What to put in a bio?

Amazing author lives in city/state where they work as a <blank>.

They have been published in Prestigious Magazine and Awesome Anthology.

When not writing, they enjoy hobbies A, B, & C.

Their website is AmazingAuthor.com

Help! I have been asked to provide a bio by Sci Fi Lampoon. What do I include? I have never had to write a bio before.

If you've never published before and don't have any writing credits, give some info that tells a bit about you. Did you start writing early? Have you always loved to read? Did you take any special classes in school? Or, if all else fails, what makes you ... YOU. Do you enjoy racing gerbils? Designing outfits for your cats? Try to pick things that might resonate with readers. For example, when I'm writing sci-fi, I include a line in my bio about how I love exploring the wonders of the universe.

Write a few of varying lengths if you can. Some places want a paragraph or two, others only allow a certain number of words. Good to be prepared.
Pass your drafts by the folks here. They can give you feedback. Good luck, and congrats on needing a bio!!!

--Tracy

Ok, here is what I came up with:

Candice R. Lisle is new to writing science fiction, but has always been a fan.
Her hobby is watching sunsets from her downtown loft balcony in Salt Lake City, Utah.

If any of your favorite authors have a website, you can visit their About section and see what they wrote for their bio. Also, you can check the inside back sleeve of any of your favorite books to get some ideas. I've found these to be a good template for my own bios.

Ok, here is what I came up with:

Candice R. Lisle is new to writing science fiction, but has always been a fan.
Her hobby is watching sunsets from her downtown loft balcony in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I think this is on the right track, but it could use a few more details. Potential things you could talk about, should you feel comfortable talking about them, include but are certainly not limited to:

• What authors inspire you?[/*:m:p7ojaq3b]
• What do you do for a living, if you're not writing full-time?[/*:m:p7ojaq3b]
• What drew you to science fiction?[/*:m:p7ojaq3b][/list:u:p7ojaq3b]

Basically, the bio exists for you to tell the readers who you are so they can form a connection of sorts with you as a writer. If you have a website or a social media account you use to promote your work (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etcetera) you should definitely list it.

If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it. ~ H.G. Wells
If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain
R, SF, SHM, SHM, SHM, F, R, HM, SHM, R, HM, R, F, SHM, SHM, SHM, SF, SHM, 1st Place (Q2 V38)
Ticknor Tales
Twitter
4th and Starlight: e-book | paperback

 

It's also common to include things that are interesting about you or what makes your experience interesting. Have you learned any other languages, been to other countries, had any weird jobs, study interesting subjects.

"Her hobby is watching sunsets from her downtown loft balcony" casts you as passive. You like to take things in, and that's fine. But do you also have a hobby that shows your active side?

Basically, the bio exists for you to tell the readers who you are so they can form a connection of sorts with you as a writer.

Whoa! It blows my mind that I will have readers interested in who I am. I guess I need to change my mindset from pleasing editors to having people interested in what I write. For an introvert, this is a huge change.

Thank you all so much for all your help and suggestions!

Help! I have been asked to provide a bio by Sci Fi Lampoon. What do I include? I have never had to write a bio before.

Congrats. I'll be in the same publication!

This is the bio I sent:

"Born in the backwoods of West Virginia, Chris Hinkle is a country boy down to his molecular structure. He now lives in New Zealand where he works for the Government as a Senior Procurement Specialist and puts forth a reasonable effort at masking his inner-hick for the benefit of those around him."

... sadly i didnt have a list of credentials or other publications to list.

Henkel, your bio is funny! I like it! I am glad you're in it too.

I've used this one a couple of times for Sword & Sorcery stories: "Mark Taverna was born in the barbaric frozen wastelands of Canada. Many years ago he journeyed south to the ancient desert city of El Paso, where he now lives with his wife, sons, and cat. Having recently escaped from slave-labor in the vile dungeons of a public school library, he is now a stay-at-home dad. Mark hopes this happy circumstance will result in the writing of many tales of high adventure."

Lol. That is funny. I was born in El Paso.

Lol. That is funny. I was born in El Paso.

Everyone says, it's a nice place to come from! Seriously though, it's Ok. Great food, friendly people and relatively crime-free. Very limited winter is a plus, too.