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| AUTHOR/EDITOR SANDRA D. BRICKER |
So
you’ve never been published, huh? Or wait, you have been published, but not by one of the bigger houses that you’re
aiming for. There are a few things that can help you put your best foot forward
when creating that proposal that will get it in the door. Your foot, that is.
Remember:
Your manuscript doesn’t stand alone when you’re trying to get the attention of
an editor. Every segment of your proposal is, in effect, a writing
sample. You need a compelling synopsis; an error-free few chapters; a platform
and/or marketing plan. And don’t forget those all-important few paragraphs
representing you as the author of this masterpiece you’d like them to contract.
An
author bio that kicks … tushie! … is
imperative. Think of it in the same terms as your synopsis – a compact little
piece of brilliance that A) reflects the tone of your brand; B) illustrates an
attractive, shiny portrayal of what you have to offer; and C) does all that in
a very few well-chosen, inventive words that no one else could have put
together in the same fashion.
Simple,
right?
No?
Well, maybe I can put on my managing editor’s hat and compile a few tips that
will help.
1. Make yourself the
hero/heroine of your own bio. Write in third person, present tense. This will
help the editor step into (and stay in) the moment with you.
2. Make your opening count. In the same way that the first two pages
of your novel have to shine if you want an editor to continue reading, your
author bio needs a hook as well. State your name. Let him/her know exactly who
you are, and follow that up with a few details about what makes you think they
might want to read what you’ve written. No real publishing credentials? That’s
okay. Maybe you’ve snagged an award, had your writing featured in a newsletter,
or been a member of a prestigious writing organization for the last five years.
3. Spotlight your author
voice. Who
are you as a writer? Cast yourself in the role
of Author and tell the editor who you are while in character … and while
remaining clearly relatable.
4. Don’t give in to the
temptation of rabbit trails. Remember that the key to a compelling author bio is brevity
(100-200 words); just enough to leave them wanting more. Don’t dwell on
any one aspect of presenting who you are. Should you mention accomplishments, academic
qualifications, where you’ve lived all your life? Sure. But don’t write a
dissertation on them.
5. Take aim at your
target. It’s
often a good idea to have two or three bios on hand, each a little different
from the others so that they can be used for distinct purposes. For instance,
one for editorial proposals; others for blog posts; another for press releases.
Ultimately,
the author bio isn’t the be-all or end-all of kicking your foot into an open
publishing door. As an editor, I’ve certainly rejected projects from authors
with a killer bio! At the same time, a compelling kick-tushie bio has made me take a closer look every now and then.
My advice to you: Give yourself every fighting chance to garner the
professional attention of a person in the position to say, “Yes!” instead of, “Sorry,
but…”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SANDRA D. BRICKER was an entertainment
publicist in Los Angeles for 15+ years where she attended school to learn
screenwriting and eventually taught the craft for several semesters. When she
put Hollywood in the rear view mirror and headed across the country to take
care of her mom until she passed away, she traded her scripts for books, and a
best-selling, award-winning author of Live-Out-Loud fiction for the
inspirational market was born. Sandie is best known for her Another Emma Rae
Creation and Jessie Stanton series for Abingdon Press, and she was also
recently named ACFW’s Editor of the Year
for her work as managing editor of Bling!, an edgy romance imprint for
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. As an ovarian cancer survivor, Sandie
also gears time and effort toward raising awareness and funds for research,
diagnostics and a cure.
HOW TO CONNECT WITH
SANDIE:
