How to Write a Compelling ‘About the Author’ for Your Book
If you grab a book off your shelf and turn it around, you are almost guaranteed to see one thing. Nearly every book has an About the Author (ATA) section somewhere. It will often be on the back cover or inside the back cover. This is where your readers will go to find more information about who wrote the book.
There is no single template for writing an ATA; your personality can shine through. Generally, it will include a brief written bio and a picture of you. This article will discuss what goes into a strong ATA and how to make it your own.
The Basics of an ATA
The first considerations of writing an ATA are largely in the technicalities. How ATAs are written will likely be the same across the board; the substance of the writing is unique. This section will detail some of the initial parameters for writing your ATA.
At first glance, you will notice that ATAs are typically written as complete sentences in paragraph form. Do not use bullet points or something similar when laying out your biography. These sentences should be grammatically correct and reflect your writing. In total, ATAs should not be too long, almost always under one page. But, always tailor the length of your ATA to the amount of information you wish to convey.
Similarly, ATAs are written in the third person. This means you should not use first-person pronouns (“I” or “me”) when describing your life. For example, use your name (first, last, or both) or appropriate third-person pronoun (he/him, she/her, they/them, etc.). You are writing your ATA, but the reader should not realize that right away. Writing in third-person keeps your ATA separate from your other writing and reflects an objective perspective.
Accompanying your written biography will often be a photograph, usually a professional headshot-style picture of you. It should be a high-quality photograph in which your face is clear and you are neat. Unprofessional pictures or selfies will distract readers and might discourage them from reading your book. An alternative is to use an older family photo, if it fits the themes of the book. If you do this, make sure any print photos are properly scanned and are clear enough to see. No matter what, always put your best foot forward.
What to Actually Write
Now, comes the time to figure out what to write in your ATA. This is where you will get to share your life with your readers. You can include any number of facts about your life in your ATA, but there are some common elements. Do not feel beholden to these, but use them as a launching pad for your writing process.
Your Personal and Professional Background
Your ATA is about your life, so include some of your personal background in it. This can be anything you feel comfortable sharing with the world. Often, this might include family details, upbringing, or anything else about your personal story. This gives the reader insight into your background. Do not overshare; only write what you feel comfortable with.
Next up is your education and work history, even when it is not literary. This is the reader’s look at what makes you a credible author. Anyone can be an author, but including your professional background informs your writing. Like with your personal life, you do not need to go into too much detail. Provide relevant information that builds your writing without overwhelming the reader with information.
Similarly, you should include any of your past writing in your ATA. You can include past books, papers, articles, blogs, contributions, etc. Having a catalog of your works in your ATA is a quick way to find your other writing. If you have a large writing profile, you can include selections as a sampling.
Anything Else You Want Readers to Know
Finally, include any fun facts or details that do not fit into other parts. The sky’s the limit with what you include in your ATA, just make sure it fits with your writing style. You can include hobbies, past times, collections, notable achievements, literary inspirations, or even favorite Bible quotes. The ATA is your chance to share your life with readers, so use it wisely.
What Else Will Your ATA Be Used For?
While your ATA will always be part of your book, it has other uses. Most obviously, writing an ATA for your first book gives you a draft to bring into future writing endeavors. You can update it with time and experience, but having the template going forward is helpful. It becomes one less thing to really worry about in the publishing process.
Further, having an author biography ready to go will be useful for any social media, marketing event, or engagements. Often, organizers of literary events will want some sort of biography from the participants. The ATA you write for your book can be a starting point for those as well. It is especially prudent to have a professional author headshot at your disposal.
No matter what you include in your ATA, make sure it is an accurate reflection of your literary identity.
