Use your author's bio to your advantage

I love reading author's bios. I don't know what I think I will find, but I guess I want to know if the author is someone like me, (which gives me hope that I will be able to finish those pesky novels I've started) or has been given the name of a magic website that writes the books for him or her! (In that case I want to know where I can find that magic website.)

Regardless of whether your bio is for a book, website or magazine/newsletter article, think of it as a business card used to introduce yourself. Here are seven tips for writing your bio:

1) Write in third person.

Make it easy for copy editors to publish the information. When I was a typesetter/staff writer/copy editor at a local newspaper, I edited about 6 million press releases. If there were two press releases of equal importance, and I only had room for one, I would run the one that was already edited professionally and fit our style. Was I lazy? No. It's just that I had so much work that I never felt completely caught up and any little thing I could do to try to lighten the load was a welcome relief.

2) Set the tone.

Some writers keep the information completely formal and professional, while others include personal tidbits for a touch of fun or playfulness. As the writer, you set the tone. If you are writing about the funeral business for members of that profession, perhaps a serious tone would fit best. Keep your readers in mind.

3) Keep it short (but, see next item).

Promote yourself, but don't look at this as a resume or CV (think highlight reel).

4) Write a long bio for special occasions.

If Oprah or the Pulitzer people call, they will need all your background information.

5) List or link to your website or blog or other writing samples.

6) Include current and/or future projects.

7) Have someone edit to ensure professionalism, and correct spelling and grammar errors.

Although there are no hard and fast rules, bios should give readers insight into the author, and create interest in his or her work. Next week I'll share a couple of examples.

Write soon,

Mary

Send it out!

In part six of my four-part series on writing nonfiction, I want to offer some advice on sending your work to publishers, editors or agents.

To find a publisher for your writing, research the market. If it's a nonfiction book like mine, ("Strengthen Your Nonfiction Writing, published by High Hill Press") you need to decide if you want to have it published by an academic or commercial press. The first step is to go to the library or bookstore and find out who publishes the type of book you wrote because that publisher is more likely to publish another.

According to John McManus, assistant professor of U.S. military history at Missouri S&T, if you choose a university press, then find out if it is possible to access some kind of grant to subsidize that cost. For them, the scholarship may be important, so let them know how your book helps them enhance their academic standing. If it’s commercial, let them know how that book is going to make them money, and why is your story better than anything else out there.

When sending a query letter or email, McManus said a couple of paragraphs should suffice. "Tell them why you are the right person to write this book," he said. "If the book is about MIAs, why you? What is your connection to the topic? Maybe your years of research gives readers a different slant." He also suggested naming the competition, and letting publishers know why we need another book like this. Provide information on why these books didn’t get done what you are going to do.

Also provide:

Overview - what’s the book about, maybe three pages

Author information, reviews for previous books, good blurbs, including fellow authors who may give endorsement blurbs

Reader Market (how many Google hits your topic gets)

Promotion - How are you willing to promote your book? Do you have a blog? Can you travel to book signings and conventions to speak?

Resources Needed to Complete the Book

Chapter outline with chapter titles

Sample Chapters - this is to entice them, it doesn’t have to be exactly what you turn in, but sometimes things change and it may not fit anymore.

Finally, keep in mind that anyone interested in publishing your book will probably need to defend that decision. Providing the information listed here might make it easier to persuade a committee or the publisher, who may, in turn, give your book the green light.

Write (and send it out) soon,

Mary