| First, write the book. Second, sell the book. In | | | | describing discrimination, sit-ins, boycotts, riots, |
| most cases, however, before you can sell your | | | | police brutality and personal triumph. |
| book, you must sell yourself. | | | | After introducing yourself, the key component of |
| Speaking engagements on your book in the | | | | your author biography is a description of the book |
| forms of book signings, seminars or events are | | | | that you are seeking to present. The description |
| important components to help you sell yourself | | | | should be a powerful, short, self-contained |
| and your book. However, before you can get | | | | statement about your book. Remember, this |
| those speaking engagements to sell your book, | | | | statement is not a review or an evaluation or an |
| you must provide potential audiences with your | | | | excerpt. The statement is a description that |
| author biography, a one-page summary of your | | | | should leave the reader wanting to know more |
| writing career or the part of your writing career | | | | and to hire you to speak about the book. |
| that relates to your book. | | | | Dedicate one paragraph of your author biography |
| Limit your author biography to one page. People | | | | to this summary. Here is a sample of how I |
| do not have the time or energy to review | | | | describe my book: A collection of nonfiction |
| lengthy profiles with details that are not pertinent | | | | essays about life with her grandmother, Bigmama, |
| to your book. Moreover, long author biographies | | | | during the civil rights era, Nash recalls the U.S. |
| tend to list every tiny accomplishment and have | | | | Supreme Court 1954 decision, Brown v. the Board |
| been known to include made up or exaggerated | | | | of Education, and the civil rights leader, Dr. Martin |
| credentials. Tell the truth and keep the truth short. | | | | Luther King, Jr. Before Nash's book was published |
| Stick to the facts about your writing and speaking | | | | by Texas A&M University Press, her |
| career. Although some authorities say it is all right | | | | syndicated column had earned her prestige and |
| to include a personal note to show readers that | | | | attention as a writer. She is working on her |
| you are a real person, I suggest an economy of | | | | second book for this publisher. |
| words and an omission of emotions. Do not bog | | | | Personal experience, interviews and research |
| down in your dreams. No one really cares about | | | | gave me the authority to write and speak on my |
| your dreams but you and your family and friends. | | | | subject. Demonstrate your authority even if you |
| Approach your author biography as if you are | | | | write fiction. To support your credibility, include a |
| writing about someone else, meaning, write in the | | | | mention of previously published work, speaking |
| third person. It is easier to brag in the third | | | | engagements, television show appearances, |
| person. First person author biographies and | | | | writing awards and your website. You don't have |
| resume formats are not considered professional | | | | a website? Get one. |
| and mark you as an amateur in the business. | | | | If you do not belong to any on-line or community |
| Sell yourself to the prospective audience in your | | | | or other writing groups, join one today! Not only |
| introduction, which states your name and your | | | | are professional writing groups helpful in your |
| professional handles such as published author, | | | | endeavors, they look great on the author |
| journal contributor, e-book author, magazine | | | | biography. Pay some dues and get listed in writing |
| writer or writing coach, for example. Focus on | | | | directories to increase trust and respect from |
| professional titles and stay away from personal | | | | potential audiences. |
| categories such as wife of, husband of, | | | | When seeking to be booked to speak about your |
| homemaker, mommy, daddy or uncle or nanny, | | | | book, be sure to include all necessary contact |
| unless they enhance your career description or | | | | information, including your website. If your website |
| credential as an author. | | | | or any other part of your contract information |
| This is how I introduce myself: Sunny Nash is an | | | | changes, update them immediately. Do you know |
| award winning writer, photographer, producer and | | | | what happens when people can't find you? Your |
| author of Bigmama Didn't Shop At Woolworth's, a | | | | author biography along with your entire press kit |
| memoir told from the perspective of a black child | | | | gets tossed into the trash. |
| growing up in the mid-century American South, | | | | |