How to Write a Compelling Author Bio

Source: Excerpted from How to Sell More Nonfiction Books author training program, available in video format along with the 37-page Nonfiction Book Marketing Resource Guide. This article was written by Dana Lynn Smith.

For how-to nonfiction books, it's often just as important to promote the author as it is to promote the book. Book buyers want to feel that the information in the book comes from a credible source, so the author bio is an important promotional tool.

You will need several bios in different lengths, to use for your book cover, website, speaker introductions, resource boxes for articles, and so forth.

I recommending writing a bio of several paragraphs first, then condense it down to several shorter versions for different purposes. Aim for a one-sentence blurb, a one-paragraph summary, and a longer bio of several paragraphs.

The nonfiction author bio is about expertise and credibility. List those things in your background that are most relevant to the book and your target audience. It's not a resume - keep it interesting, engaging, and focused on the audience.

Answer these questions to start building your bio:

• Do you have a degree, special training or extensive experience in the topic that you're writing about and/or in the craft of writing?
  
• Do you have a professional certification in your area of expertise?
  
• How do you use your credentials to help others? For example:  "Dr. Liz draws on her background as a clinical psychologist to help couples find their way back from the brink of divorce."
  
• What awards or other recognition have you received?
  
• What kind of media exposure have you had? For example: "Joan's relationship advice has been featured in Good Housekeeping and other major media.
  
• How many people do you reach each month through speaking and writing? For example: "Susan runs the most popular blog for aspiring authors, with more than 100,000 visitors a month."
  
• What leadership positions do you hold?
  
• Why should people listen to you or read your books?
  
• What interesting or unusual facts are relevant to your expertise? For example: "Hank started his first business at age 12, recruiting a team of neighborhood boys to do yard work."