About The Author

Ok, we've had threads for dedications and acknowladgements so this is a thread for us to write our own little About The Author peices that are normally at the end of the book. I'm still trying to get mine to sound right, so I'll post that up when it's done.

Hmmm. . . sometimes books don't have an 'about' - i wonder can you use an about if you use a pseudonym?

Lemony Snicket did...

Personally, I wouldn't want to have an About the Author until my books become somewhat popular. I don't want to really give out information about myself (as far as where I live, my real name, etc.). I want to be like a mystery author @_@ I'll answer questions on my writing, but I would say anything about my real life.

emilycross wrote:

i wonder can you use an about if you use a pseudonym?

Why not?

It tends to be the kind of thing the publisher has a view about - they may even suggest a form of words, and what should go in. (Though it's not quite like the blurb, about which the author has very little say - that's all written by the editor and marketing team at the publishing house, and the author just gets shown it for approval.) Publishers increasingly dislike authors who shy away from publicity and wish to be anonymous. They expect you to have a website with information about yourself (and pics!), to turn up for signings, etc., all to get you gradually 'known', as part of selling the book. Some contracts even specify all this stuff up-front.

Rosy

^ That makes sense. I think authors would sell more books if they appear to be friendlier and more open.