. Theres a lot of click-bait on Medium about getting to the top of the feed, but I really feel like its a toss up as their algorithm personalizes for the readers with great specificity and they benefit from the long tail of content while you get a trickle of followers. Looking around the Plaza and Westport in Kansas City last nightwe always love going back for a visit! The same rules apply to nonfiction as wellhumor or a light tone can be leveraged depending on the subject matter. We write stories about other people, so having to turn the spotlight on ourselves can be daunting at best and downright cringe-inducing at worse. Damn Delicious Meal Prep: 115 Easy Recipes for Low-Calories, High-Energy Living: Chungah Rhee is the founder, recipe developer, and photographer of Damn Delicious. Do not skimp on the headshot. Takes one minute. For example, if they just completed your serial killer novel, they may or may not be interested in your contemporary romance. Christopher Lentz is the acclaimed author ofOpening Doors(biography, 2019),My Friend Marilyn(historical fiction, 2018) andThe Blossom Trilogy(historical romance). Just a super enjoyable read. Lol. Its like one little piece out of the great, world wide web that I own. This article was a godsend for me in terms of giving me the confidence to create a website even though I am unpublished. Her work has been featured in national publications such asPublishers Weekly,USA Today,Kirkus Reviews,Suspense Magazine,Mystery Scene Magazine,Library JournalandRT Book Reviews. I love Jim Butcher. One of the not-quite-yet-author websites you listed, Emilyrae, happens to live in a nearby town, so I reached out to her. I guess I have to join the ol 21 century eventually. But one really annoying bit about adding an author bio to most books is that you have to copy and paste it for every book. She is a member of SCBWI, QWC and Brisbane Writers Festival. I said to her, Hey, okay if I take a bath? She said, Oh sure, hang on and brought me THIS BASKET full of loofahs and soaps and lotions and a new candle! Ill guess that youre writing some sort of fiction. Blogs that dont have any fresh content for months can be a little depressing for the blogger and for visitors. Weirs mega-blockbuster novel The Martian famously started as a series of blog posts, so its no wonder hes got a sharp-looking blog. To listen to previously published episodes, please visit: fitforjoy.org/podcast, If interested, please email me: valeria@fitforjoy.org. Earn a prestigious honor or academic position? I hope you can be almost as kind to yourself. This credibility leaves the reader with a sense of trust, knowing that whatever they're reading was written by someone who could be called a subject matter expert. If you think this would be lot of fun, you can have an author blog instead of a traditional author website, or you can have a traditional author website with a section for blogging. To contact Patricia about attending your event, email her at BooksByPatricia@yahoo.com. You end up with a behemoth of a bio that no one reads because its too daunting and unfocused. When I was a kid there was a lilac bush right under my bedroom window. I definitely want to check out these other blogs for some pointers. He enjoys pie, as should all right thinking people. . There are some advantages, such as being able to install a popup window to invite people to join your newsletter. Don't be daunted by thought of writing about yourself. This is a truly great author website designed by The Page-Turner Network and worthy of a romance author legend. Jane is a historian at Vermont College and has spent over a decade researching World War 2. Reedsy is more than just a blog. I did make an attempt to write a version of my bio in 3rd person for a query letter. Sometimes they also need paper writing help. Its my favorite scent in the whole world. I love it that Emilys picturewith a big smileis front and center in this website. Ill admit to wanting to crop off the top half of her author photo because shes only in the bottom half of it, but this is one of the best author blogs Ive seen in the cozy mystery genre. Im going to be doing more posts about social media presence for writers, so subscribe to the blog, if you havent done so already (theres a place to sign up on the lefthand side of the page). And ownership is a nice feeling. This was a fantastic post. For instance: With over a decade of writing obituaries for the local paper, Jane has a uniquely wry voice that shines through in her newest collection of essays, which explore the importance we place on legacy. No writers were harmed in the making of this reel! Thanks for sharing. Aww. Thank you for writing this. Thats good information. Only include relevant materials and be as succinct as possible. Bingley during a road trip break. WebMichael Lewis, the author of Boomerang, Liars Poker, The New New Thing, Moneyball, The Blind Side, Panic, Home Game and The Big Short, among other works, lives in Berkeley, I also love taking naps and listening to music. She also conveys a certain attitude by adding a mother****ing Unicorn after her name. Dinners were often spent in silence while family members had their noses buried in books. For non-fiction authors, your credentials are incredibly relevant as readers are far more likely to trust an authority on a subject, while fiction authors can focus more on why they write in a specific genre. How to Write a Terrific Author Bio - Rachelle Gardner , Best Author Websites (Including Unpublished Author Website Examples). This first one is a Twitter bio, and I should note here that the author, Liz Hanson, has rewritten her name on Twitter to Liz Hanson is querying her MG novel in verse. This is so smart: if she participates in Twitter pitch events or if an agent looks her up on Twitter, she looks serious about her writing career. If your book is a spiritual guide to personal growth, some life-affirming positivity will improve your bio. Helen Hoang has a really endearing about the author. Notice that she also uses the bio to establish that she brought personal experience to the writing of her breakout mega-bestseller, The Kiss Quotient, which features a heroine on the autism spectrum. Ive been wondering about when to start an author website and just assumed you waited until you got published. Im an Artist and a Writer. That being said, its not a good idea to start listing every softball trophy you won in middle school. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. More examples with start up authors would be great. Lucy and Mr. Lucy, enjoy spending time with their ten nieces and nephews and are determined to learn to sail so they can live on a sailboat in the Caribbean someday. First-time authors might not be able to include any literary accomplishments, like other best-selling books and prestigious awards. Not only is this the industry standard, it also makes it easier to toot your own horn, which you should definitely be doing here. Hopefully, because youre a writer, youre able to follow the steps in this article to create your own bio. How can you earn media coverage for your book? In no particular order: Courtney Milan's Author Bio Sarah J. I have been writing for Excellent post! Member of SCBWI. (No shame, I promise!). I made up the example to talk about putting the action before the reaction and making more of dramatic moments. This was super helpful -- thanks! What Is #PitMad? Tanks a lot for this post. Thanks in advance. However, you also dont want your bio to be devoid of any personality. Internet is a SCARY place. For example, bestselling author Rick Mofina has Authors of books for adults can do this, too! Check out this post by Kellie Rendina to understand their differences. In no particular order: So, what makes a great author bio, and how can you write one? Examples. Web10+ Unpublished Author BIO Examples 1. Unpublished Writer: You Can Write a Kickass Author Bio! The funny thing is, I need to update mine, too. I know its pretty bare bones now, but I would appreciate any constructive criticism. Adding a bit of color to your bio helps readers imagine who you are. Best Author Websites (Including Unpublished Author Website Examples). When readers trust you, they're more apt to tell the world about your book. on multiple combat deployments. But we and all three dogs are happy to be comfy at home again, too! Unless you have a huge resume related to writingyou've got TV shows and movies and merch related to your booksyou'll probably want to keep it short and sweet. Its funny that one of the hardest things for some writers to write is a paragraph about themselves! Web10+ Unpublished Author BIO Examples. Its entertaining and it suits you so well! Many writersespecially unpublished writers and first-time authorsarent sure how to write a short author bio or a longer introductory one. I need to update mine. 1 million authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meetthem. Say you don't have manyor anyachievements like the ones mentioned. https://www.amazon.com/Judith-Gonda/e/B084KPD5D5?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1635362583&sr=1-1, Thanks, Judithand thanks for sharing your own! Thats why I referred to you as a writer of horror. I loved Jesss characterI ALWAYS love a character whos a little scruffy, a little bit of a grifter. Shes brought everything together very nicely here. Bio Examples Bios irrelevant to the book confuse potential readers. I would love to have you on my podcast: A Quest for Well-Being. It takes a ton of work to build up an audience, and most authors would rather spend that time writing books. Tips on making a persuasive, engaging author bio, Other relevant information you want to share with your target audience, It affirms whether what you have to say is worth reading, It tells your target audience that you have written a book for them, Readers may relate to your personal story, Figure out your genre and target audience. And if youre an author with a website youre proud of, feel free to share a link in the comments! If youre writing an About Me on your blog or website, however, it may be quite a bit longer! Now I know what some of it can actually look like. Lentz made his mark as a corporate-marketing executive before becoming a full-time storyteller. Advocate. And they're also apt to purchase your next one. Rodney is doing a great job on his Amazon Author Page . Gain insight from Kindlepreneur on how you can optimize marketing for your books. David Crumm Media, an imprint of Front Edge Publishing has published three books by author Rodney Curtis. (151 words). You can definitely combine the two in a bio for a website. The right approach for you will depend on your goals, your personality, where you are on your writing journey, and where the biographical information will appear, so Ive tried to include several approaches. The challenge is to weave in as much relevant information about yourself in as few words as possible, in order to entice the reader to stick with you but not overwhelm with information they simply won't care about. Horror. (I know thats dark, but it happens and is worth considering.). Lots of people want to know if they can publish their own work on their website, and the answer is: it depends. And the best part is, if you change the template, it will change it for all your books. Unlike an author bio, a query shouldnt include any mention of what you do for bucks (unless it relates to the book.) One author using their credentials to their best advantage is non-fiction author Amanda Ripley. Im including author bio examples from several different kinds of writers here. In any case, I am sure you would never be so cruel as to judge or dismiss someone else based on their looks. I really liked the way explained each point with examples. Those are some lovely websites. Introduce your area of expertise or your unique personality, depending on the genre. The apartment building setting is terrific and the story has real surprises. However. You can always change the top visual later if you write in other genres later. This can be done subtly, like by referring to your location in your byline: Or you can include a brief illustration of your lifestyle, says Rachel: Jane lives and works out of her home at the base of Mount Washington in New Hampshire, and spends her summers hiking and camping with her two children and husband.. Open up with relevant biographical details. JJ, I apologize to be answering such a sensitive question over 5 months laterI sometimes get behind on the comments with old blog posts. Thanks for the kind words! Unpublished Writers and Websites: Should You Have One and Hello, Bryn. Here are some ideas for what you can put in a bio as an unpublished writer: What you write Why you write it Any awards you might have won for your writing or articles Her latest work is the sequel to her debut novel, In the Arms of a Stranger. If you've won a lot of awards, for example, only include the most impressive ones. For this reason, its important to get your bio right. And youre going to have to stop saying youre lazy. Perhaps the book the reader's holding is part of a seriesdo they know that there are more books? Check out this guide on how to create a customer avatar. Tailor your bio to your genre, target audience, and the individual book its for. Even though I love blogging, I dont recommend it to anyone who doesnt have a real passion for it. Dont haphazardly throw together some sentences and hit the publish button. Your author bio is, naturally, a chance for you to introduce yourself, but its also an opportunity for you to introduce readers to your body of work, and share a little about your writing history. You'll get it in your email inbox right afterward. Micheal is an eclectic minded writer. Not at the same time. Here are the headings that appear before the About the Author section: You should update your About the Author page or individual author bios any time something significant changes in your life or career, especially honors and awards or when your next book comes out. You would think with an MBA in marketing Id be good at delivering messages, but Im horrible. I have my Facebook page where I post things about my writing, and sometimes about philosophy. Novelist and short story writer Brandon Taylor's whole bio is great, but check out his heavy hitting first sentence that instantly tells you everything you really need to know: If youre stuck for words, you can use his bio, and other great About the Author examples for inspiration. Im so glad it was helpful! Wimpy Fart loves Minecraft and writes awesome Minecraft books for YOU because you are the best Minecraft fans in the world. An unprofessional author headshot screams low-quality content. Book publicity takes some preparation and watchfulness, but it can help your book become news. Still, establishing a third-person perspective when writing about yourself automatically establishes objectivity and professionalism, and inspires trust on the part of the reader. I have always had a passion for writing and enjoy the process of crafting stories. Hi Janet! Spring here is ahead of Chicagoland and all the lilacs are in bloom. Can I use what I already have? You might be wondering how credentials work if you're a fiction writer. Before becoming a full-time writer, Lucy pretended to be a normal adult by holding down jobs that included event planner, bartender, newspaper lackey, and yoga instructor. (I only ask that the websites be G- or PG-ratedotherwise, I will remove the link.) The author bio isnt your most important tool. You pay a little more if you wanted penname.com rather than penname.wordpress.com, and the former is a little nicer. It looks unprofessional, scares away potential readers, foregoes an opportunity to connect with your target audience, and leads to fewer book sales. Hi, Maria! Like others, Im a fan of WordPress. At that time, I would say dress simply, work with a professional photographer if possible, and as long as people can see your eyes and your smile, theyll get a sense of who you are and make a positive connection. And when writers set up a website, an about the author paragraph or statement is often front and center. What gets you up in the morning. Book marketing and book publicity comprise two main pillars of book promotion. But in many cases, writing about yourself is more challenging than writing any other prose. I have a rather awkward question Id like to ask you. When my data science program started they wanted us to write weekly blog posts for extra credit. I dont think I have time right now to blog, but should I include perhaps elements of world-building like the main characteristics of each of the alien species that are part of the story? Join 111,585 other authors who receive weekly emails from us to help them make more money selling books. These were some of the best writers websites I could find when I was researching this post, and I tried to include a variety. Niyati Tamaskar is a mother, engineer, entrepreneur, public speaker, and author. Add links to relevant interviews (on NPR or PBS, for example), news articles (ever been featured in. You mention putting up a photograph of yourself. This is your opportunity to show the world what an excellent writer you are, and why they definitely need to get into your book. According to Rachel, Qualifications can include writing courses, college degrees, awards, bestseller lists, and accolades or, for fiction authors, even a lifetime of interest. Here are a few of her examples: Jane has an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College, and was the recipient of the Vermont College creative writing award. Its not that I expect it to get much attention and draw people in, its more that I want somewhere to capture any interest I manage to get through other routes. I always have a hard time writing my bio. How can independent bookshops and self-published authors support each other? Do you, personally, want to be perceived as warm and friendly? Then I erased both of my stories. Experts encourage authors to start their writers bio with a byline (one-liner) that summarizes their profile and the titles of the latest publications. Other than that, I love having my site. How to Write an Author Bio When You Dont Feel Like an AuthorYet As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you're writing fiction, this can still help, but it matters less so. , 50 Science Fiction Plot Ideas and Writing Prompts, How to Get Good Author HeadshotsAnd Why You Need Them, WIP Wednesday Share What YOU Are Up To! How to Write a Killer Author Bio (With Template) - Reedsy Unless these details are relevant to his book if, for example, the book is set in St. Louis or about parochial education or mens hairstyles not much of this tells us why hes the right author for this story. Though it's fiction, readers might like to know that you have a Master's degree in Military History, or perhaps you've got a medical or science background that helped you write your biopunk novel. If your nightmare-inducing horror novel contains a perky and cheerful author description about your love for puppies and former career as a glassblower, you forfeit an opportunity to connect readers with your writing. Very helpful article that has helped me write my author bio for my upcoming book "Move Your Marriage to Greatness" a Marriage Replenishment Work designed to help couple achieve extraordinary accomplishments that are uncommon in many marriages today. Thanks. My road trip book! They were expensive, but I am so happy Ive got visuals to go with the text. How to write an author bio Thanks for the kind words! (Your work is copyrighted whether you file for U.S. copyright or not, though U.S. copyright does help in pursuing an infringement claim.). My website includes both. Notice that the bio is doing much more than just introducing her: its also inviting you to follow her on social media, hire her as a speaker or teacher, and sign up for her newsletter. A man who writes romances, a self-starter who self-publishes and a dreamer who thinks growing old should take longer. The latter is probably more common. She was the oldest of three in a literary household. I dont know whats boring anymore. Their creative writing know-how can produce a bio worthy of a good read and help you better connect with your audience if youre having a hard time with the bio. Most authors dont want to blogin other words, write posts on a regular basis. The author of A Gentleman in Moscow features a book trailer right on the home page, which is something I would probably do with my book trailers (see here and here) if I had a more traditional author website instead of or in addition to a blog. If you're a nonfiction writer, your bio is particularly important as it establishes your authority/expertise to write about the topic in your book and also your credibility with readers. If possible, include links to your website or social media, so people can find out more about you. The content and tone you include in your author bio will depend on several factors: In a print book, your author bio should go in the back matter of your book or on the dust jacket sleeve. Add hashtags to Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and more! Her first cookbook was published in 2016 by Oxmoor House. Thinking about using BookFunnel to deliver your ebooks? I love the alliteration . When Im not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, Im a book marketing nut. Thank you for sharing! Writing a novel was always on her bucket list, and eventually, with Until I Met Her, it became a reality. To write an author bio for your website, follow these 8 tips and tricks: On an authors website, you can go into more detail, list more important works or achievements, and link to other pages on your website to find more info. Can you hire a freelancer to write your author bio? I do think it helps to have some personal information in an author bio, but dont share anything about your personal life that you dont feel 100% comfortable putting out there. Read her writing-related rants and reflections on her Moccasin Cove Mysteries blog. This has been really helpful. The success of all books, whether they're nonfiction or fiction, rely on the credibility of the author. Ive heard great things about Wix, though I havent used it personally. Mia K Rose is a statistics and data analyst who lives in Gold Coast and, though the job may be analytical, loves the realms of fantasy. Take our 1-minute quiz and get your grade. Hes one of my favorites. Sophisticated and original? If you write political thrillers, maybe your credentials come from the time you spent working for a three-letter agency, or maybe you write police procedurals because you were once a cop. Probably because it involves writing about ourselves. She also runs her own business as a freelance editor and virtual assistant for other business owners. My own author bio is listed just below for reference (and ridicule, if you like). Again, thanks for the great post. Depending on your niche or subject, not sure. This isnt to say that your bio should be impersonal. (Lots of them are also visual artists, for instance!) WebFor example, for an unpublished author bio, you will need to highlight the personal projects you are working on, personal interests and career/academic trajectory. Thanks for all the great ideas. An author bio is a brief passage, usually about a paragraph, that introduces an author and sums up their work, their authorly credentials, and anything else their readers might need to know about them. He also writes non-fiction, on subjects ranging from personal finance to astronomy to film, was the Creative Consultant for the Stargate: Universe television series. If someone learns more about and relates to the author, they are much more likely to buy. For fiction writers, your ideal reader may be looking for a unique, exciting personality to come out through the bio. You know what you should do. Unfortunately, most programs like Vellum and Scrivener do not have a way to do templates where you update a single Author Bio page, and it gets updated across all your books. Now you need to write the actual words of the bio. An author bio is unique to the writer, so everyones will look different but by following our 4-step process and using the author bio template, youll include everything you need to maximize your chances of winning over readers. Ive had a wordpress.org site for about 2 years. If someone is reading this article, it is highly unlikely that they can boast being bestselling authors or share that they are on the third book of a highly successful series. I love it when you share resources like this . Meet your dream marketer on Reedsy. Though you are the person who is more than likely writing your bio, you want it to sound as though someone else wrote itsomeone who's objective and not biased toward you. How To Write a Good Author Bio (When You Havent Done Much Yet) List those journals, magazines, anthologies, and/or individual publications. How to Write an Author Bio Examples & Tips to SELL And the worst things fly out of her mouth. Oops, sorry Bobthe anonymous comment was me. Boomer Sooner! Update all your old bios. Patricia has been a keynote speaker and presenter at various events. Penn. Thanks again, and happy new year! But I dont want to just go with the first hit on the google search, you know? Thats original and so, wellinviting! Do you have to do this? The author bio establishes you as the kind of writer whom your target market ought to read. By day, shes an analyst for an advanced technology corporation, but in honor of her mother, Robin has become a passionate advocate for those who battle Alzheimers disease. 1. You also don't need to have lived the life you're writing about. Author Bio To help you put together your own killer bio, weve created this handy template, including a checklist of what to include and what not to include. Start With An Introductory Byline. Thank you so much. Author bios are not a place for you to delve into a lengthy explanation of your history. What I find interesting is his use of bullet points in a bio. Joanne Machin does other things besides write, and thats true of a lot of writers. Her speaking and media appearances include her signature TEDx talk, a cover and feature spread in Columbus magazine on her journey and message of destigmatizing cancer, and a video created by Breastcancer.org on How Niyati Tamaskar Overcame Cultural Cancer Stigma to Become an Advocateaimed at highlighting the minority experience while facing cancer. Unfortunately, Suffusion is no longer available, but Im pointing that out to say that you can get great professional results from free WordPress themes! I think it can be really challenging to figure out how to present yourself online. The author bio establishes you as the kind of writer whom your target market ought to read. I am working on self-publishing my first novel, a romantic space opera on a limited budget. Can't we directly say " Hi I am a blogger from so and so .". Determine your target audience, and tailor your bio to attract those specific readers. I guess you could call it my author site. I personally think that if youve hit the NYT and the USA Today, saying youre also an Amazon bestselling author is a bit beside the point, but its no big deal! A Family and Marriage Therapist by profession, Lena uses first person narrative in I read it back in 2020 and have referenced it several times in the last year. Adam Silvera is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END, MORE HAPPY THAN NOT, HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME, INFINITY SON and INFINITY REAPER. This is awesome, but i am seeing in this days mostly hide there Bio in Blogs, But they don't know In The Blog Author Bio is also a Ranking Factor in the Google Search Ranking. However, there are hundreds of thousands out there, so if you have suggestions for other awesome author websites, Id love to hear them! Check out these 25 authors who absolutely nailed their authors bios, and don't be scared to take notes! Dont ask her about her work with the U.S. Secret Service, shes sworn herself to secrecy. Point them in the direction of relevant work. Im a person with a lot of self doubt, so not trusting my code or calculations, I kept away from writing anything analytical believing people would find a mistake in my coding or math and stick it to me in the comments (or in person). So put a little work into your bio, and you wont regret it. A free formatting template generator to format books in Microsoft Word. Looking to publish? Hopefully, you had a type of reader in mind when writing the book. Yes, you can hire a freelance writer or a ghostwriter to write your author bio to make sure its as amazing as it should be. I think its so interest that you have such a balance between numbers and data, and creativity. I really am tech-phobic with a high dose of author-avoidance.