write your author biography in first person - it sounds unprofessional and will mark you as an amateur. Besides, who wants to read an author biography that says, I was born in Kentucky and I really hope you enjoy my book?

Where You Live

Your author biography should state where you live and where you're from. For example, if you were born in Houston, Texas, say so. However, if you live in a small town that no one is likely to have heard of, it is acceptable to say that you live in the closest major city. I live in Katy, Texas, which is twenty miles west of Houston, so my author biography states that I live in Houston. Your readers will want to know where you live, especially if you write novels based in your hometown.

Previously Published Works

Always include any previously published works that are relevant to the current work. For example, if you have written a book on beginning photography and you've published several articles in Photography Magazine, then you would include the titles of those articles in your author biography. However, if you've only published articles in Parenting, you should leave those out. Publishers and readers only want to know about previously published works that have to do with what you're writing now in your author biography.

Goals & Aspirations

You'll find that almost all books have author biographies on the dust jacket.

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