Do you need an author bio, but are not sure how to write one? It’s pretty simple to handle with a little brainstorming, an understanding of your audience, and an outline of what’s important to include to make a big impact.

Do you need an author bio?

You might. Plenty of people write without being Writers. You may have an opportunity to contribute to a trade publication or want to write for the opinion page of your local paper. You’ll need one if you are invited to guest blog on a website. If you are a novelist or freelance writer, you’ll definitely want to build an author platform.

What can an author bio accomplish?

People read your bio because they want to know who you are and why they should care what you have to say. It can give weight to what you’ve written or encourage them to read more of your work. It can inspire them to reach out to you.

An author bio can …

  • Establish and reinforce your credibility and authority
  • Help you sell your product or service
  • Encourage people to read your other work
  • Build your professional network
  • Contribute to your personal branding

Now that you know why you need one, let’s talk about how to write an author bio.

Like a resume, your author bio should be considered a living document. You may have many versions of your bio that you can use for different situations. Once you’ve created a base template to work from, you can adapt it depending on how you want to use it.

The items you include in your bio and the tone it takes depends on where you’ll be using it.

Match your mood to the venue.

If you’re writing for a business application your bio should be more serious that it would for a romance novel or a humorous essay.

If you write an article in your area of industry expertise, keep the tone straightforward and appropriate to your field. Include any relevant books or articles.

For example:

Jane Smith is a plumber and author of “Bringing Your Post-War Plumbing into the 21st Century.”

Or

Tammy Rogers has been teaching 3rd grade for sixteen years. Her book, “Pavlov’s Guide to Disciplining Your Children” is planned for release in late 2019.

Your Harry Potter Fan Fiction has no place in a serious article.

However, if you are contributing to a more light-hearted publication, it may be very much welcome. Learn how to read the (virtual) room. Readers like to feel a personal connection.

How long should an author bio be?

Keep it concise. Standard length for an author bio is 75-150 words. That doesn’t sound long, but when you see it at the bottom of a publication, you may be surprised how much room it takes up, particularly if the copy is arranged in a newspaper style column or if the article is not terribly long. Always check with the publication to find out what their guidelines are.

What should I include in my bio?

Start with your full name, of course. Author bios should always be written in third person. It’s the accepted practice and might make you feel less weird about tooting your own horn.

Brian Jones is an experienced fly fisher and this is his first book. Not, I’m an experienced fly fisher and this is my first book.

Add a highlight or two of your writing experience. Don’t go nuts here. If you are extensively published, choose one one or two of the most impressive or relevant books or articles. You can point readers to more information later in the bio.

Share genre-specific experience that shows your authority. If you are writing a book about surfing, talk about your surfing experience or why it’s an area of interest for you. For example Melissa Thompson has been an avid surfer since she was 8 years old or became fascinated with surfing during her travels to Hawaii.

Include any relevant awards or organizations. If you are writing an article about butter alternatives and you won Churner of the Year, people may be interested. Same if you are member of the International Brotherhood of Lard Enthusiasts.

Don’t forget contact information and/or a CTA. What do you want readers to do? Order your book? Book a kayak tour? Offer you a job? Tell them what and tell them how. Include a link to your website, if you have one, your email or your LinkedIn profile. (Take a look to make sure wherever you direct them is up to date and looks great.)

Feeling stuck? Now that you know how to write an author bio, check out these brainstorming ideas to get you started.