ACWC Writers Blog

Your bio is probably the most important piece of work you will produce. It’s also one of the hardest things to pen. Knowing when and how much to put into your bio without coming across as. . .well. . .showy or self-serving, is something we all deal with.

Perhaps the working word here is “knowing.” When we know what type of bio we need as well as where this bio will be printed, then we are able to narrow down the important and necessary facts needed.

In a nutshell, there are three types of bios. You’ll hear them called different things throughout your career, but the fact does not change that there are three basic bios.

Working Bio – The working bio is short. Generally, one line to one short paragraph and it’s used on submissions. The working bio lists your name, education, and one or two writing accolades. You’ll see this bio at the bottom of devotions, articles, or guest blog posts.

Example – Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the Lead Managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals.

Friendly Bio  -  The friendly bio is a few paragraphs long. It’s found on your website and on blog posts where you want folks to see your more relaxed side. The friendly bio will contain your name, education, hobbies, writing accolades, and family information. From time to time, humor may be included.

Example - Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the Lead Managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals. Her devotions and articles are found in newspapers across the eastern seaboard. Cindy is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference and a writing mentor. She is a cume Laude graduate of the University of Phoenix, holding a BS in business and journalism. She lives with her husband, Tim in the mountains of East Tennessee where they raised four sons.

Professional Bio – The professional bio is just that. Fully professional. It will list your personal information, formal schooling. Positions or jobs held. Writing credits by title (i.e. – CBN.com, christiandevotions.us, or ashevillechristianwritersconference.com). There’s no need to list every article written, just published credits and then, choose the more recent). The professional bio does not require your hobbies, family, or pets. Please abstain from listing all your pets. Remember, this is professional. This bio is necessary to showcase your qualifications.

Example - Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. She is the Lead Managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Iron Stream Media. Her devotions and articles are found in newspapers across the eastern seaboard. Her most current being The Voice Magazine – circulation of over 300,000. Cindy is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference and a writing mentor with Yvonne Lehman and Write Right. She is a cume Laude graduate of the University of Phoenix, holding a BS in business and journalism. Cindy’s award-winning books are published through Kregel Publications and Revell Publishing. With twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, Cindy is both knowledgeable and dependable.  She can be contacted at www.cindysproles.com or by emailing, [email protected].

Your first assignment is to craft three bios that you will be able to use in various situations. Write them, ponder them, and then rewrite them. Remember your bio is vital to your career.