Lauren Clark is a Duolit Indie Ninja and author of two indie books — Stay Tuned and her new release, out today, called Dancing Naked in Dixie (which was formatted for paperback and eBooks by your favorite Duolit chicks!). Lauren is a great example of an author who goes above and beyond to market her books (take notes!) so we asked her to share some tips with our readers on the all-important author bio for your book. Enjoy!
Attract readers with a short, but sweet author bio
I’ll admit it–I’m a book cover junkie! I love an eye-catching concept, great colors, and crisp, bold graphics. A great cover will get me to pick up a book…but then I have to read the summary…and check out the author bio!
Anytime I’m shopping in a bookstore, or checking out a novel online, you’ll find me turning to a book’s inside back flap (or Kindle page) and reading the paragraph below the author photo.
If you’ve ever tried to write a bio — your own included — you know that it’s a challenging process! Here are my Top Ten Tips for making ‘Bio Writing’ a little easier and a lot more fun!
1. Read author bios from ten to twenty different books. Jot down what you like and don’t like.
2. Write out another list–this time, 20 to 30 things about you! What do you enjoy? What makes you interesting? Don’t leave anything out. Then, choose the best elements to include.
3. If you’re writing the bio for your first novel, it should be short and sweet. Shoot for about 50 words or fewer.
4. Convey your personality and writing style. Don’t try too hard to be funny, but do include something that makes you seem like a real person. Do you cook? Love to hike? Stargaze?
5. Relate it to the genre in which you are writing–if you’re writing a novel about a marathon runner–and you love to compete in 5Ks or just completed your first triathlon, mention it!
6. What gives you credibility? Are you a member of a professional organization? Have you published any articles? Written for a newspaper or magazine?
7. Hit the highlights. You don’t need long lists of resumé information (education, job history).
8. How can people connect with you? (Twitter handle, Facebook page, website, or blog)
9. Have at least one other person (who is not a relative or BFF) read and critique your bio.
10. Sleep on it. Have a different person read and critique your bio. Revise and update as needed!
What do you think? Share your best bio writing tip!
About Lauren Clark
Lauren Clark is the author of Stay Tuned and Dancing Naked in Dixie. She writes contemporary novels set in the Deep South; stories sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets.
A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local bookstores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com or find her on Twitter, Facebook and Good Reads.
Dancing Naked in Dixie
Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.
With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she’s offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.
Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia’s story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage?
Pick up your copy of Dancing Naked in Dixie:
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