Author's bio for the credential-less

Azure Skye · Mar 18, 2007

I didn't want to hijack Dani's thread so I thought I'd start a new one.

What can one put in their author's bio if they have no publication credits, or education directly related to writing. I have a BA in Theatre, does that mean anything? :tongue

I would like to put something meaningful in there. For those who have no credits, and have submitted, what did you put? Did it get good feedback or was it ignored?

Sage · Mar 18, 2007

In a query letter, you can add the college you graduated from (if you want) & that it's your first novel. Nathan Bransford answered that question for me in the "Ask an Agent" forum. Also I see a lot of example queries on agents' blogs that have the same info ("I graduated from Awesome University in 2008. This is my first novel")

aadams73 · Mar 18, 2007

For the manuscript I'm submitting right now, I put in a pertinent piece of information about my background. It tells the agent that my background is such that certain details will be authentic and correct. I've had a couple of bits of feedback on it already(positive--and asking for pages). Other than that I rarely go beyond: I studied blah blah and live in blah blah with my family.

Scrawler · Mar 18, 2007

I'd include the line "Azure Skye is a freelance writer...etc. etc. This is her first novel."

Judg · Mar 18, 2007

For fiction, they are primarily interested in publication credits, although I suppose there's no harm in throwing in your education credits. I've seen more than one agent say not to worry about this, they're not going to refuse to read your manuscript based on your lack of credentials. Good writing trumps all, and all that jazz.

Non-fiction is a completely different ball game.

The Lady · Mar 18, 2007

Apparently if you don't have them, you just leave out that section.

maestrowork · Mar 18, 2007

If you don't have any credits, just don't mention it.

blacbird · Mar 18, 2007

"Dear (agent XXX)"

Kick me. An SASE is enclosed. Thank you.

Sincerely,

caw"

James D. Macdonald · Mar 18, 2007

The author's bio is unimportant in fiction queries and cover letters.

The only time you should mention anything is if it directly relates to your book: the book is set on an Army base and you were in the Army for ten years, something like that.

If there's nothing relevant, don't say anything.

Later on, when they get to do the flap copy for your novel, you can write "Joe has been a toy maker, a grave digger, and the pizza guy. NameOBook is his first novel" and that'll be great.

As for writing credits -- only list the three most recent and prestigious ones. If none, just leave that paragraph out.

PeeDee · Mar 18, 2007

And even if it's somewhere where you do have to include a bio, for whatever reason, don't include non-relevant credits. I mean, a BA in Theater is interesting and useful, but in the query letter for a non-fiction book on sword fighting, it's about as useful as saying "...and I like puppies."

aadams73 · Mar 19, 2007

Scrawler said:
I'd include the line "Azure Skye is a freelance writer...etc. etc. This is her first novel."

Except not in third person. Stick to first. Agents often talk about how fricken weird it is when writers go third person for the bio.

AllieB · Mar 19, 2007

The one thing I might add is that it wouldn't hurt to join a writer's group. There are many genre-specific ones out there. I joined RWA when I first started querying not so much for the benefits of belonging but so that I could mention it in my queries. It's not a huge thing but it does tell the reader you're serious enough to do research about the genre, etc. I think this wouldn't hurt even if you're writing mainstream.

scarletpeaches · Mar 19, 2007

What if you never went to college or university? It seems to be a lot more common to do so in the US than the UK and the majority of people I know didn't seek out further education.

I didn't, and have nothing to put on an author bio. No further education, no writing-related qualifications at all, no former publication credits, nada.

So if an agent specifically asks for a bio, what on Earth do I put?

CaroGirl · Mar 19, 2007

scarletpeaches said:
What if you never went to college or university? It seems to be a lot more common to do so in the US than the UK and the majority of people I know didn't seek out further education.

I didn't, and have nothing to put on an author bio. No further education, no writing-related qualifications at all, no former publication credits, nada.

So if an agent specifically asks for a bio, what on Earth do I put?

That's tough. I guess any sort of experience that might relate to writing. A writers' group you attended, a writing class you took, a writers' conference you went to. All of those would be relevant for a writer without publishing credits (like me!). If you haven't done any of those things either, perhaps its time you did. Although, your writing might just stand on its own without any credits or experience.

Writer14 · Mar 19, 2007

I guess if you don't have any credits you could mention contests you've entered or something.

^Kind of the first thing that popped into mind so I thought i'd say it. ^^

Toothpaste · Mar 19, 2007

Don't put anything. Seriously. If you have no credits, don't put a thing.

Azure Skye · Mar 19, 2007

PeeDee said:
And even if it's somewhere where you do have to include a bio, for whatever reason, don't include non-relevant credits. I mean, a BA in Theater is interesting and useful, but in the query letter for a non-fiction book on sword fighting, it's about as useful as saying "...and I like puppies."

But I do like puppies. :tongue

Ok, but what if you're a member of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators? Not that I am, yet, but if you are do you include it?

C.bronco · Mar 19, 2007

PeeDee said:
And even if it's somewhere where you do have to include a bio, for whatever reason, don't include non-relevant credits. I mean, a BA in Theater is interesting and useful, but in the query letter for a non-fiction book on sword fighting, it's about as useful as saying "...and I like puppies."

Does that work? The puppy reference, I mean. I avoid biography in my letters. My lack of credits are just too traumatizing to include, although once I did get a request for a partial when I said "My writing credentials are scant" in my query.

Saundra Julian · Mar 19, 2007

I don't think being a member of any group is going impress an agent! You pay the membership fee, you're a member, doesn't mean you can write a decent book!

AND if you won a prestigious contest, I could see that being something to add but just entering a contest is no biggy...we all have.

Why would you include a statement about this being your first book...does it really matter? If you list NO credits he/she will know.

Azure Skye · Mar 19, 2007

C.bronco said:
Does that work? The puppy reference, I mean. I avoid biography in my letters. My lack of credits are just too traumatizing to include, although once I did get a request for a partial when I said "My writing credentials are scant" in my query.

I like puppies, rainbows, pink unicorns, and long walks on the beach. Teehee *snort* teeheeeee

Ok, what was this about again?

FloVoyager · Mar 19, 2007

Everybody has life experience of some kind, and some of it usually ends up in their writing. Maybe figure out where your experiences relate to your writing and include that?

ORION · Mar 19, 2007

I put that I was currently working on my PhD in education and that I had attended the Maui Writers retreat and worked with Jacqueline Mitchard.
I think that is the best reason for going to writers workshops. Being able to say that you worked (even briefly) with an author in your genre.
Not having any publishing credits did not hurt me.
That being said, my agent did tell me that she did not even read past my premise on my query letter before emailing to ask for the full. In the beginning of my query letter I told her I pasted pages at the end and that is the next thing she looked for.
So if your premise (or hook) is enticing enough and your pages are good--the lack of publishing credits with not be a deal breaker -
If your premise is lackluster and pages not compelling -- no amount of prestigious credits will motivate them to ask for your work.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 19, 2007

Saundra Julian said:
I don't think being a member of any group is going impress an agent! You pay the membership fee, you're a member, doesn't mean you can write a decent book!

AND if you won a prestigious contest, I could see that being something to add but just entering a contest is no biggy...we all have.

Why would you include a statement about this being your first book...does it really matter? If you list NO credits he/she will know.

I agree about groups. Being a member of any group means nothing. But attending a workshop, such as Clarion, can make an impression, and can move your query to the top of the must read stack.

Author's bio for the credential-less

Huh?

Our Lady of Parentheticals

A Work in Progress

Bored fanatic

DISENCHANTED coming soon

Critical Member

Fear the Death Ray

Your Genial Uncle

Where's my tea, please...?

A Work in Progress

Living the dream

Christina.

THE RECKLESS RESCUE is out now!

Huh?

I have plans...

A work in progress

Huh?

Will write for chocolate

Sailed away years ago