AUTHOR'S BIOS and WEBSITES and doctors.

Hard to believe it has been so long since I posted. Even the book was put on hiatus January to May and it is all because our doctor disappeared.

Okay, he did not disappear, he simply decided to change his alliances. He left IU for Franciscan and thought he would be done in a matter of, well a lot less time then it took him. During that time we came down with an intestinal flu (two weeks of our life) then a Viral Bronchial infection that took another six weeks of our life, then a Gout attack like I have never experienced before in my life. On top of all that, I had to go to my heart doctor and please prescription renewals for medications I would have been out of.

Next week, we get to see our GP in his new location.

LESSON LEARNED: I can never move again, unless he moves again and then I will become his stalker.

So, even though I started on my new website months ago, I lost January through May to illness. Some of May anyway, some I just lost to stupidity. I would create an outline of the site (as you should), create a page and realize it was all wrong: again, and again, and again.

I am now working on my bio for the website. And I finally looked up a bunch of YA sites and also recommendations for what to include.  A compilation of what I learned is here.

For your author bio, you need several bios:
1 - for Twitter or elevator pitches - a micro bio in first person. Just two sentences approx.
2 - For Query letters and social media - 50 word bio in first person
3 - For Bylines and Book Jackets - 50 word bio in third person
4 - For book cover - 100 word bio in third person
5 - A long bio - 1 page - in third person.

This actually makes it easier to write, when you start with #1 bio's must haves: your name, degrees, how you are earning a living and where, and with who, you live.  (That last only needed for family and pets).

Write #1 in first person, then add a bit of detail that is pertinent ie member of SCBWI, pertinent honors, awards, etc. for #2, which is also in First Person.

Then, change that one to third person and you have #3, the 50 word byline or book jacket bio.

#4 is for the book cover and you get to add 50 more words, in third person. You can add more pertinent, interesting things, a magazine competition, etc.

#5 is the long bio of one full page Make it in third person and you add things that are nice to know and that sum you up completely. You also want to include charities you are involved in and, at the end, where you may be reached.

This really helped me as I usually write way too much. Following this kept me succinct and on track.

Hope it helps you and thanks for following me even when I have been home ill.