By: Stephanie Burkhart
Happy Thanksgiving! I know this week will be a busy one.
There's grocery shopping, hunting down turkeys, baking pies, and decorating.
It's a time to enjoy family and friends. From the 4RV family and me, enjoy the
holiday! Don't forget to take a moment and give thanks for those special people
and moments in your life.
As you go about marketing your latest release, one request
that always comes up is your author bio. It's needed for the back of your book,
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, (the booksellers), your author's web page, blog
entries, and query letters to name a few. Each request needs to be
"tailored" to fit. Some author bios are expected to be shorter than
others.
What should be in an author bio? I'd recommend making bullet
points first. Include everything.
Where you were born
Schooling
Highest degree obtained
Achievements
Accomplishments
Travel
Married
Children
Likes/dislikes
Outside activities
Pets
Now that you've got your bullet points, it's time to write.
My tip: infuse humor when you can. A little humor goes a long way to attracting
potential readers. Also try to go in chronological order of what's happened in
your life.
A "full" biography might take 150 words. Try not
to go over that. Consider using that bio for query letters and the back of your
book.
A "medium" sized bio might not be so
comprehensive. I'd say it should consist of roughly 50-75 words. Include where
you're born, highest degree obtained, accomplishments, and 1-2 personal items.
A medium bio is also good for query letters, your web pages, and depending,
blog spots.
A "short" bio is one-to-three sentences that
should tell a snippet about you. Focus this bio on what you're doing now.
Here's mine roughly:
Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She enjoys writing
romance and children's novels. A cub scout mom, she also own a very sweet
golden retriever who loves to counter surf. Her 4RV books include "The
Giving Meadow" and "First Flag of New Hampshire." You can find
her at: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
Another tip: If you can, leave a link for your website or
blog.
I use my short bio mostly for visiting blogs, but I always
have it handy when I meet people, for the back of business cards, postcards,
bookmarks, and other promotional opportunities.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments, and feedback for
composing author bios. It's a great marketing tool to have!
