Author Biography

[Dreamer3702]

I am supposed to make a website, but I have no idea what to do about my bio. I have looked at other people's bios, but I just don't know where to start. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone have any tips? For those of you that have bios, can you post them here along with your tips and tricks. Thanks!

[Shadow_Ferret]

You write about yourself in just a couple paragraphs. The pertinent information. Like if you're married or single, if you have kids or dogs. Where you've published some of your short stories, if you have, or what novels you have published.

It's nothing to sweat about.

It's something like:

Shadow Ferret is currently sequestered in his Milwaukee cape cod with his wife of 17 years, his two sons, and their two dogs, while writing the sequel to his New York Times bestseller Road to Rune.

If I find my real one, I'll post it.

[brittanimae]

Shadow's right--the bios I like best are short and sweet, and hopefully have a note of snarkiness to them. Hope this helps!

[Dreamer3702]

Here's my problem:

I'm not married yet, but will be in less than 5 months. I have no children or pets. This is my first published piece. I didn't go to a fancy collage and have not graduated yet. My greatest achievement is writing my novel and (hopefully) getting it published (soon). Oh, my black belt in Taekwondo.... I'm pretty proud of that too.

I'm not very exciting.

[SageFury]

I posted my youthful years of walking through the woods adventuring and playing games then growing up I did art in school and etc...

Just write moments you think can relate to others...

Did you always want to be a writer? no? what did you want to be or try for before writing or yes what made you wanna write? and so on =)

[Birol]

Dreamer3702 is currently counting the days until he becomes happily incarcerated in marital bliss. In the meantime, he practices Taekwondo, studies <insert major> at <insert college name>, while simultaneously scouring the New York publishing houses for someone to publish <insert title>, which is his first novel.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Lori takes paypal, by the way.

[Dreamer3702]

Lori takes paypal, by the way.


LOL.

Lori - I see what you mean. Thanks for the example. BTW, I'm a girl. :)

Do you think it would be ok to say what I study but not where I go to school. My uni is the bastard child of Indiana Uni. and Purdue Uni. The initials are IPFW and its been referred to as "I Paid For What?". It's not something I want on the dust jacket of my first novel.

[Birol]

You can say, or not say, whatever you want. I don't say lots of things in my bios. Mostly, I just accuse other people of holding me hostage while I don't do things.

[Birol]

Oh, I've got one, adjusting for my earlier gender confusion:

Dreamer3702 has promised not to use the skills she learned while gaining her black belt in taekwondo to make her fiance take out the trash if he promises not to leave the toilet seat up. While waiting to say 'I do,' she's simultaneously completing her Bachelor of Arts in Underwater Basket Weaving* and shopping her first novel around to prospective publishers.

*Change out with your real degree.

BTW, if I write something for you using your information and post it on AW, you are free to use whatever parts of it you desire. If you like it, it's my gift to you. You don't have to treat it just as an example.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Here, I found mine:

Shadow Ferret’s writing credits include several short stories, blah blah blah published in Blah Blah. He was co-editor/publisher of a local small-press fiction magazine called Blah Blah in which he published several short stories and poems. He also wrote a long-running personal opinion column for the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Times student newspaper called “Upon Reflection.”

He is currently sequestered in his Milwaukee cape cod working on his next novel. Well, as sequestered as one can get with a wife, two boys, a hyperactive Dalmatian, and an even more hyper Jack Russell.

In his spare time he listens to his vinyl collection of classic rock from the '70s or watches his DVD collection of '60s television shows. He also reads fiction, practices Tai Chi, and pretends he can play guitar.

[mikeland]

My uni is the bastard child of Indiana Uni. and Purdue Uni.

I'd work that phrase about your university into the bio. That's good copy, if you're willing to take a little lighthearted jab at yourself.

Taekwando and getting married are good fodder.

What's the deal with the mini-pig in your avatar and signature? I could see that working its way in somewhere.

As others said, anything goes.

You say this is your first publication. What exactly is this bio for?

I suppose that certain publications have certain styles for the bios. Some might not be interested in bios that extol the virtues of mini-pigs. You can always check out the other bios in recent issues of the publication and see if anyone displays a sense of humor.

One other point. If we are talking about a bio that is accompanying your first published story/poem/whatever, you might want to include "This is her first published story". Most editors groove on discovering brand spanking new writers and like to include that in the bio.

[SageFury]

Hes mine from my site =)

Growing up in a small town forced me to find places of interest to make life where I lived generally exceptional. When I was not in school I would be outside adventuring through different parts of town from woods to highlands. When the weather trapped me indoors I would play video games of all kinds that where storyline based (RPGs). Always being a fan of stories, adventure, & fantasy worlds I eventually created my own world through bits and pieces of dreams, experiences, and ideas.
I am a college graduate in the field of multimedia with a minor in art. My educational experiences have been propelled into many directions learning computers, woodworking, carpentry, graphic design, and many others classifying me as a jack-of-all-trades. I plan to further my education once I become a full time writer and illustrator for my book series Blah Blah.
I am what they call a background person, most of the time I listen and talk very little studying my surrounds and the people within. I do go out socially when I have time to spend with friends and am willing to go out to a dance club if the opportunity presents. I like to shoot pool but I’m not the best at it but exceptional when a good song is played in the background. Gaming is another fundamental process of my life to help rid my mind of stress and at the same time play with friends and have fun.

Three Steps:

Background
Education
Personal

That is the usual method i go by =)

[Dreamer3702]

Dreamer3702 has promised not to use the skills she learned while gaining her black belt in taekwondo to make her fiance take out the trash if he promises not to leave the toilet seat up. While waiting to say 'I do,' she's simultaneously completing her Bachelor of Arts in Underwater Basket Weaving* and shopping her first novel around to prospective publishers.

*Change out with your real degree.

Why would I want to change it? Your's is a lot more funny and I like funny.
P.S. You accept pay pal, right? LOL


Originally Posted by Dreamer3702 View Post
My uni is the bastard child of Indiana Uni. and Purdue Uni.
I'd work that phrase about your university into the bio. That's good copy, if you're willing to take a little lighthearted jab at yourself.

I think I might! :-)

What's the deal with the mini-pig in your avatar and signature? I could see that working its way in somewhere.

Google mini-pig or teacup pig. I want one really bad. They're just so darn cute. However *sigh* I live in the city. I've been trying to convince my family that we could trick our neighbors into thinking its one of those expensive dogs from China, but they haven't gone for it yet.

Three Steps:

Background
Education
Personal

I feel like such an Newb for not recognizing that pattern!

Thanks to all! I don't know if this thread has helped anyone else, but it's been priceless for me.