Marketing a book is a competitive endeavor these days, and if you're a first-time author, you want to do well against other writers. Therefore, book publicists will remind you there are several essential elements for a media campaign, and one of them is a well-written author's bio. There are more than a few stories about people buying and reading books after they've found out more about the person who wrote them. One way it happens is with a well-written bio. When you're planning to write yours, think through how you want to develop your author brand as well as what you'll include in the bio text.

Successful book marketing campaigns are multi-faceted, and it means you need more than one version of your author biography. The main one is a longer-form text that will go on your website and in press kits developed for the media. The second is a shorter version for other marketing materials and perhaps the back cover of your book. The last is a very brief one of one or two lines introducing you on social media. Taking some time writing your bio and coming up with a couple of versions and approaches before you decide on one often leads to the best outcome. You want a compelling bio.

If you are trying your hand at self-bio writing for the first time, remember to write in the third person. Doing it in the first person may come off as egotistical, naïve, or inappropriate, one of which will do you any good. The third-person text also has an air of authority that pays tribute to your experiences and achievements in a way that people find interesting and respect more easily. The point is to sound informed and professional in what you write. It's also wise to avoid running long. A paragraph of 200-300 words is sufficient for most authors. You want enough to sound accomplished and sophisticated.

Because an author bio is a crucial element in book marketing programs, you want to focus on your writing and make it of interest in your genre. If you happen to be a medical doctor who also writes novels, writing an author bio about your medical career and saying nothing of your work as a novelist won't connect well with prospective readers. It is always essential to include relevant credentials to make someone respect your position to write a book. Don't hesitate to add creative touches but make sure they aren't overboard or corny, and always include the most critical information first.