Hi guys,

I am so new to this whole writing scene that I don't know anything. I wrote a
crime novel sent it to a great agent and they loved it, now they have requested a 'bio note' consisting of one to two pages. I haven't a clue what this is and I didn't want to call them up and look as stupid as I feel. I am guessing it isn't a cv and maybe it's one of those things that reads; 'Mo was born in Liverpool, as a child..... etc' or maybe it reads; 'I was born in Liverpool, as a child....' HELP!! totally clueless. So if you could let me know as well as tell me what goes in it, I suspect not the amount of O levels but maybe I'm wrong. Plus they asked for a photo. Is this just one photo attached to email or is it like acting where you send a batch of the same photo? Big Thanks in advance!

There are a few agencies that ask for them but most people have nothing worth writing about - I certainly don't and for that reason tend to avoid submitting to such places
However, you're right it's not like a CV listing your qualifications and work experience, but more of a character sketch and any writing credits and any CW courses you've been on. If you don't have the latter, then maybe just give them a character sketch of yourself.

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PS. Good luck with the submission!

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Oh, and one photo, unless they've specified a number.

Hi, Thanks for getting back so quickly. I forgot to say that it apprently is to go

to the publishers as the agency has taken me on. So when you say a character sketch

is that like I mentioned before, ie. Mo was born in Liverpool etc...

Sorry that I'm being dense, I just have no clue, I need a step by step guide!

I'm assuming something reasonably light-hearted and written in the first person, but probably a question better answered by one the published members on WW.

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oops, sorry, it's for the publisher, so 3rd person. Will the agent be rewriting it for the publisher?

most people have nothing worth writing about - I certainly don't

Naomi, if you could only see yourself as I do...

More seriously, a friend of mine suggested finding three friends to write three paragraphs about you, then cherry-picking the bits that make you laugh.

Still waiting on the results, but I couldn't fault his logic for getting past false modesty, self-deception, blinkered self-image... not to mention a reality check on how weird you really are.

G

Congratulations on bagging a great agent! It all sounds very exciting. I wouldn't sweat the bio thing too much. They just want to have something they can put in front of publishers to give them a bit of an idea of who you are. Of course, if you can think of anything quirky about your life history or background, then stick it in. The publishers will probably latch on to it!