Writing a bio paragraph in a fiction query letter

In a previous post, I discussed the metadata paragraph in a query letter, which often comes first in a fiction query letter, or after your pitch. Today, I thought I'd outline the paragraph that comes at the end of a query letter: the bio paragraph.

You've done the hard work of crafting your pitch, and now all that's left to do is the bio paragraph. Easy, right? Well, not everyone thinks it is! Many writers wonder what they're supposed to say and find it often as stressful as writing the pitch (or more so).

I'm here to tell you a strong bio paragraph doesn't need to be impressive or clever. It just needs to be clear and professional.

So let's take a look at what a query letter bio is for, what agents actually want to see, and how to write one that supports your submission.

Note: I'm talking about a bio paragraph for FICTION writers. For memoir and nonfiction writers, they can differ.

What the bio paragraph is and why it matters

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The bio paragraph is the part of your query letter where you give an agent a brief overview of who you are as a writer. Its purpose isn't to sell your book (that's the job of the pitch; more on that in another post) or to convince an agent to like you personally.

Instead, agents use the bio to assess whether you have relevant experience, credentials, or background that supports the manuscript they're considering. In many cases, the bio simply confirms professionalism or shows that you understand industry expectations.

In terms of tone, it should be confident but not stiff or self-deprecating.

Where to put your bio paragraph and how long it should be

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As mentioned at the beginning of this post, the bio paragraph is best positioned at the end of your query letter, after you've provided the housekeeping details of your novel with the metadata paragraph and your pitch, and before your closing line.

The bio paragraph should be concise. As the name suggests, it should be ONE paragraph that reads cleanly. It should not be several paragraphs long. Instead, think 1-3 sentences.

This shows your understanding of the industry: an agent's time is tight. Agents receive thousands of queries a year, so keeping things short and sweet will be appreciated.

What to include in your bio paragraph in a fiction query letter

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Now, onto the meat! What should your bio paragraph include for a fiction query? As I said above, this is basically an overview of you as a writer, not your full life story.

Start with any writing credentials, such as any writing-related formal education, courses, workshops or memberships. These indicate your commitment to writing.

Then include any relevant professional experience if it connects to your manuscript. For example, if you're writing a legal thriller and you work as a legal assistant, it's worth mentioning. Or perhaps you're writing a book set in the Renaissance and you're a historian specialising in this time period.

If you've ever been published (for example, a short story in a magazine), or if you've won an award or made a shortlist, mention them. That said, naming a few of the best (such as those in the same genre as the manuscript you are querying) is preferrable to listing every publication and award you've ever won. You can always link to your website (if you have one) where agents can read more about your awards.

Some authors also choose to mention their platform, such as subscribers to a blog, newsletter or social media numbers to show you can reach an audience. Keep this simple if you do, rather than listing all your follower numbers across every social media channel. It can lead to a cluttered bio paragraph.

If you're reading this and thinking, “I don't have anything like that,” don't panic! Many writers don't have a creative writing degree, relevant experience or any awards to mention, and that's absolutely fine. If that's the case, you can simply mention your background, where you're based, or what inspired you to write the story your querying. Keep it short and sweet.

What NOT to include

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It's also important to know what you should NOT include in your bio paragraph.

An agent's time is limited, so make sure you don't include irrelevant personal details and long backstories. Agents don't need to know every aspect of your writing journey and your entire career history.

This goes back to what I said earlier: your bio paragraph should NOT be more than one paragraph in length. An agent is not going to wade through several paragraphs of awards and stories about all your different pets and favourite books.

Lastly, don't apologise for your lack of writing credentials or experience. And don't say this is your first attempt at writing. The goal is to sound confident and professional, so don't sell yourself short.

Key takeaways

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So there you have it. A guide to composing a clean, succinct bio paragraph. Make sure you keep it:

• Short (ONE paragraph!)

• Professional

• Relevant

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you check out my post on the metadata paragraph in a query letter, and keep an eye out for future posts – I'm planning one on loglines and on the pitch in a query letter. Stay tuned!

If you have any questions about the bio paragraph in a query letter, let me know in the comments.

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Thanks, and see you soon!