bio

Perhaps the Most Important Words

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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Fiction authors, once you have decided on a title and cover, turn your attention to the back cover copy—which may be the most important words you’ll write.

Why?

Because it is an ad for your book, read by shoppers after the cover and title grab them. (It may take a while to write, but remember if can also be used as your Amazon description.)

This summary of what your book is about, should only be a paragraph or two, and include the story’s most compelling plot points. 

The best descriptions will end with an intriguing question or something that will hook the reader.

You should leave enough room for a professional-looking, clear photograph of your face.

Next to it, include a mini-bio. Your formal author bio should also be included INSIDE, near the back cover. 

If you have room on the back cover, you can include one or more endorsements. Some authors use endorsements instead of a book description.

But, a word of caution. The endorsements should be from well-known authors in your genre. Any others you may have can be used as reviews.

The Back Cover

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: image.png

Fiction authors, once you have decided on a title and cover, turn your attention to the back cover copy—which may be the most important words you’ll write.

Why?

Because it is an ad for your book, read by shoppers after the cover and title grab them. (It may take a while to write, but remember if can also be used as your Amazon description.)

This summary of what your book is about, should only be a paragraph or two, and include the story’s most compelling plot points. 

The best descriptions will end with an intriguing question or something that will hook the reader.

You should leave enough room for a professional-looking, clear photograph of your face.

Next to it, include a mini-bio. Your formal author bio should also be included INSIDE, near the back cover. 

If you have room on the back cover, you can include one or more endorsements. Some authors use endorsements instead of a book description. Your choice.

But, a word of caution. The endorsements should be from well-known authors in your genre. Any others you may have can be used as reviews, if the authors have read your book.

An Interesting Profile

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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When I was a youngster, we used the words, “cool, neat, and swell” to describe good things.

Now, the popular words are, “awesome” and “epic.”

Remember the days when the word profile referred to how you looked from the side view?

Now, it means your bio.

Although word usage may change, an interesting bio/profile is even more important in our current world than in the past.

So, just what should one contain?

Begin with your name.   End with your contact information.

Between those two “bookends” include the following based on the purpose for writing your profile (is it for a college or job application? a dating site? your own website? to find contacts?)

A little research on my part has uncovered these necessary items:

Your profession/training/educational background (Simply state this. You don’t want to come off sounding “smart or cocky.”) **This is NOT A RESUME, so don’t fill in too much detail. However, realize that you’re going to be going into more depth in this area, if the bio is for a job application and less if it is for a personal website.

Special accomplishments/recent works/expertise. If you share examples, direct them toward your target audience.

Personal, humanizing details. Are you married? Do you have children? Pets?

Your age and a recent—tasteful—photo.

Include hobbies and interests (but, again, think of your audience. These might not be good to include in a job application, unless specifically asked for…)

Remember:

Be sure to write in the third person.

Keep it up-to-date, making changes whenever necessary.

It’s a word picture, so write with a smile!