Dear OAbby: What Goes in the Bio Section of a Query Letter?

Dear OAbby is a new feature on Operation Awesome where we answer your questions! It's an advice column by writers, for writers, chock-full of information about writing, querying, the publication process, etc. If you have a question you'd like answered, just send it to operationawesome6@gmail.com. All questions may be edited for clarity and/or space, and will be posted anonymously, with no identifying information.

Dear OAbby,

A few years ago I took a "by application only" class with one of the top authors in the same genre that I write in. Is that something I should include in the bio part of a query letter?

Sincerely, 
Querying Author

Dear Querying Author,

As with many questions in life (and in the world of writing and publishing), the answer to your question is a definitive 'maybe.' It really depends on what happened during the class. Did the author work directly with you on your book? Was the book you were working on during the class the same book you're querying now? Did they give you any solid critique or compliments you can use to your advantage in a query? For example, if the author told you, "this book is the best example of a realistic were-fox/mermaid relationship I've ever seen in print!" then feel free to to put something like, "I took a by-application-only class with Author X, and after reading an excerpt of my work, they said this book was the best example of a realistic were-fox/mermaid relationship they'd ever seen." Something like that is concrete (and complimentary) enough to use the precious space in a query letter on.

'By application only' might be useful, but again, it depends on the details. Were you chosen from a pool of thousands of applicants? Did your selection depend on a writing excerpt, and was the writing excerpt from the book you're currently querying? If the answer to either of these questions is no, then it's probably not relevant in a query.

On the other hand, if you took the class and didn't get any positive, personalized feedback on the work you're currently querying, then it's probably not worth including. Instead, if you choose to include bio information in your query, it should be one or two items that will really sell you as an author. Did your writing win a prize in a prestigious contest? Are you an #ownvoices writer? Is your novel about a time-traveling doctor in Scotland, while you are also a time-traveling doctor living in Scotland? These are good kinds of credentials to include. If you don't have these credentials, then just leave out the bio! Typically, agents don't expect bio information, nor will they look askance at a query that doesn't include it. Focus on the plot and characters in your book and maybe a couple of comps.

Happy Writing!

Please Welcome Melinda!

Greetings writer folks!

I’m Melinda Friesen, one of the new kids here, and I’m super excited to get to know you all.

About Writer Me:

Most of my novels are young adult sci-fi, but I’ve also ventured into young adult contemporary, middle grade fantasy and new adult paranormal romance. In addition, I write literary and genre short stories. I’ve been querying novels and sending out short stories for four years and have well over a hundred rejections on file. Do I get a trophy for that? I think I should get a trophy.

In November of 2014, I finally got to hold, caress, snuggle my first published novel, Enslavement (YA sci-fi/dystopian). It was surreal. I didn’t cry. I did, however, feel like throwing up.

About Day Job Me:

Like most writers, I have a day job. I’m Marketing Director and Acquisitions Editor at Rebelight Publishing Inc., a small Canadian publisher. I love fishing jewels out of the slush pile, getting to know authors and sharing great books with the world.

About Regular Me:

I have a husband and four kids. Three of the kids are teenagers, an age group I absolutely love. I’d take teens over toddlers any day. Writing is my favourite thing to do, but I also jog to keep my butt from looking too writerly. I belong to two writers’ groups, both of which are awesome. I can recite all 50 states in alphabetical order in under a minute. I’m originally from Oregon, but have lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for 21 years now.

Question of the day: Should having oodles of rejection letters to your name be a badge of honour or a dunce cap of shame? You know how I feel about it, but I'd like to hear what you think. Please leave a comment. 

I love to interact on social media. Twitter: @melindafriesen  Facebook: MelindaFriesen1 Find me and we can swap rejection stories.

This is my official author picture. I was informed by some fourth graders I was speaking to that it doesn’t look like me. 

This is my book. Forgive her, she stares.

Author Bio Mad Libs

At some point, whether you're writing short stories or novels, you're going to be asked for an author bio -- that quick little blurb that gives readers a glimpse into who you are. Since joining the wonderful folks at Operation Awesome, I've been reading and researching author bios in order to put together a little something to tell OA readers a little something about myself. 

After discovering that many author bios follow a similar format, I took that format at turned it into an "Author Bio Mad Libs" for your amusement -- and who knows, maybe it can help you write your own author bio as well.

Before you read mine, try it out for yourself!

AUTHOR BIO MAD LIBS

Step 1: Jot down a word or phrase for each of the descriptions below

1. Full name:
2. Genre:
3. Noun:
4. Adjective:
5. Plural noun:
6. Award:
7. Occupation:
8. Gerund (non-finite action verb, usually ending in -ing):
9. State:
10. Number:
11. Adjective:
12. Animal:
13. College major:
14. 2-3 random letters:
15. Gerund:
16. Place:
17. Gerund:
18. Beverage:
19. Sport:
20. Famous author:
21. Verb:

Step 2: Scroll down and fill in your answers in the author bio below!

(your name) is a (genre) author who has written about everything from (noun) to (adjective) (plural noun) and has won a (award) for his/her nonfiction book, "The (occupation)'s Guide to (gerund)." S/He lives in (state) with his/her family and (number) (adjective) (animal)s. S/He is a (college major) graduate of (2-3 random letters) and has enjoyed (gerund) in (place), (gerund) (beverage), and playing (sport) with his/her close friend and mentor, (famous author). S/He aspires to someday be the first full-time author to (verb) on the moon.

In case you were wondering, here's mine (with some tweaks for accuracy):

Wendy Nikel is a speculative fiction author who has written about everything from time travel to magical islands. She lives in Utah with her family and four imaginary puppies. She is an elementary ed graduate and enjoys taking photographs, drinking chai tea, and playing board games.

Post your Mad Libs Author Bio in the comments! How accurate is it?