Great news for writers struggling with the bio section of the query letter. Agent Jessica Faust blogged today about this very topic. She says if you don’t have a writing background other than being involved with a critique group and writing organization, that’s okay. If she’s impressed with the query, she might not even read the bio. However, if you have experience with the subject you’re writing about or if you’ve recently won awards for your writing, you should include those because that might be enough to convince the agent (if she’s on the fence) to request more material.
Does that help or confuse us more? I’m glad she’s okay with us mentioning critique groups and awards. I’ve recently been instructed to not include those things. I guess it’s all subjective, just like everything else in this business.
What have you heard about query letter bios?
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That's good to know. I didn't put the critique group in my query because I thought we weren't supposed to, but seems like it's not a hard and fast rule.
ReplyDeleteI would think if an agent sees you're in a crit group, it at least says that you have had more than your momma read your book and are taking writing seriously.
Interesting...it never crossed my mind to include my critique group in my bio!! I remember when I first started out...I had zero to put in my bio. I entered a flash fiction contest and prayed I'd place so I had SOMETHING to put on my query. (And I did, so it worked our great!!)
ReplyDeleteHi Lynette, I found your blog through Tina Lynn's Sweet Niblets. What a wonderful and informative place you have here.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about your online support group "Writers on Writing." Could you tell me more?
You can reach me by email at dawnhullender@att.net.
I appreciate your time!
I've heard from agents that if your experience doesn't directly impact your reason for writing the book not to include it in the bio. That said, all agents are different!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome post. I've always worried about this. Now, I won't feel so bad when I have nothing much to say in my bio.
ReplyDeleteGreat info to have, thanks Lynnette.
ReplyDeleteI never gave much thought to the bio. Duh!
I love Jessica's blog. I never thought to include a crit group in my letter, but hey can't hurt.
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I'm in the process of looking for a critique group of partner, and it's nice to hear that I can put that in a query letter someday. Thanks for the information!
ReplyDeleteLast week my agent e-mailed to ask for my bio. I had a bio in my query letter but it's different when you're thinking about an AGENT having it! I researched all over the web and everything basically said the same thing. First sentence is for your degrees and work experience. Second sentence should give either your writing credits or the credentials you have for this particular book. The third sentence is more personal...but I'm not sure it's the same for queries to publishers and agents. Mine always had my RWA memberships, some contests I'd won, the fact that I'd been extensively published by True Story, etc., and that I was a former public relations consultant. I don't think I even mentioned my college degree until I wrote my bio for my agent.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic. I had never considered including my critique groups.
ReplyDeleteI usually put my writing credits on a query along with my associations. Thank you for this post:)
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