How To Write A Manuscript For A Book
How to Write a Biography
Author: Curtis Foster
Now that you’ve slaved for hours over writing the perfect manuscript, synopsis and query letter you can take it easy, right? The biography is just personal commentary that lets readers meet the real you. It’s time for you to take a bow and talk about how many dogs and cats you have at home. Not quite. It is true that author biographies do introduce you to your readers; however, it is still a business-oriented feature, and one that you should give serious thought to before you submit. Be aware that not all publishers even want to see a biography. They will have plenty to read with your proposal, synopsis and sample chapters. Some will request it, and you can rest assured that if they do, they want you to focus on relevant experience and education.
Obviously, if you possess special experience or knowledge on the subject that you are writing it would be a big mistake not to mention it! Additional qualifications may include previously published books or short stories (in major publications) and any college degrees. Some authors may get away with including personal information in their bio, though it usually written as an aspect of marketing. For instance, if you’re writing a book about a serial killer, it’s always a good idea to include a reminder saying that you’re a happily married family man or woman. Best selling authors obviously can put more personal detail into their biographies, since readers know who they are and enjoy reading new little details.
As for new writers? It’s great to write your own personal biography, but put it on your website! The only information you will be providing will be anything that directly relates to the theme of the book. If you work in publishing and are writing a book on common grammatical errors, then you might include that piece of information in your biography. If you are writing about mental illness and have a job working in a clinic, then this situation might also demand a biography mention. Listing general college degrees or non-graduate experience might not be such a great idea unless they directly apply to the subject at hand.
When you are citing publishing experience, give references and names that are Internet-searchable. Obviously, making up imaginary companies won’t do anyone a bit of good. Some amateur writers may confuse any and all literary achievements with professional experience. A self-published book is only impressive if you have garnered an exceptional number of sales. A short story published in an online magazine is not always a prestigious accomplishment. Writing web content is not the same thing as writing a detective novel. These are some logical points to keep in mind when writing a biography.
What should you do if you don’t have any past accomplishments to speak of? Then just don’t include anything. Most editors won’t even ask for a biography if they understand they are working with a new author. Every detail in publishing is related to marketing. Keep that perspective in mind as you work your way up in the ranks of this industry.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/publishing-articles/how-to-write-a-biography-485166.html
About the Author
Curtis Foster provides self publishing and writing tips on LovelyPublishing.com.
Tagged with: free publishing • how to write a book • self publish • self publishing
Filed under: Uncategorized
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As far as the manuscript itself is concerned,
8-1/2×11 plain white paper printed on one side
1 inch margin on all sides
12 point Courier or Times New Roman font
Double space between lines
Your name and mailing address on the first page
Your last name and the title on all other pages
Approximate word count on the first page (to within the nearest thousand words)
Visit http://www.writersdigest.com to see if there is anything I have forgotten.
Work on writing one book at a time.
Write your story. Type it in proper manuscript form. Edit it many times to make it as good as it can be. Put it in a drawer, and don’t even think about it, for a month or two, then take it out and do more editing. Get it proofread by someone who knows what they are doing (do not rely only on spellcheck).
When you have a finished and edited manuscript, then you can start looking for an agent.
Find some books/writers you really like and then write the publisher a nice cover letter and send them a resume.
Getting an agent and getting a publisher are two different things. If you want an agent, you have to have a completed mssc to show them – otherwise the don’t know if you have enough talent, perseverance and ability to make it worth their time to handle your stuff.
If you are bypassing an agent and presenting your material directly to a publisher, you start by writing a query letter – outline your story (briefly) and present your writing credentials.If they are interested they will ask to see a sample – say 50 pages of the manuscript. If they like that they will ask to see the whole thing.
Obviously, you are in a much better position to deal with either an agent or a publisher if you have a completed manuscript. Editors will work with their writers as long as required – down to the last comma – to get the book right. What you submit to your publisher is often several stages away from being a finished manuscript, even though you may think you have finished with it.
If you’re a celebrity, whose name alone will sell a book, none of the above applies. But if you’re just an uncelebrated writer, then it does.
I think you should discuss the addition of photos after your manuscript is accepted.
If the photos absolutely have to be included, make color copies of them if necessary.
Use one-inch margins all around and Times New Roman at font 12.
You can always place it in double-space format at your leisure by highlighting the text and then press Ctrl and the number 2.
Usually, the first paragraph of the book is not indented; only the succeeding paragraphs are indented.
When writing a book, how do you include photos in the manuscript?
What format do publishers want to receive photos in? How do you get rights to use other peoples photos? Any info on including photos in a book manuscript for a first time writer would be appreciated. This if for a non-fiction book.
Write the book or secure an agent first?
Someone told me that writers don’t write the manuscript first, they secure an agent and then write it, as editors tend to shy away from potential clients with finished manuscripts because there is usually less involvement of the editor. Is this true? If so, how do you get an agent if you haven’t written anything? JUst based on your pitch for a book???
How can I type my manuscript for my book?
I have all of my information, now I am going to put everything into words and write my book. It is going to be a non-fiction, factual book. What manuscript format do I need to use?
How can I get paid to write book reviews?
A family member suggested that I hook up with a publishing company that pays the public to read manuscripts and write reviews for them before they go to print, but I don’t know how to get into it.. How can I go about doing this?
What is the correct manuscript format for a book and how do you write one? How to get a book series punlished?
Also, I’ve been trying to write a book series, and I realize the manuscript must be done first. If there’s five books do I ahve to write all five manuscripts at once beofre a query any. Or can I handle it one book at a time. How do you get a series published?