Writing a BIO - HELP!

Yes, the bio is written in third person. Just a short simple one would probably do, such as "Alma Matter is a [noun] in [city, state or geographical region]. This is her/his first publication."

If you want to get into it further than that, you might want to check the magazine you are submitting to. Some tend towards humorous bios, others more serious, and with still others, anything goes. Also, if the bios are placed with the stories, you might want to add a factoid about that particular story. If the bios are placed elsewhere as they sometimes are, then that might just be confusing.

What ^she^ said, but I want to add:

In a query or cover letter, I use first person, because third person just doesn't work, since the rest of the query or cover letter is in first person. When it's a separate bio (say, on Submittable, the submission manager, as many magazines use online) or the editors ask you for one in an email, then it's third person.

Or you can just put something like "Here's my bio:" Then add the bio in third person.

I'm seconding the recommendation to look at the bios in the publication you are submitting to. Some places have more quirky bios than others, and you want your bio to fit with the others that typically run with the work this place publishes. I have seen bios that simply say "So-and-so lives in Ohio" and that's it. I have also seen ones that at cute and sort of funny. If the publication asks for a bio with the submission, this is a chance to show that you actually read the publication by showing you can submit an appropriate bio.

I do understand that it can be difficult. I wish I could name off a bunch of publications, but I don't have that. I had that once upon a time when I was working in journalism, but I don't even feel like that is relevant to the kind of writing I do now, so I rarely mention it if ever. But there is nothing wrong with saying this would be your first publication. I have seen that in bios at some very impressive places, though, not often. But it does give aspiring short-story writers hope and the publication gets credit for discovering you.

Fruitbat -- Were you really nominated for a Pushcart? That's awesome!

Thanks, gettingby. It is nice to get that extra pat on the back once in a while. Of course it would have been even better to actually WIN but hey, I'll take what I can get.

Thanks, Alma. Yes, it would be fine to list the place you're subbing to as a first publication. They'll get it that it would only be in effect if they accepted your submission.