When writing a book, there are two potential places to include your author bio: the back cover of the book and the last page(s) of the book.
Some authors choose one or the other, though I recommend taking advantage of both. The back cover bio is a chance to impress a potential reader, while the inside bio is often the last impression made on a reader. Both are powerful and worthwhile.
Back Cover Bio
There’s not much space on the back cover so every word counts there. Keep a cover bio short and sweet and related to the book. Avoid wasting space on mundane details like where you live or how many animals you have, unless it’s relevant to the subject matter of the book. This is the place to mention your qualifications for writing the book and also to include a website address. This is a big missed opportunity I see too often! If you have a website, list it on the back cover of your book!
About the Author Bio
For the “About the Author” section at the back of the book, anything goes. Of course it should be interesting to read so you don’t want to write a mini-memoir, but you can expand on details. Here are items to consider including in your bio:
- Professional background
- Education
- Current business or profession
- Achievements or awards
- Previous publishing experience
- Personal details (family, city of residence, personal interests, etc.)
- Contact information (you want readers to reach out to you, right? Include your website URL and optionally include an e-mail address and phone number.)
- Professional photo (please, please, please don’t crop yourself out of a group photo or use something that looks unprofessional!)
Lastly, consider adding a call to action. If your book relates to your business, use the final pages to mention your products and services or make a special offer for readers. This is prime real estate and a chance for you to generate more business as a result.
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