I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Writing a bio is probably one of THE most important things you will do as a writer.
It’s vital to know what types of bios there are and how they are used. There are 3 must have rules in writing your bio. 1) they are always written in 3rd person, 2) they are written tight and concise, 3) several sets of eyes have read them for typos and misspellings.
That being said, here are the primary bios used in writing and what should be included in each one.
Professional Bio – The professional bio is used in proposals and for business purposes. This bio will include your writing credentials – where you have been published and by whom. A professional bio will act as a resume of sorts, detailing your education, experience, and accomplishments. The professional bio should ring strong with who you are and the efforts and successes you have experienced so publishers, editors, and marketing individuals can see your personal reach to readers and your abilities. These bios will range from 500 words to 800 words, depending on your experience.
General Bio – The general bio is short (keyword – short). Usually one to two lines, three tops and will be found in online magazine articles and posts. Written in third person, the general bio gives the reader a snippet of who you are and how to contact you.
For example: Devin Arrow is a freelance author and novelist. His work has been published in numerous magazines and online websites, and his books are available in retail establishments nationwide. Devin can be contacted at [email protected]
Familiar Bio - The familiar bio is your fun bio. It’s the one you post on your blog or in places where the atmosphere is relaxed. Again written in 3rd person, this bio states who you are, what you do, and lists a few of your publications. It may even have a bit about your hobbies or family. It also has your contact information and website. This bio ranges from 50-150 words. I encourage you to stay within that wordcount perimeter.
What is so hard about writing a bio? Finding the fine line between informational and bragging. Your bio should be informative not cocky and every word should be precise. Use your thesaurus to find a single word that replaces two or three other words. Practice hard to pare it down so that it is concise and not wordy. Finally, it’s fine to share your accomplishments, but don’t over do it. Choose wisely. Readers get that you are successful so use a few of the more prominent accomplishments that rounds out all your gifts and talents over listing every single detail.
A good bio will travel with you through your writing career. Work hard to make every word count and give the best snapshot of who you are.
?
How to Make the Most of Your Conference Experience - Assignment 7
Cindy Sproles
2/12/2022
Spitshine that Work - Assignment 6
Cindy Sproles
2/4/2022
Don't Write Your Bio - Write WHY ME? - Assignment 5
Bob Hostetler
1/28/2022
Sensory Perception Enhances Your Writing - Assignment 4
Cindy Sproles
1/22/2022
January 16, Assignment 3 - Bring Your Characters to Life
Cindy Sproles
1/16/2022
Assignment 2 - Titles & Sentences - Nancy Lohr
Cindy Sproles
1/8/2022
An Adjective Safari - Assignment 1
Denise Loock
1/5/2022
Assignment 6 - Creative Non-Fiction
Cindy Sproles
2/15/2021
Assignment 5 - Don't Waste Your Conference Experience
Cindy Sproles
2/6/2021
January 24, Assignment Four - Time to Shoot the Weasel Words
Cindy Sproles
1/24/2021
Assignment 3 - The Role of Speaker Tags and Beats
Cindy Sproles
1/21/2021
Assignment 2 (2 of 2) Week of January 10
Andrea Merrell
1/13/2021
January 10, Assignment 2 (1 of 2 assignments)
Cindy Sproles
1/10/2021
Assignment 1 - ACWC January 5 - Let's Start with a Bio
Cindy Sproles
1/5/2021
Assignment 7 - What in the World is a One Sheet - Andrea Merrell
Cindy Sproles
2/7/2020
February 1 - Assignments 5 & 6 - Linda Glaz
Cindy Sproles
2/1/2020
Appropriate Emails - [email protected] - Assignment 1
Cindy Sproles
1/11/2020
How Not to Get an Agent - Assignment 7
Bob Hostetler
2/10/2019
January 27 Assignment 5 -Storytelling Your Life Lessons
Lucinda Secrest McDowell
1/27/2019
It's Not What You Know; It's Who You Know - Assignment 4
Bob Hostetler
1/20/2019
Stay on Track with a Writing Schedule - Assignment 3
Larry Leech
1/13/2019
Assignment 2 - Finding Speaker Topics
Beth Fortune
1/5/2019
IMAGERY–WHEN THIS IS LIKE THAT
By Ann Tatlock
12/30/2018
Asheville Christian Writers Conference Privacy Policy
Cindy Sproles
6/4/2018
2018 Writers Charge
Cindy
2/18/2018
Get in the Mood to Write - Assignment 5
Larry J. Leech II
1/28/2018
Getting Rid of “I” Disease - Assignment 3
Andrea Merrell
1/14/2018
Curb Your Adverb Addiction - Assignment 2
Denise Loock
1/7/2018
WHO ARE YOU? - Writing Your Bio
Cindy Sproles
11/17/2017
WRITING IN A PICKLE
Cindy Sproles
11/13/2017
THE NaNoWriMo CHALLENGE
Cindy Sproles
11/10/2017
BRINGING YOUR CHARACTERS TO LIFE
By Andrea Merrell
2/12/2017
DON’T LET SPEAKER BEATS RUIN YOUR MANUSCRIPT
By Andrea Merrell
2/5/2017
HOW TO CRAFT GREAT DIALOGUE
By Andrea Merrell
1/30/2017
AVOID REPETITION AND WRITE TIGHT
By Andrea Merrell
1/20/2017
THE QUOTATION QUOTA – ASSIGNMENT 2
By Andrea Merrell
1/13/2017
ELIMINATE THE EXCLAMATION POINTS – ASSIGNMENT 1
By Andrea Merrell
1/7/2017
WRITING ADVICE FROM MARK TWAIN: WRITE WITHOUT PAY UNTIL SOMEBODY OFFERS TO PAY
By Sandra Merville Hart
12/22/2016
WHEN THE STORY STALLS IN THE MIDDLE
by Sandra Merville Hart
12/20/2016
WHO REALLY SELLS YOUR BOOKS ?
by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted
9/20/2016
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 15-MINUTE APPOINTMENTS
by Cindy Sproles
9/16/2016
ARRRGH! ANOTHER REJECTION – CINDY SPROLES
by Cindy Sproles
9/12/2016
FROZEN IN PLACE – ICEY SELF-TALK TO FREEZE YOUR WRITING
By Cindy Sproles
9/8/2016
THE BIO – THE FRAGRANCE OF WHO YOU ARE
by Cindy Sproles
9/3/2016
THE PAIN OF UNSOLICITED
by Cindy Sproles
8/29/2016
REDUNDANCY: AN EXCESSIVE, OPPRESSIVE, PERVASIVE DISEASE
By Denise Loock
8/26/2016
7 THINGS TO DO NOW TO BE READY WHEN WRITING INSPIRATION STRIKES – EDIE MELSON
by Edie Melson
8/23/2016
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 15-MINUTE CONFERENCE APPOINTMENTS
by Cindy Sproles
8/20/2016
WHY SHOULD I ATTEND THE ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ CONFERENCE?
by Cindy Sproles
8/17/2016
YOU NEED A PLATFORM – LIVING A STORY- ASSIGNMENT 3
By La-tan Murphy
1/20/2016
THE ONE SHEET
by Cindy Sproles
1/8/2016
OVER-EDIT?
By Steven James
11/4/2015
