Im getting to ready submit a short story and one of the requirements is a short bio. If I've never been published before, what is the right approach to this without screwing it up or making myself look bad? Thanks for the help. Carl
Many ezines and magazines include the bios in when they publish the work. If that's the case, something like: Carl ____ lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and pet boa constrictor. In addition to being an amateur film maker, he enjoys writing horror and westerns. Sometimes they list word limits. If they request a publishing bio, and you don't have one, then a bio would not be included, or indicate whatever the title of the short story you submitted would be your first published story. That could be worked into the bio above as well, but if you're concerned about not having a publishing record, then don't include it.
They're a small press company and the guidelines were minimal, other than word count(which is fine) and format, but they want a small bio, no previous published work is required, although Im sure if you do, you would list it. But it doesnt state that its mandatory. I kind of had an idea, just never did one before and didnt want to come off as a doofus.
If they have stories published online that you can view, see what the bios are that accompany the stories, if any. That may give you a good idea what they're looking for.
Just be true and include in your bio that you are a first time writer and that this short story is your first work...
