Tag: bio

Categories
Kids Lit

In 25 Words or Less…

Kids Lit

“I was born as a small child…and did stuff.” My bio in nine words, but who’s counting?

One piece of information that authors sometimes falter on is the dreaded bio. We have the book synopsis and elevator pitch and one-liner, but at some point, the editor/agent/publicist/person running the panel will say, “Now tell me about yourself!”

What is too long? Too short? Too braggy? Too personal?

So we blurt out something, and, as soon as the microphone moves on, we remember the one thing we meant to say! This month we prepare for publishing and public speaking by thinking in advance about those moments before someone says, “Will you go first?”

First, consider…who wants to know? 

My answer to a group of librarians: “I have an MLS from the University of Iowa and worked in public library children’s departments for three decades. I have co-authored seven resource books for library programs and developed programs for ages 0-3 years at Glen Ellyn Public Library.”

But to other children’s authors: “I have traditionally published over 40 picture and board books in both religious and general markets. I have a monthly column on writing for children for Almost an Author. I have an agent and belong to SCBWI, several critique and writing support groups.”

And if it is preschool kids: “Head, shoulders, knees and toes!” Because they don’t care who I am as long as I brought the dinosaur book.

So when self-introducing to the group, select the parts of life that are most relevant to the listeners. 

It’s easier in print.

I don’t mind saying “Muti award-winning author” on the bio at the end of an article or on a one-sheet. It is easier in the third person, too. 

Who’s it for? 

If I am pitching to an editor in the Christian market: With more than 1.7 M copies of her books sold, multi-award-winning author Rev. Dr. Robin Currie was a public librarian before answering the call to ordained ministry. She has traditionally published more than 40 picture books, including the Baby Bible Storybook. 

But for a general market editor: With more than 1.7 M copies of her books sold, multi-award-winning author Robin Currie led Chicago area public library children’s departments, developing literacy skills for preschoolers. Robin’s most recent book, How to Dress a Dinosaur, received a Kirkus review and has won eight awards in board book categories.

How long will they read?

50-word bio

Multi-award-winning author Robin Currie led children’s departments of Midwestern public libraries. She now volunteers to teach English in developing countries. Robin has published seven resource collections of creative ideas for library story times, and more than 40 picture books.

100-word bio

Multi-award-winning author Robin Currie led children’s departments of public libraries and now volunteers to teach English in developing countries. Robin has published seven resource collections of creative ideas for library story times, and more than 40 picture books. She writes stories to read and read again!

Helpful tip:

Develop four different bios on yourself. Regrettably, unless the facts are critical to the book or speech, most people do not want to hear about the grandchildren or summer vacation.

1. 30-50 words long for print

2. 75-100 words long for print

3. list of 5 items considered primary accomplishments 

4. 3 sentences about a personal incident relevant to the group

Keep all four in your computer under BIOS so they can be whipped out as needed in print. Also, print them out and tuck them in your wallet for the next time you are called on to “Introduction yourself to the group.”

BIO: See above! Or see picture below!

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

A Writer’s Bio – The Most Valuable Piece of Real Estate on the Block

Many writers assume that the value of their article is the payment they receive for writing it. The opposite may be true.

If you’re trying to make a living as a freelance writer, you may be tempted to choose which articles you write based on the compensation you receive. Fiscal sense tells us to accept the articles that pay the most and reject the ones with little financial reward. While compensation can determine if we can pay our bills, there’s often a hidden value in every article that has little to do with financial compensation. It’s a prime piece of literary real estate called a bio.

Almost without exception, magazines, compilations, devotionals, and online publications include a writer’s bio—short for biography—at the end of each article. A bio is a few lines that tell the reader about the writer. If you craft your bio well, it can be more valuable in the long term than a check.

 A well-written bio can:

1. Help convert one-time readers to followers. If your writing resonates with a reader, they’ll want to read more of your work. Be sure to include live links (if allowed) to your blog, book, or social media sites.

2. Establish your credibility. Whenever I write grandparenting articles, for example, I always say something about my four grandchildren in my bio. If you write for professional publications, mention your education or awards. If you contribute articles to Bikers Weekly, be sure to include a detail or two about your Honda Goldwing or your Harley.

3. Spark emotional connections. Years ago I read one of Lori Roeleveld’s articles on Crosswalk.com. Her message resonated with me and made me want to learn more about her. When I read in her bio she was from my home state of Rhode Island, I had to reach out. As we exchanged emails, we discovered a multitude of common interests and experiences. Her well-written bio sparked what is now a delightful friendship.

4. Open the door to other writing opportunities. When you write in your area of expertise and use your bio to share additional credentials, others in the field can find you. For years I wrote articles and devotions for homeschooling parents. One day a friend shared one of my articles on Facebook. It caught the eye of an editor seeking a writer with homeschool experience. When she read in my bio that I had homeschooled for 17 years, the editor invited me to write for their website.

As you craft your bio, make every word count. And don’t use the same bio every time. Customize it for each publication, including details relevant to that audience. Use humor or share quirky details as long as it furthers your purpose. Check with each publication for style preferences and word count.

If you found this article helpful, I hope you’ll read my bio below. If I’ve written it well, it might make you want to visit my blog, vouch for my credibility, be my friend, or invite me to write for you. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of three devotional books including Refresh Your Faith – Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible and Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women, winner of the 2016 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year award. A blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker, her goal is to help busy women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

5 Tips to Make Your Editor Smile

It’s confession time.

I’ve been a magazine editor for nine years. During those years I’ve worked with more than one hundred writers.  I’ve loved and respected many of these writers with my whole heart. Others, well, not so much.

What makes the difference? Are magazine editors like me fickle and random in their judgments? Maybe some are, but most are hardworking people trying to do their jobs well.

If you’d like to make your editor smile, do these five things. Not only will they improve the quality of your submissions, but they’ll win you a place in your overworked editor’s heart forever.

1 Include your bio in every submission.

Even if you’ve written for a particular venue for years, don’t skip this. If you don’t include it, your editor will have to dig into the files of past publications to find your (probably now outdated) bio and cut and paste it into the current article. Sounds easy? Picture having to hunt down a whole magazine full of missing bios.

2 Include a current, professional head shot with every submission.

Make sure it’s a picture that won’t embarrass the publication (or you) when they print it alongside your article. Shun the painful, goofy writer poses (hand on chin gazing off into the sunset, for example) and instead opt for something casual yet professional. Again, even if you write for them regularly, don’t make them hunt for your head shot.

3 Stick to the word count.

If the submission guidelines say 400-600 words, don’t send them 750. Or 300. Editors set word counts based on space in the magazine. If your editor has room for a 600-word article, but you send him a 750-word one, it physically won’t fit on the page. He’ll do one of two things—mercilessly trim off all your favorite phrases or reject the piece outright. Even editors of online publications take their word counts seriously. Although they’re not restricted by physical space, today’s editors and webmasters battle decreasing attention spans and fierce competition for their corner of the worldwide web.

4 Submit on time or early.

Keep in mind that you’re not the only one with a deadline. Editors have deadlines, too. They have bosses who expect them to produce a product –on schedule. Every time you miss your deadline, you make it harder for your editor to meet his. What if you have a legitimate emergency? If you’ve established yourself as a punctual writer, your editor will do everything he can to accommodate. If you’re frequently late, however, your editor may choose not to work with you in the future.

5 Ask and answer the questions readers will most likely wonder about.

One of the first tests I put an article through is the 5 W’s and an H: who, what, when, where, why, and how? If you don’t answer these questions in your article, your editor (and your reader) will become frustrated.

These five tips are simple and easy, but don’t be fooled. They’re verrrrry important. If you implement them as you write and submit, before long you’ll have editors chasing you instead of running away from you.

Now it’s your turn. What tips can you share to help writers make a good impression on their editors? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine. She’s also a blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker. A pastor’s wife who lives delightfully close to their four grandchildren in Lexington, South Carolina, she’s authored several devotional books including  Refresh Your Faith – Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible (Our Daily Bread Publishing) and Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women , the 2016 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

Don’t Let “Bio Foxes” Spoil Your Article Submission

For almost ten years I’ve served as the editor Reach Out, Columbia magazine, a regional publication dedicated to celebrating the life and light of Jesus Christ in the world. My favorite part of my job is reading and editing articles—until I get to the end and encounter a problem with the writer’s bio.

Solomon (who must have edited a magazine at one time) warned about “the little foxes that spoil the vineyard” (Song of Solomon 2:15).

Every field has its little foxes. Today I’d like to share four “bio foxes” common to magazine and website submissions. Problems with this seemingly insignificant component won’t totally ruin your submission, but they can hinder a publication timetable, reduce an editor’s efficiency, and make said editor decidedly grumpy.

And we never, ever, ever want to make an editor grumpy.

Four Bio Foxes that Can Spoil Your Submission

  1. Forgetting to include your bio at the end of your submission.

If a magazine allows you to include a bio instead of just a byline, they’ve given you a gift. This valuable piece of literary real estate allows you to mention (and, often, include links to) your blog, book, or website. A bio provides a way for readers to further explore your writing by visiting your blog or website or hop over to Amazon to buy your book. If you include personal details, you help readers learn more about you and enhance the connection they feel.

Whether this is the first time you’ve written for the publication or the twentieth, always, always, always include a bio at the end of your submission. It saves the editor the time and frustration of having to either email you for the missing item, search for it on a previous submission, or (heaven forbid) make one up.

  • Failing to update your bio.

If you’re still using the bio you sent ten years ago, or five, or even two, it’s time to update. Hopefully the list of your writing accomplishments has grown, you’ve gained a new hobby, or added a grandchild or two. Not sure what to include? Study the bios of other contributors and take your cue from theirs. Be sure links and web addresses are functional.

  • Failing to follow the publication guidelines for your bio.

Most websites will specify the length and scope of your bio. If the guidelines say, “No more than 40 words,” please don’t send 75. Worse yet is sending 75 and instructing the editor to “edit if necessary.” An editor has no idea what your priorities are and may very well cut the item you most want to include.

If the guidelines instruct you to focus on your writing credits, personal life, or expertise with the subject matter, be sure to honor the request.

  • Neglecting to include a professional head shot.

Not every site or publication includes a head shot with your bio, but many do. Be sure to attach this (usually in jpg format) with every submission. Even if you’ve written for the publication before, attaching it to every submission ensures that the correct picture will accompany your article. It also saves the editor or graphic designer the time and effort it takes to email you for a picture or search their files.

Your bio may seem like a small thing, but attaching one that is up-to-date, fits the publication guidelines, and includes a headshot in every submission will maximize your reach and please your editor. If you doubt its importance, take a page from King Solomon, one of the wisest writers of all. He was so convinced a bio was valuable that he included it at the beginning of one of his most famous books: “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”

Too bad he didn’t include a head shot.

Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of several devotional books including Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women, winner of the 2016 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year award. Her most recent book, Refresh Your Faith – Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible releases in the spring of 2020. A blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).