Everything you need to write an author bio that knocks your reader’s socks off!
Writing an author bio can feel overwhelming and leave many new authors scrambling for tips and tricks on how to write an author bio, but it doesn’t need to be. After writing your book, especially if you’ve just completed your first book, writing an author bio should be a walk in the park.
Don’t worry if you’ve written an author bio already. There’s always time to update it and make any improvements. An influential author bio will convert casual readers into fans and help you build connections with your readers that will last a lifetime.
In the following article on how to write an author bio, we’ll cover:
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The Role Your Author Bio Plays In Your Author Brand
The author bio is one of the first things any reader will see when they discover your work. It’s like a written in-person greeting. Those few words will give potential readers a glimpse into who you are and what they can expect from you and your books. A well-written author biography will help to build not only connections with your readers but also your credibility as an author.
When someone purchases one of your books, they’re not just buying the book but investing in you as an author. If you write multiple books in a series, this is especially important as you want readers to fall in love with you and your book and ultimately come back and buy the rest of the books in your series or any future books.
Self-publishing isn’t easy, and it’s only getting more competitive. Finding success in the self-publishing world involves a lot of luck and an equal amount of hard work.
It’s estimated that over 2.2 million books are published annually. That’s just over 6,000 books being published daily, with that number only growing yearly.
Your author bio is also key to your author branding and marketing. It typically features inside your book or on the back of your cover, author website, and social media profiles, so it’s worth investing a little time and effort.
Establishing Your Credentials
For non-fiction authors, establishing credentials that relate to the topic of your book or books is especially important. If you’re writing about engineering, any relevant engineering education, certificates, or past projects would be worth including.
For fiction authors, credentials could include writing and publishing awards, education, and recognition for your work. If you’ve written a murder mystery and were a detective or law enforcement officer, this would be relevant information to include as it establishes your credentials in this genre.
Some self-published authors choose to lean into their self-publishing roots, so mentioning it in your bio could be useful, while others lean away from it. While self-publishing may have once been looked down on, some publishing success cases originating from self-publishing roots have helped to break down these barriers. Now, more than ever, self-publishing is much more accepted.
Author EL James started writing fanfiction and eventually sold over 150 million copies of 50 Shades of Gray. The 2015 movie hit, The Martian, starring Matt Damon, was originally written by Author Andy Weir and released on his website before he decided to self-publish it, where it attracted the attention of Hollywood producers.
Think About the Future
Your writing style will change depending on the genre, and how you write your author bio should change, too. Light-hearted, warm, and welcoming for romance, and intriguing and mysterious for a mystery or thriller.
If you’re passionate about the topic you write about, let that passion show when you’re writing your author biography. It doesn’t need to be a tedious explanation of who you are.
Struggling to write an author bio isn’t something unusual. Writing about ourselves doesn’t always come naturally, so don’t be afraid to check other authors’ bios for inspiration. Sometimes, it’s a small thing you discover that will unlock your creative potential and allow you to write a genuinely fantastic author bio.
It’s An Author Bio, Not Another Book
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re writing your author bio and want to include every detail, no matter how small, but avoid the temptation! Aim for around 100 words and limit yourself to about 150 if you go over.
You can also have multiple versions of your author biography if you like. A shortened version, which you include inside or on your book, and a longer version on your website. This provides readers and fans with more information about you, your history, and your work.
If your author bio is too long, look at it line by line. Does that piece of information need to be included, or could it be told in another way?
It’s Never Set In Stone, Don’t Forget to Update It
Don’t hesitate to update your author bio with any new releases, achievements, milestones, or awards. It will help to show your existing readers, or new readers that discover your work, that you’re still active and they can expect more books in the future.
As you write longer, your writing style and even genre may change. Notifying readers of this will allow them to join you on your journey and make it easier for them to connect with you.
While you’re working on updating your author bio or writing it, it’s the perfect time to jump onto Amazon Author Central. You can update your biography there, too. If you haven’t set up an Amazon Author Central Profile, why not? Check out our article, the Complete Guide to Amazon Author Central for Authors!
How To Write An Author Bio | Conclusion
Hopefully, thanks to the information above, you’re well on the way to crafting a killer author bio. A bio that not only sells you as an author but also sells your books. Creating a bond or connection with readers and turning a casual reader into a lifelong fan is the ultimate goal for an author. This ensures they don’t just buy one book; they buy them all! And hopefully, continue to follow you and purchase subsequent books as you release them.
If you have any questions about self-publishing, including how to write an author bio that sells you and your books, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
At Author Services Australia, we support Australian and New Zealand self-published authors and writers with a full range of affordable self-publishing services, including ghostwriting, copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, ebook and paperback formatting, book cover design, children’s book illustrations, graphic design services, manuscript uploading assistance, and social media and marketing.
Have you got any tips you’d like to share with new or aspiring Australian authors and writers about writing an author bio? Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
