Here is a great blog post from rachelle gardner about how to write a terrific author bio. For all intents and purposes, your publisher has written this. Dec 26, 20 chrisann brennan, author or the bite in the apple in 20, i had the opportunity to work with many authors to create photos for their book jackets. How to write a successful author bio tell readers about yourself. Check out more about the author examples right here.
Writing your author bio can be a daunting task, but a wellcrafted bio can help readers learn more about what makes you and your books so. One of the shortest is the author blurb, the two or three descriptive lines at the end of a published work. Often the back panel or flaps are printed with biographical information about the author, a. Judge a book by its cover featuring designs by leo nickolls bio. How to write an author bio short ramona defelice long. Keep your information relevant to the books subject and your audience.
Chrisann brennan, author or the bite in the apple in 20, i had the opportunity to work with many authors to create photos for their book jackets. When to start marketing your book and how to balance your time. Build a better author bio for twitter jane friedman. Take a minute to think about the book jacket designs that you have seen.
Write it in your own words, though youll have to research to find each of those answers. A books subtitle shores up the book title and helps tell the reader what to expect to get inside the book. A book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. However, if you want it to emerge unscathed from the slush pile, your proposal must be. As we embark on our quest for information, the author bio is our first port of call, a snapshot of the authors contact details, credentials, previous publications and personal life. October 22, 2015 by diana urban writing your author bio can be a daunting task, but a wellcrafted bio can help readers learn more about what makes you and your books so interesting. Its an invigorating feeling, receiving ones first acceptance letter from an editor. Exclude all sorts of irrelevant information your eye color, the number of times you won candy crush, etc.
In our occasional series about the special art of writing marketing copy for authors, american author and professional copywriter bryan cohen shares five ways to optimise your author bio, as part of your sales pitch for your selfpublished books. Jan 16, 2010 the information in this book is meant to supplement, not replace, proper name your sport training. Youre aiming for a style similar to book jacket copy. You author image should be professional but it doesnt have to be professionally taken and reflect the tone of your writing. This is an excellent about the author example, fitting all four elements of a great one start with a byline, state the theme of your work, mention your credentials, and include a personal touch into two breezy sentences that can fit on a dust jacket. Write your bio in first person for query letters, third person for most other purposes including proposals, book jackets, article bylines. Have you written a bio thats likely to attract followers or turn them away. Draw a barcode and isbn number inside back cover flap list the authors name and a biography of his life, including education, current residence, hobbies, etc.
A onepost guide to what a book manuscript should look like. If youre not sure whether amanda ripley is an authority on public policy and human behavior before reading her author bio, youll probably be a little more assured after reading it. Book jacket definition of book jacket by the free dictionary. Join us as shel horowitz discusses copywriting for authors. Some informative blog posts have addressed techniques for creating an effective front cover, but an often overlooked aspect of book cover design is the back of the book. Before you write your masterpiece of an author bio, ask yourself the following questions. Nov 15, 20 it goes without saying that the cover of your book is key.
On the jacket was a pensive young man with thinning hair who, dressed in a morning coat with silk lapels, did not look in. Attract readers with a great book sales description. Many authors write the book blurb as an afterthought. If youre writing childrens books, leave out the fact that you started your. Have your students create a new book jacket for their book.
As ive advised before, you should dig into the online store that youre selling on. How to write an author bio even if you dont have experience. Dec 12, 2019 a book s subtitle shores up the book title and helps tell the reader what to expect to get inside the book. May 28, 2017 a book proposal argues why your book idea is a salable, marketable product. It acts as a business case or business plan for your book that persuades a publisher to make an investment. How to write a great nonfiction book blurb from polly letofsky of my word publishing. How to write an amazing author bio book marketing for. May 28, 20 50 great author bios for inspiration posted in inspiration may 28th, 20 by mike brown 5 comments whether you are a designer, writer or an artist, having a portfolio website is a great way to increase your customer base.
Some people create an about me page while others just create a column for a short overview of their biographies. Sep 25, 20 at wise ink, we believe that one of the most important things we do is help indie authors put their best foot forward when marketing and selling their book. Im not saying its the very best way to write an author bio, in fact, many of the best examples below do not fit this template. May 02, 2016 how to write an author bio even if you dont have experience may 2, 2016 march 20, 2017 craft, resources one of the most fearsome things about getting published is the dreaded author bio. How to write kickbutt bcc back cover copy the wise. Apr 22, 2014 while all five of these tips will help you make a better bio, tips 2 and 3 are the best advice for how to write an author bio that sells books. Students must include the following on their book jacket.
What began as a grad school hobby is now a top food blog, with millions of readers coming to her site for easy. Im a book cover designer and illustrator based in norwich uk since late 2007, designing books of most genres but lately illustrating more of the childrensyoung adult illustrated type. But at the end of that email, youll usually realize they want you to. How to write a memorable author bio with template reedsy blog. Poet of the people henry holt, winner of the americas award for childrens literature and an orbis pictus honor for outstanding nonfiction, and waiting for the biblioburro random house, a christopher award winner. Make a book jacket for either your favorite book or one that you read and thought could be represented better. This is a short summary designed to be highly interesting to the reader. The jacket is a 2001 childrens book by author andrew clements. How to write kickbutt bcc back cover copy wise ink blog. While all five of these tips will help you make a better bio, tips 2 and 3 are the best advice for how to write an author bio that sells books.
Even if youve written a great title for your book, a subtitle can provide more pertinent information to help draw the reader in and prompt them to open the book, learn more, and, hopefully, buy it. Lets look and learn from 50 fascinating book cover designs. May 22, 2012 10 tips for writing a great author bio guest post lauren clark is a duolit indie ninja and author of two indie books stay tuned and her new release, out today, called dancing naked in dixie which was formatted for paperback and ebooks by your favorite duolit chicks. How to write a great author bio that will connect with readers. For nonfiction, establishing yourself as an expert and differentiating your book from the others written about the same. Learn to write an attractive author bio by following the six rules of author biographies and our breaks down of two professional sample bios.
How to write an author bio that sells books ben zackheim. A successfully designed book cover will convey the tone of your book, will whisper hints without giving it all away, and will excite readers into actually opening up the book and reading. Book report create a book jacket cover this book report can be used after completing any fictional novel study. So far, weve blogged about how to discover your books brand, how to craft a professional author bio, how to hook people you talk to on the concept of your book, and even how to become a marketing expert in just a few steps. Writing your author bio can be a daunting task, but a wellcrafted bio can help readers learn more about what makes you and your books so interesting. Interview videos start here if you are a beginner at trying to get published the rules for posting comments at author. How to write your first author bio writing forward. The information in this book is meant to supplement, not replace, proper name your sport training. William cane has a helpful website for writing proposals.
Book summary and author bio on the back of the book. Below are a few examples of back cover copy for fiction. What began as a grad school hobby is now a top food blog, with millions of readers coming to her site for easy weeknight recipes and. These 50 awesome book covers will inspire you learn. Inside front cover flap write interesting information about the story which will make readers want to open the cover and keep reading. How to write an author bio posted on july 7, 2011 by sandra beckwith comments your author bio is an important book press kit element because it is pretty much the only tool you have to make the case that you are the best person to write this book and to write it. The dust jacket sometimes book jacket, dust wrapper or dust cover of a book is the detachable outer cover, usually made of paper and printed with text and illustrations.
If the bio is not being published on your website or social media profile, finish with your best contact, such as a twitter handle or email address. The third example shows how part of the back cover copy the author bio. James preller coming the in find get ready to get tht. The store will boast an 18foot ceiling and shelving that goes from the floor almost up to the ceiling, along with a brick back wall that will have a felt covering, for bookrelated art, including book jacket art, to be pinned there on a rotating basis. How to write an author bio, book jacket copy, and press releases that get results. Please welcome author nicolas frame with some good advice on writing your first author bio. You have one shot at introducing your story to your reader make it count. Your books author bio tells potential readers who you are, and why they should trust you and buy your book.
A great author bio has four key elements of attracting prospective clients back to your writer website. Writing an author bio examples of professional bios by freelance writing. How to make a book jacket for a book report pen and the pad. Name about write this in your designed to be the publishing company.
A short biography downloadable bio and brochuremonica brown, ph. On her twitter profile, joanna penn starts with the most important piece of information. When you have a magnetic author bio, you stand out, creating an opportunity to be seen and be hired. It goes without saying that the cover of your book is key. Why january isnt necessarily the best time to act upon your new years resolution to query or submit.
It was first published in 2001 as a serialized story that ran in the boston globe and was later published in book format on august 1, 2003 through atheneum books. Using construction paper of whatever color you wish, design a book jacket that will be folded like the picture above. Oct 06, 2015 when you have a magnetic author bio, you stand out, creating an opportunity to be seen and be hired. The illustration is creatively designed and relates to the books theme. Jul 07, 2011 how to write an author bio posted on july 7, 2011 by sandra beckwith comments your author bio is an important book press kit element because it is pretty much the only tool you have to make the case that you are the best person to write this book and to write it well. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency. Lets assume youre on twitter because its part of your author platformwhether youre in relaxed mode or professional mode. Have you got a nonfiction book idea and dream of securing a milliondollar deal all before writing the book itself. In the nonfiction world, publishers will ask an author to submit this vital document and not the entire book.
But, many people asked for an easy to follow template, and this is what we use with our authors. See, your author bio is what will convince a prospect to seek out more information about you. Write the bio for the site where it will live, and mention your reading interests. These headshots needed to convey something of each authors personality, but at the same time fit into the tight conventions of a book.
About the author examples that youll actually want to read. Sample book proposal from a professional literary agency it is a lot of work to create a good book proposal, but it is one of the most important aspects of landing a reputable publisher michael christian penname. Its how readers get to know you beyond the pages of your book. The third example shows how part of the back cover copy the author bio, in this case can show up on the inside flap of a hard cover book. How to write an author bio when you dont feel like an author. On the jacket was a pensive young man with thinning hair who, dressed in a.
Besides examples or photos of your works, another important page to include is an author bio page. Pop the champagne cork, and put a party hat on your cat. While your books are a great way to introduce yourself, an author bio can set you. Publishing consultant and marketing copywriter shel horowitz unlocks the key to press releases, author bios, book covers, and other story behind the story marketing and that actually gets read. For nonfiction authors, the author bio is a critical marketing tool as who are you are is often as or more. The purpose is to make yourself sound professional and interesting. You might ask, does the back of the book even matter. This article will cover both what you need to include in your author bio and some examples of tight professional bios. Instead of writing the entire book, then trying to interest an editor or agent which is how it works with novels, you write the proposal first. Like any sport involving speed, equipment, balance and environmental factors, this sport poses some inherent risk. As the global pandemic shows little sign of petering out, we are forced to usher in this blessed month without the usual congregation performing taraweeh at the mosque, the bustle of bazaars that punctuate every part of our island, the. Choose the right categories and keywords for your book.
Author bios tell about a writer, his work, his professional experience andor personal background. Once your title and cover have drawn the reader in, the blurb is what is going to make the difference between a missed opportunity and a sale. Obtain a piece of construction or poster paper that is 11 inches wide and 24 inches long. How to write a terrific author bio rachelle gardner. Oct 07, 2015 in our occasional series about the special art of writing marketing copy for authors, american author and professional copywriter bryan cohen shares five ways to optimise your author bio, as part of your sales pitch for your selfpublished books. Not only is it useful to know what you need to include in an author bio, it is also useful to see examples of how your vital information should look. Chris, every author should read your how to write a great author bio that will connect with readers and understand what makes them unique, so that readers get a glimpse of a lifes accomplishments earned and what makes their works worth a readers time. These online dating profile examples for women will show you a few ways to use the normal details of your life to create a profile thats different, unique, and a more accurate depiction of who you are. This book report project is an equal mix of writing and creativity that students love. This outer cover has folded flaps that hold it to the front and back book covers. Here are some reallife author bios that combine most or all of the tips above. And, for the nonfiction authors bio, this is a mission accomplished.
In this section, you need to shelve your modesty and come out sounding confident in your own ability to write this book. Lauren is a great example of an author who goes above and beyond to. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio. Ramadan this year is going to be significantly different for many muslims around the world. Online dating profile examples for women tips and templates. How to write a killer blurb that convinces readers to buy your book the book blurb is your sales pitch. Chungah rhee is the founder, recipe developer, and photographer of damn delicious. Writing an author bio examples of professional bios. Include the publishing companys name and the place of.
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