|
Tolu Oloruntoba@toluini.bsky.social |
Question for the audience: When you read an author’s bio (on a book jacket or elsewhere), what kind of information are you looking for? (Crosspost, because I actually need this info)
27 replies 7 reposts 27 likes
|
Pumpkin
@pumpkinstars.bsky.social
[ View ] |
relevance to the book. but also it really depends on the genre of book. i want to know their background if it’s non fiction like explaining cultural phenomenon. and if it’s fantasy non fiction i like silly bios also this is an old data point bc i haven’t been able to read a book in a long time
1 replies 0 reposts 2 likes
|
|
Sonofrojblake
@simonpblake.bsky.social
[ View ] |
A magnificent pulverbatch.
0 replies 0 reposts 0 likes
|
Gryftkin
@gryftkin.bsky.social
[ View ] |
If you want to see a few options, check out Seanan McGuire’s website. She has an “official bio” and a few fun ones which I thoroughly enjoyed. 😅. But mostly listen to Tade 😉. Give them just a brief glimpse of the human behind the plume 😁
1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
J.L. Henker - Author
@jlhenker.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Anything interesting about their background, maybe where they grew up, what they’re passionate about.
1 replies 0 reposts 3 likes
|
(Enn) Nafnlaus 🇮🇸 🇺🇦
@nafnlaus.bsky.social
[ View ] |
"<AuthorName> is a Large Language Model created by OpenAI..." 😅
0 replies 0 reposts 3 likes
|
Malimar
@malimar.bsky.social
[ View ] |
When I read author bios, I'm rarely looking for information, I'm usually reading it in case it's amusing. So: probably mimic the tone of the book? eg If your book is funny, make the bio funny.
0 replies 0 reposts 2 likes
|
Jerf Blerkman
@jeffblackman.bsky.social
[ View ] |
A couple interesting titles, something unusual, a hint of personality.
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
Kate Sweeney
@klsweeney.bsky.social
[ View ] |
I like to know where they live, though I understand that there are plenty of reasons they may not want to share that. I had to think for a bit about why I like that, and I think it’s because the librarian in me is always looking for potential programs and I want to know if they’re local to me.
1 replies 0 reposts 2 likes
|
Sekhburd
@sekhburd.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Where they are from/grew up. Always interesting to know what kind of state/country someone grew up in
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
colin meows
@colinmeows.bsky.social
[ View ] |
To see if they like cats.
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
Leigh G
@yogaleigh.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Interesting question. I'm usually just kind of interested in knowing something about the author -- and find most of the bios on the jackets pretty uninformative. But I couldn't tell you a specific thing I'm looking for.
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
slowfox
@slooowfox.bsky.social
[ View ] |
I'm a sucker for the personal bits, "lives in the woods with their spouse and three pets" is an all-time winner. I also kind of love it when authors throw it away to make a joke or be cryptic, etc., to match the mood or genre of the book.
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
E-W
@edashw.bsky.social
[ View ] |
I like to know where they live / lived because it tends to color their settings.
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
Pellechs
@pellechs.bsky.social
[ View ] |
I like to read the basics: where they grew up, education if it’s relevant (non-fiction specifically), who they live with and what they like to do and think about. Love humor and a good pet shoutout. If it’s useful to you, I’m very careful not to read any of that until I’m done with the book!
1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
Tade Thompson
@tadethompson.bsky.social
[ View ] |
I'm looking for a glimpse. My favourites have always been these two: "Zadie Smith was born in north-west London in 1975, and continues to live in the area. White Teeth is her first novel." "Indira Knight lives and works in London."
1 replies 0 reposts 6 likes
|
Leslie Farnsworth
@lesliefarnsworth.com
[ View ] |
I'm less interested in the credentials (previous publications, awards, where they did their MFA) and more interested in a few insights into who they are as a person.
1 replies 0 reposts 2 likes
|
Rae Patterson
@rae-patterson.bsky.social
[ View ] |
I like to see anything that shows me what they bring to writing this book. That might be something as simple as their place of residence, or it might be something as complex as their history as a refugee or their degree in linguistics. I am always looking for a reason to get the book.
0 replies 0 reposts 3 likes
|
Cate
@midcatecrisis.bsky.social
[ View ] |
If they are writing about a specific culture (including what we usually consider culture but also disability, sexuality, gender identity, etc.), it's helpful to know if they are a member of that culture. It's not automatically disqualifying if not, but given their writing a different weight.
1 replies 0 reposts 9 likes
|
kate
@katecrane.bsky.social
[ View ] |
where are they from, have they written other books, do they have a podcast, where have they taught (if applicable), did they write the book on their phone in the car on breaks from a day job, what do they do to pay the bills
1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
Wudang96 💜🌻
@wudang96.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Generally? Who are you? Awards? Why did you write this? What is the point of my reading it? What would you like me to take away? Why should I read your work? What about you as the author would encourage me to read it? Other books you have written? That's pretty much it for me. Hope this helps.
1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
Aaron Tuner
@synfinatic.bsky.social
[ View ] |
How many cats do you have, why do you worship them, and what are their names.
1 replies 0 reposts 3 likes
|
Jay Besemer
@divinetailor.bsky.social
[ View ] |
other recent books they may have written/shows/performances if applicable, honors if applicable, website. i like an author photo, but some don’t. short & sweet! i don’t need to know about day jobs or location unless that’s tied to the book itself somehow.
0 replies 0 reposts 2 likes
|
Charlie Petch
@sawpoet.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Looking for pronouns and where in the world they live and the lineages that shaped them. Also I love an animal making it into a bio and especially if they do other artistic practice
1 replies 0 reposts 2 likes
|
Dan Sandler
@danielsand.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Where they live, their first book, and have they won any distinctions/awards.
0 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
Sudeshna
@sudeshna.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Where did they grow up. What are their hobbies.
0 replies 0 reposts 0 likes
|
Roostermilk Jones
@roostermilk.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Personal tidbits: did they spend their childhood in a cult, do they know the taste of human flesh… you know, trivia.
1 replies 0 reposts 1 likes
|
Eileen Wilson
@glensidetwo2.bsky.social
[ View ] |
Why do you assume people read it at all?
1 replies 0 reposts 0 likes