Why 99% of Aspiring Authors Quit (And How You Can Avoid It)
Imagine this: you’re at a bustling book fair, surrounded by the hum of excited voices. The crowd is a mix of writers and avid readers. You feel both at home and slightly intimidated by the energy of the space.
You wander to a small book stall, scanning the shelves filled with enticing titles. The choices overwhelm you—so many books. Which one to get and which one to leave. Standing next to you, a woman picks up a book and glances your way. You strike up a conversation. She’s knowledgeable, confident, and passionate about books.
Before you know it, she’s helping you choose a couple of titles. Gathering your courage, you ask, “Are you in the industry?”
“I’m a book blogger,” she replies casually.
Your heart skips a beat. “I’m writing a book too,” you blurt out.
“Oh, really? Do you want to write a guest post about your book on my blog?” she offers with a warm smile.
“Yes, absolutely!” You can hardly believe your luck. What better way to start spreading the word about your book?
“Great! Send me your author bio, and we’ll go from there,” she says before disappearing into the crowd.
The excitement carries you home, but as you sit at your computer staring at the blinking cursor, uncertainty creeps in. What do you say in your author bio?
You’ve been writing for years on various topics, but none of them seem relevant to your current book. You read other author bios on the book blogger’s site, and they all sound so polished and impressive. You, on the other hand, feel like you have no credentials worth mentioning.
“I’m just starting out,” you mutter. “What could I possibly say?”
This isn’t the first time you’ve felt stuck. You’ve missed other opportunities because of this one seemingly small thing. A local bookstore passed you over for their "Local Authors Spotlight" because your hastily written bio didn’t grab their attention. A podcaster moved on to another author when you couldn't provide a professional bio for their show notes.
Weeks later, still not being able to write her bio, feeling intimated by other writers you give up the idea of writing that book telling yourself your were never good enough to write that book and writing is just a pass time hobby for you. Maybe you’ll just stick with reading from now on and join some reading groups.
Does this sound familiar?
It could easily have been my story.
“What should I write about?”
This question haunted me in my early days. Not knowing the answer, I wrote whatever caught my fancy at the time. Writing felt like a hobby?
But it wasn’t. My passion for the craft ran too deep to let it be just a hobby. I wanted to make an impact on my readers. I wanted to transform them with my words. I wanted my efforts to mean something.
Here’s the truth: most writers don’t fail because they lack talent; they fail because they never figure out who they are as writers.
Before you write your first word, you need to answer two critical questions:
Who are you as a writer?
What do you stand for?
These aren’t just philosophical questions—they’re fundamental business questions.
Because at the end of the day, being an author means running your own business. You can write all you want, but without clarity about who you are and what you stand for, you’ll struggle to reach the readers whose lives you want to change with your words.
And here’s where your author bio comes in—it answers these questions for you and your audience.
Your author bio isn't just about listing credentials. It's about connecting with your readers and showing them why your voice matters.
Author Bio Brings Clarity
The most powerful thing your author bio does for you is bring clarity—it helps you define what you stand for and ensures that this is reflected in your writing.
It keeps you aligned with your core purpose as a writer.
For example, let’s say you’re a writer in your fifties, sharing personal stories that convey the lessons you’ve learned in life. But occasionally, you write about your travels or express your political views. Deep down, you know these topics don’t align with your main message, yet you can’t help it because you’re unclear about what you truly want to write and who you want to reach. Writing is your passion, and you hope readers will feel that passion in your work.
Here’s the problem:
People are overwhelmed with material to read these days. They need to know who you are and what you write about before they decide to follow your work. They want to feel a connection with you.
Now let’s say you write your bio and it reads like this:
Suzana Mckinnon is a writer in her fifties who believes that the most profound lessons come from everyday experiences. Through her heartfelt personal stories, she shares the wisdom she’s gained over a lifetime of challenges, growth, and discovery. Her writing reflects her passion for helping others find meaning, connection, and inspiration in their own lives. When she’s not writing, Suzana enjoys traveling, exploring new perspectives, and engaging in deep conversations that spark personal growth.
Does that bio make impact?
It certainly does.
Will this keep Suzana’s writing aligned to her core purpose?
You bet it will.
Author Bio Attracts Ideal Readers
Three weeks ago, I embarked on my fiction-writing journey and launched a new Substack publication, Neera’s Fiction, where I began sharing short stories. Before diving in, I spent a few days reflecting on what I truly wanted to write. Then, I crafted a fiction author bio—distinct from my non-fiction bio—and started including it at the end of my stories. Almost immediately, it added a layer of credibility to my work.
Neera Mahajan is storyteller who shines a spotlight on the resilience and strength of ordinary women. Her stories delve into the complexities of relationships, self-discovery, and triumph against adversity, inspiring readers to find their own courage and empowerment.
What this bio and other elements of my author branding will do is make me visible to the right audience. It acts as a beacon, signaling to readers what I write, who I am, and why my stories matter.
It not only introduces me to my readers but it also builds trust and connection, offering a glimpse into my journey and values. This connection can be the deciding factor in choosing my work over someone else’s.
Author Bio Is A Marketing Tool
Beyond visibility, an author bio serves as a foundation for my marketing efforts.
It’s a concise yet powerful tool that I can use across platforms—on my website, social media profiles, book covers, and even in guest posts or interviews.
By maintaining a consistent message, my bio reinforces my personal brand and ensures that readers and industry professionals know exactly what I stand for.
Ultimately, my author bio is more than just a summary; it’s an invitation.
It invites readers into my world, encourages them to explore my stories, and inspires them to share my work with others.
In a crowded marketplace, it’s a strategic way to stand out, connect deeply, and grow my audience.
There’s a lot to explore when it comes to Author Branding. While I’ve been writing extensively about it, I’m also considering creating a digital product: the Author Brand Kit. This kit would include practical tools to help you build your Author Brand, even if you’re just starting out.
Before I move forward with this idea, I’d love to gauge your interest. Would this be something you’d want to buy? Let me know in the comments to this post. I promise to keep the price very affordable, and for my paid subscribers, it will be completely free.
Tips for Writing Author Bio with Limited Experience
Even if you’re just starting out here are a few things to think about your author bio.
Focus on Your Unique Perspective
Highlight what makes your voice fresh and interesting. This might include:
Your distinctive background or life experiences
Special knowledge or expertise in your book's subject matter
Unique combinations of interests that inform your writing
Personal connection to the themes in your work
Emphasize Current Projects
Instead of dwelling on limited publishing history, focus on:
The story behind your current project
What inspired you to write
Your writing process or research
Your commitment to craft (workshops, writing groups, conferences)
Highlight Transferable Experience
Consider how your non-writing background enhances your work:
Professional expertise that relates to your writing
Life experiences that give you insight into your characters or subject
Community involvement that shows your connection to your audience
Skills from other fields that make your writing unique
Do you have any questions about personal branding or author bios? Feel free to ask them in the comments, and I’ll address your specific concerns—others can benefit from the answers as well!
That’s all from me today.
As always, thanks for reading.
Thank you so much for this post, Neera. I've been meaning to put together an author bio to use as my hero post for my newsletters. It will introduce me and my writing to new followers and subscribers. You've given me the template/roadmap and I appreciate it.
I’m impressed by your work, Neera. Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring piece packed with wonderful advice. Really useful and informative, I’ll definitely look into what my author bio could look like.