Creating an Author Bio by MaryBeth Mulhall
(Warning: If you’re in a time crunch, skip to the bottom for a quick rundown of steps)
So you’re finally a member of this fantastic #amwriting site. Congratulations and welcome! Take a look around. See that huge list of authors to your right on the home page? That list links to every author’s personal bio information. What? You want to see your name there? I think that can be arranged, but we’ll need your help!
First, make sure you've signed up with a username and password.
You’ll need to start out on the home page (and you must be logged in). From there, scroll down to the blue box at the bottom of the page. There you will find a short list of links under Author Admin. Click that link that says Register (if you don't have an account on the site) or Log In (if you do). Once you are logged in, come back to this same page and click on Site Admin. It’s OK. I promise.
Took you somewhere new, didn’t it? Good. Good. Things are going according to plan! On the top left hand corner, you will see a little push pin icon next to the word Posts. Mouse over the word and it will change color and you’ll see a drop down arrow appear. Click that arrow and three choices appear like magic! You want the one that says Add New. That’s going to pop up a new area where you can add all your fascinating information.
Now the cursor should be blinking in a long blank box under the words Add New Post. Your full name should go in that box (fyi: how you type it is how it will appear on the author list). Once your name is filled in, move to the large box below all the icons and buttons. That is where you will tell us a little about yourself. Feel free to add your name, the genre(s) you write, your favorite color, your cat’s name, etc.
Isn’t this easy so far?
Here’s where it can get a little more complicated, but I have faith you can handle it. Remember all those buttons and icons you by-passed in order to write the bulk of your info? Well you can go back to those and mouse over them to see what each one does. They will allow you to add a photo, links, etc. (I suggest you look at both the visual and the HTML tabs). If you look at other people’s bios you will see they linked to blogs and Twitter accounts and added amazing photos of themselves. You can do it too with those buttons. Good luck!
So, after you’ve got everything put in, you’ve only got a couple more steps to get on that list. Before you do anything else, I want you to look to the right of the screen. There you’ll find a box called Categories. Second check box down says Author Bios (use only for bios!). Go ahead and click on that one, please. If you don’t, your name isn’t going on that list. No it’s not a punishment; it’s just that the site won’t know that your post belongs there.
Got that done? Good.
You’re almost there, I swear. Right above that Categories box you’ll find a box called Publishing. You can click the Preview button to see what your bio will look like. Go ahead and do that. I’ll wait. *Whistles Jeopardy theme music* Like it? Good! Now you’re set to submit it for the rest of us to gaze upon in wonder and rapture. Go ahead and hit that mesmerizing blue button with the word Submit for Review on it in white. Ta Da! You’re done. As soon as your bio is reviewed, you'll join the ranks of the rest of us authors. Congratulations! We can’t wait to learn all about you!
The rundown:
1) Click Site Admin on home page under Author Admin (bottom right corner)
2) Click Add New under Posts
3) Put your name in the title box
4) Enter bulk of info in the larger box
5) Use buttons to add pictures and links
6) Check off Author Bio under the Categories box to the right
7) Preview (make changes if needed)
8 ) Submit for Review
9) Success!
EDIT: To help you and others find your posts, be sure to use tags (over there on the right hand side)!
