Originally published: March 2024 | Last updated: November 2024

So you’ve written a book (or you’re about to). Now someone Googles your name and… crickets. Or worse, they land on a LinkedIn profile from 2015.

Readers don’t just buy books anymore—they buy into authors. Your About me page is where curiosity turns into connection, and connection turns into loyal readers who’ll preorder your next release.

Most authors aren’t as recognizable as J.K. Rowling or Stephen King. When people discover your book, they’ll want to know who YOU are. Your About page is where readers get a glimpse into your world as a writer—your story, your voice, your vibe.

Why Do You Need an Author About Page?

Think of your author website as home base for everything related to your writing. While you might have landing pages for individual books or a contact form, your About page is where readers come to connect with the human behind the words.

A well-crafted About page helps you:

• Build trust with potential readers
• Increase book sales through connection
• Establish your online presence
• Give readers a reason to follow your journey

As an author, you need a page that shows your human side. Start with your author photo, a compelling bio, and links to where readers can connect with you.

Let’s dig into how to create an About page that actually works.

How to write an “about the author” page

If you’ve already published, you might have a bio from your book jacket. That’s a decent starting point, but your website gives you room to expand and show more personality.

Think about how you want to connect with readers.

• What do you want them to know about you?
• What will make them care about your work?

Use a Tone That Fits Your Author Brand

Everyone writes in a certain tone. To find yours, ask yourself:

• How do I stand apart from other authors in my genre?
• What makes my writing unique?
• What do readers say about my books? (Check those reviews!)
• Are there recurring themes or messages in my work?

Your personal values should shine through in your tone. Are you funny? Heartfelt? Mysterious? Academic? Let that personality come through consistently across your website, blog, and social media.

You are an author, but you’re also a brand. Your brand is how readers experience you when they’re not actively reading your books. Focus on being memorable and connecting with your readers.

Open with a One-liner

You have about three seconds to catch someone’s attention. A witty, compelling opening line can hook readers immediately.

Write TO your reader, not about yourself. What quick sentence or two will make them think, “Okay, I like this person”?

Remember that you are writing to your reader – not yourself. How can you write a quick, possibly witty sentence or two that your reader will immediately connect with?

Here are three examples of killer opening lines:

Example 1: Tim Ferris (The 4-Hour Workweek) leads with a quote:

A cross between Jack Welch and a Buddhist monk.
— The New York Times

Example 2: Tara Westover (Educated: A Memoir) uses self-aware humor:

Below is a bio, awkwardly written in the third person. Because people keep asking me for it.

Example 3: Lisa Wingate  (Shelterwood) goes straight for the credentials:

Lisa Wingate is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Before We Were Yours, which remained on the NYT Bestseller List for over two years, has been translated into over forty languages worldwide, and has sold more than three million copies.

Notice how different these are? Tim uses a memorable quote. Tara breaks the fourth wall with humor. Lisa leads with impressive stats. All three work because they match the author’s brand.

Your opening should feel authentic to YOU.

Come Across As a Credible Source

Readers want to know why they should trust you with their time and money. This is where you establish credibility.

What if this is your first book? No problem. You might not have publishing credentials yet, but you probably have expertise in other areas.

Before I published my first book, I highlighted my 10+ years in marketing and 20+ years writing poetry, blogs, and articles. That experience counted, even though I was a debut author.

Here’s what you can include to build credibility:

• Mention credentials related to your book’s subject matter
• List any books you’ve written
• Include awards, features, or recognition you’ve received
• Add testimonials or reviews from readers
• Reference guest posts, articles, or media appearances
• Drop relevant names if appropriate (mentors, endorsements, etc.)

Keep it interesting and scannable, but make sure readers get what they need to trust you.

Let’s look at three complete author page examples:

Example 4: Kristin Hannah:

Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People’s Choice award for best fiction in the same year. Additionally, it was a selection of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club in 2023. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

Notice how Kristin proudly showcases awards and recognition. Even if you haven’t won awards yet, think about ANY kind of recognition you’ve received and use that as a starting point.

Example 5: Daniel James Brown:

“Daniel James Brown has done it again. His rich, nuanced recreation of the dark years when thousands of our fellow citizens were incarcerated because of their ancestry is a must-read contribution to the history of the 20th century.”

—TIMOTHY EGAN, AUTHOR OF THE WORST HARD TIME

Daniel’s About page is fairly basic, but leading with a powerful endorsement from another respected author does heavy lifting. Reviews and testimonials can be just as credible as a list of achievements.

Example 6: David Grann:

Grann holds master’s degrees in international relations (from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy) and creative writing (from Boston University). After graduating from Connecticut College, in 1989, he received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship and did research in Mexico, where he began his career in journalism.

David includes his educational background and shows how his career started. This is a great reminder for new authors: you don’t need a bestseller to have a story worth telling. Highlight your journey, even if it started outside of book publishing.

What if you haven’t published yet?

You can still establish credibility:

• Teaching credential? “Former high school English teacher”
• Industry experience? “Spent 15 years as an ER nurse” (great for medical fiction)
• Writing community? “MFA graduate” or “Published in [Literary Magazine X]”
• Relevant life experience? “Thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail” (perfect for adventure writing)

Tell Your Story (But Not Your WHOLE Story)

You don’t need to include every detail from birth to present. But readers do want to relate to you.

Consider sharing:

• Where you’re from
• What your background is
• The journey you took to become a writer
• A pivotal moment that led to this career

Look back at the author examples above. How did they weave their background into their bio? Use that as inspiration, but make it your own.

What Else Should You Include on Your Author About Page?

Upcoming Book Releases

If you have a new book launching soon or you’re working on your next project, mention it! Some authors create dedicated landing pages for each book, which is great. Just make sure readers can easily find info about what’s coming next.

Include a Call-to-Action

Don’t just tell readers about yourself—give them something to DO next.

Your About page should include a clear call-to-action:

• A button linking to your latest book
• An invitation to join your newsletter
• Images of your book covers with “buy now” links
• An opt-in for exclusive content or a free chapter

The best CTAs feel like invitations, not sales pitches. Instead of just “buy my book,” try:

• “Join my launch team for early access”
• “Get a free short story when you subscribe”
• “Preorder now and receive exclusive bonus content”
• “Sign up to be the first to know about new releases”

Give readers options and make it easy for them to take the next step.

Connect with Social Media & Beyond

Make it easy for readers to find you on the platforms where you’re most active.

The social media landscape has shifted since 2024. Here’s what to consider:

Essential platforms for authors:

• Instagram – Huge for book marketing (#Bookstagram)
• TikTok – BookTok has become a major sales driver
• Facebook – Still strong for author pages and reader groups
• Threads or Bluesky – Newer platforms gaining traction with readers

Don’t forget:

• Newsletter platforms like Substack, ConvertKit, or Beehiiv
• Patreon if you offer exclusive content
• YouTube or podcasts if you create video/audio content
• Goodreads author profile

Add social icons or links prominently on your About page. If you’re using WordPress, there are plenty of plugins that make this easy (check out WPBeginner for recommendations).

Also include your contact details or a link to your contact form so readers can reach you.

Newsletter Integration: Your Secret Weapon

In 2024-2025, the smartest authors aren’t just collecting email addresses—they’re building communities.

Consider highlighting:

• Your Substack if you publish essays or updates there
• A newsletter signup with a compelling freebie (first chapter, exclusive short story, etc.)
• Your Patreon for superfans who want deeper access
• Any other platform where you’re building a reader community

Pro tip: Stuck on writing your bio? Tools like ChatGPT can help you draft a starting point, but don’t let AI write your final version. Readers can smell generic content from a mile away. Use AI for brainstorming, then inject YOUR voice and personality.

Common About Page Mistakes to Avoid

• Writing in the wrong person. Third person feels stiff for some authors; first person too casual for others. Choose what fits your brand.
• Including your entire life story. Keep it relevant to your writing journey.
• Never updating it. Refresh your page after new releases, awards, or major milestones.
• All credentials, zero personality. Balance achievements with humanity.
• No clear next step. Always give readers something to do (subscribe, follow, buy, etc.).

Your Turn

Your About page isn’t set in stone. Start with something simple, authentic, and true to your voice. You can always refine it as you grow as an author—and you should. Treat it like a living document, not a time capsule.

The best About pages feel like having coffee with the author. So, write yours as if you’re talking to a friend who just asked, “So, what do you write?”

Then, give them a reason to stick around for the answer.