You’ve got your book ready to go, but it’s time to consider the auxiliary writing you must do in order to support the publication of your masterpiece! Now that the writing is “done,” it is time to write your author bio.
Many writers struggle to figure out how to write an author bio for themselves. It can feel weirdly self-promotional to list out your strengths and accolades, but the person who knows your achievements best is almost certainly you. A good author bio introduces your potential reader to you and also helps search engines pull your author website more easily by using keyword-rich descriptions when you enter your book metadata. Your bio can be witty or straightforwardly informational, and the tone you take will be informed by both your personality and the author brand you are building. A few key areas to include in the majority of author bios are: achievements, personal facts, education, and contact info.
Author Achievements
It’s likely your bio will include awards or achievements in relevant fields to the topic of your book. (This is especially important if you are backing up your authority to speak as an expert with a nonfiction title.) I say relevant because an overly enthusiastic inclusion of accolades could end up disjointed and confusing for readers. For example, the author of a book on fly-fishing does not likely need to say that he won the Great Chili Cook-off Award at the local Rotary Club. A Best Trout Catch might be a fun thing to include, though! Staying on theme will help your bio remain relevant to your readership.
Personal Information
Author bios include some personal information such as where the author lives (and who with), and maybe even a few hobbies he or she enjoys (especially if they are pertinent to your writing subject matter). Mentioning clubs or associations you are a member of is also an important piece of personal information that may cultivate additional professional credence. Our fly-fisher might have a line about where he prefers to fish, which will create connection points to local fishers in that area.
Educational Background
Sometimes, it makes sense to include your educational history in your bio. If you attended a prestigious institute it’s probably worth mentioning—your year long stint at a community college is likely not the type of education you need to include.
Author Contact Information
The last piece of your author bio puzzle is your contact information. Making sure to list your author website, Twitter handle, or other way for readers to find out more info about you is a vital part of building your author brand. Make sure you take advantage of this easy way to gain social media fans!
Consider Your Target Audience
Readers are more likely to engage with a bio that feels aligned with their interests and the type of book you’ve written. By highlighting aspects of your experience or personality that resonate with your audience, you establish credibility and relatability. For example: A children’s book author might emphasize their work with children or love for storytelling. A fantasy novelist could mention their passion for world-building or love of mythology.
Tailoring your bio to include credentials and experiences relevant to your genre or subject shows your audience why you’re the right person to write this book. Nonfiction authors benefit from showcasing expertise or achievements in the book’s topic area. Fiction authors can highlight storytelling awards, publishing history, or writing-related experiences. A well-tailored bio can make you stand out in a crowded market. By addressing what your audience values most, you increase the likelihood that they’ll remember you and your work.
Different Types of Bios
Adapting your author bio for different uses ensures that it serves its purpose effectively, whether it’s providing a quick overview of your credentials, a deep dive into your background, or a hook to draw in new followers.
Develop a short bio for book covers, dust jackets, author pages on retail sites, conference programs, event flyers, press releases, and social media profiles
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- It should be 1 to 2 sentences, typically 50 words or under.
- It should reflect the tone of your book and focus on your most relevant credentials or achievements related to the book.
You should also have a long bio on hand for your author website, media kit, publisher or agent submissions, professional profiles, About the Author pages, and more.
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- This bio should be 2 to 3 paragraphs and up to 250 words.
- The tone should reflect your author brand and contain a comprehensive overview of your background, achievements, and personal details.
Example of an Author Bio
We have come this far, so let’s build a faux bio for our fly-fishing friend. I might write this for him:
Wade Troutson is a professional fly-fisherman, accomplished angler, and devoted outdoor sportsman with a passion for exploring the natural world. Since 2013, Wade has been recognized annually as a Master Angler for Region 4 of the U.S., a testament to his exceptional skill and dedication to the craft. Known for his expertise in fishing local trout varieties, Wade finds his greatest joy casting lines in the Elk River, a place he considers both his sanctuary and his source of inspiration.
In addition to his angling achievements, Wade is an active member of the Fisherman’s Club of Lynchburg, where he shares his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow anglers. Through workshops, community events, and informal mentorship, he helps aspiring fishermen refine their techniques and develop a deeper appreciation for the sport. When not fishing, Wade enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife and their three dogs, who are often his companions on scenic adventures near their home in Lynchburg.
Wade’s commitment to fly-fishing goes beyond the riverbanks. His website, www.troutson.com, is a hub for fishing enthusiasts seeking tips, resources, and updates on his latest excursions. Whether teaching beginners or connecting with seasoned anglers, Wade’s mission is to inspire others to embrace the beauty of fishing and the outdoors, one cast at a time.
If I wanted to include educational info (which doesn’t have high relevance to this book or author), I might add a line such as, “Wade was previously an immigration law attorney and holds his law degree from Columbia University, though he much prefers schools of fish to classrooms full of lawyers.”
An example of a short bio could be:
Wade Troutson, a professional fly-fisherman and Master Angler for Region 4 since 2013, enjoys fishing the Elk River’s trout. A member of Lynchburg’s Fisherman’s Club, he lives with his wife and three dogs. Connect with him at www.troutson.com.
Keywords
You’ll note that keywords in that bio that would help search engines are: fly-fisherman, outdoor, sportsman, Master Angler, Region 4, Elk River, and Fisherman’s Club.
Using these keywords is important because it increases the chance that someone’s random Google search for information about a topic related to you and your book might pull in your bio from your author website, Amazon, etc. and lead this searcher to you. In your bio, make sure to use keywords that are very relevant to your field of interest and book genre to accomplish something similar to Troutson’s bio in terms of keyword relevancy for competent Search Engine Optimization.
Now that you’ve read about author bios, do you feel prepared to write your own?
