" Saucy is a real character dealing with real stuff—hard stuff that doesn’t have easy answers, not in real life and not in fairy tales, either. This is a really compelling and ultimately hopeful story. Highly recommended."
– Debby Dahl Edwardson, National Book Award finalist and author of
My Name is Not Easy
Read a sample chapter.
Today is an in between day for me. I’ve finished one speaking gig, but have another on Saturday, the Little Rock Chapter of the American Christian Writers. I’m working on that presentation, of course, but I have some extra time today. I’ve just finished a project and I’m in between projects. So–an off day?
No. Here are small tasks that always need to get done. None of these are major priorities, but just maintenance work for my online presence.
- Amazon Author Page. Using my account at Author Central , I am updating my bio to include recent books. This is an important, free page that Amazon provides to authors to help promote your books. It should be updated as often as there’s News to report.
- News Page. Of course, the News Page on my own website is important to keep updated–and there are updates there for you to read. Here’s why it’s important to keep it updated.
- Tweaks on existing manuscripts. I think slowly. Sometimes, it takes me a long time to realize how to exactly say something or what a story needs. But when I finally think of it, I’m deep into another project and there doesn’t seem time to go back to the old one. After all, it’s just a small tweak. Well, those small tweaks may be the most important I ever do! I’ll tweak a couple things today.
- Accounting. Boo! Accounting is my least favorite thing to do, so it sinks to the bottom of my priority list. But today, I don’t have a priority list, so I’d better catch up on it.
- Read, Share, Re-Tweet, Re-Pin and so on. Social media is about sharing original content. But it’s also about curating content from others. I make it a priority to share my original content, but I find less time to read others’ blogs, share important FB updates, ReTweet and Re-Pin. Days like this, I take the time to read that blog post I bookmarked two weeks ago, but still haven’t read. It feels leisurely!
For example, here’s a great video of Crystal Chan talking about her new book, BIRD. Fascinating to see her inspiration.
If you can’t see this video, click here.
When you write an author bio, what you include depends on, well, you.
Bio for Query
Writing a query letter requires a compressed bio of just a couple sentences.
Here, you want to touch on the highlights of your career. I might write:
Published in eight languages, I have books with Greenwillow/Harpercollins, Philomel/Penguin, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Sylvan Dell. My website, www.darcypattison.com, has half a million visitors each year.
Just as you need a bio ready for multiple purposes, you should have author photos ready. I try to have a photo in 100x100 pixels, 250x250, 500x500 and at least one with a 300 dpi (high resolution) for print situations.
What if you have no publishing credits or background? Not to worry. Say nothing, unless it directly relates to the manuscript you are submitting. In this case, the manuscript will stand on it’s own, without the ever-so-slight prop of a bio.
Include work history? Probably not, unless it directly relates to your story.
I might write:
The main character is hearing impaired and I hold a Masters Degree in Audiology (doing hearing tests) and have worked for the Arkansas School for the Deaf.
Otherwise, your lips are sealed. Nothing about grandchildren who love your story; nothing about jobs that don’t directly relate; nothing about the newspaper who interviewed you about your invention that has nothing to do with this manuscript. Everything must relate to THIS manuscript. Otherwise–mums the word. Absolutely, no padding.
Expanded Bios
There are times for a longer bio, on your blog or when you send out press releases about your new book, that’s the place to list everything–if you like. For example, when my new picture book Desert Baths (a story about how desert animals take baths) comes out in late August, I’ll be ready with standard bios to send around with the press release.
I try to condense everything into a one-page document, because, really, who will read every word? I keep an updated bio that has a letterhead with all my contact info (email, phone, fax, mailing address), and just print this out and slip into an envelope or attach to an email. If appropriate, sometimes, I’ll take a yellow highlighter and make something jump out. For a picture book submission, I might emphasis that The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman was an honor book for the 2003 Irma S. and James H. Black Picture Book Award from Bank Street College.
Bios, in this sense, aren’t curriculum vitae, which are academic biographies which list all your publications, your speaking engagements, work history academic history, etc.. I keep one of those up to date, but rarely use it because it’s too long to send around easily; if any one asks, though, I’ve got it and don’t have to create it.
What you’re trying to do is establish specific credentials, highlight relevant
As an aspiring author I don't claim to know everything but I do know that there's so much more to being a writer then just writing a book. Like many new authors, I started out sending a manuscript after a few drafts to every publisher I could find listed in the yellow pages and on the Internet. Little did I know what I was up against with my competitors (other aspiring authors) and their weapons of mass destruction (aka-knowledge).
I've constructed this list of publishing/writing terms (weapons) that will hopefully help you put your best foot (or book) forward, sorry I couldn't help myself. All the best with your writing goals and never ever give up!
Query Letter: Is a one page email or letter to an editor/publisher asking if you may send your book proposal. The query letter has to showcase your writing skills so keep it professional. You don't need a query letter if the publishers website states that they are currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts.
Pitch: A successful pitch sets up your book and the need for it in the marketplace. Try the elevator test and see if you can sum up your book in the time it takes for an elevator to go from your floor to the lobby. You could also set up a timer and give yourself 5 minutes to explain your book.
STATUS: Uh, it’s Friday, right? I think I’m going to be working this weekend…
What’s playing on the iPod right now? MRS. ROBINSON by Lemonheads
Trust me, I can sympathize. Every time I sell a client book, I immediately tell the author that it’s time to write the official author bio and to go get the professional headshot done.
This is usually met with a groan (and occasionally with author excitement).
And I know the feeling. Guess what Sara and I did today? Yep, we had our professional headshots taken. I try and do a new photo once a year (but it ends up more like a year and a half and sometimes two between shots). I wait until I change my hair style or have some other reason to endure the process yet again. In this case, it’s grown out so I don’t have super short hair anymore. I’m overdue for a new photo.
Off to the studio we went. It can be the equivalent of going to the dentist. Today I learned the importance of a really great photographer who can make you relax. That ended up being immensely helpful in the quality of the shots Sara and I did.
The first 20 shots could pretty much be thrown out. Then I decided to find out if “moving around” a bit could help the process. Boy did it. I got quite a few decent, more relaxed, normal-looking shots. When I have them to share, I will. (I haven’t done the official choosing yet as I plan to forward the link to all my clients so they can vote on which one they prefer. I figure it’s only fair when THEIR shots have been subjected to my vote and opinion. Turnaround is fair play and all.)
Here are some good tips the photographer shared with us before our shoot. You may find them helpful when that time comes for you!
1. A successful picture will direct attention to your face and not to your clothing so wear sold colors and avoid patterns.
2. Long sleeves are better than short since bare arms compete for attention.
3. Medium to dark tones are best against a dark background (who knew?)
4. Avoid bright colors (as they compete) and stick with neutrals. Also, splashes of bright can draw the eye away from the face.
5. Red is a good color for outside shots.
6. Avoid white or super light colored shirts. (Are you sensing a theme here yet? I think black or brown is going to be your best bet—unless of course both colors don’t work for you.)
7. Avoid shirts and sweaters that completely cover the neck (interesting!). V-necks are fine as long as they aren’t super wide or exaggerated (and I might add, too plunging as they would also compete with your face).
8. Throw out all these suggestions and wear what makes you comfortable. Big smile here.
In general, if you are going to a professional photographer with controlled lighting, make up probably doesn’t need to be too heavy (and I’m sure the guys just breathed a huge sigh of relief there). Lip gloss also tends to be too shiny.
And once there, see what you can do to relax or put yourself at ease. I think it helped a lot that Sara and I went together as we could casually chat and laugh at what didn’t work.
All in all, this was the least painful experience I’ve had doing the shot. I’ll definitely go back to West End Photography so you can certainly bookmark it if you live in Denver/Boulder.
And one last comment. Be sure that when you do the shot, you have the photographer agree to sign a photo release (or copyright assignment). That way you own the picture and can then use it for any type of promotional material without having to get permission, etc.
That’s really important.
My wife's aunt is moving to California and while packing she found a bunch of "Peanuts" greeting cards from the 1960's tucked away in her belongings. She gave them to me. What a treat!
From an illustrator's perspective, look at those backgrounds and fluorescent colors!!
From a fan of "Peanuts" perspective, look how mean Lucy is, even in greeting cards!
My little guy has nut allergies. ALL NUTS, that's: tree nuts, peanuts, soy, sesame, no mango's for this guy allergic, scary swelling allergic. Yep, he is one of the children in an ever growing epidemic. As part of a society that has quickly become safety crazed with car seats and helmets, gates and guards, monitors and alarms, one little nut could prove to be lethal. So as I prepare to send him off to preschool this fall I wanted to make some t-shirts for him to wear so his teachers can more easily identify him.
This is the first attempted design. I will post more as I have time.
Hi Renee,
fabulous list of what's what in the publishing game.
This is a very practical list of publishing terms which I'll recommend to my writing students.
Many 'shy' people find the 'pitch' the most difficult.
Thanks Hazel and Karen for your comments. I'll keep adding to this list as I'm sure there's many more.