| Author | Message | ||
| Richard M
Intermediate Member Username: youngjed Post Number: 851 Registered: 12-2008 |
I have come to that fateful moment when I have to write an author's biog to accompany poems. Having checked out the site I can see that virtually everyone's biog list: PhDs in renaissance poetry, amusing anecdotes about turning into a cross between Jack Kerouac and Laurie Lee, and a lists of publications (usually books, certainly magazines) which are longer than a Wild Post on when is a poem not a poem or why Dick Cheney... anyway you get the picture. So my question is what should I, as a novice, in reality practically first published, author (rone poem in a studen anthology and some in Allen Itz's ezine) put down??? I've had a stab at a jokey response which is also supposed to sound somewhat engaging, but I know I have a tendency to strike the wrong tone sometimes and would greatly appreciate any advice. Here goes... does this work???? (I know I have to tidy up the first and third person stuff) Richard Moorhead was born in Ashington, Northumberland in 1969 but mostly brought up in rural Worcestershire. Originally a student at the University of Warwick, and having embraced many of the nation’s cities I was spirited away to Cardiff University where I am now an academic lawyer and social scientist. Embarrassingly, any literary history is either totally vicarious (having been to school with an excellent novelist) or pathetic (something in a student anthology, a place in a national newspaper’s poetry competition for the under 19s). The newspaper ‘victory’ was sullied by their decision not to publish. The poem, I was told, was sacrilegious. Glorious injustice was crowned when one of the judges, an actress on Play School no less, hinted that deep down she liked mine best. Having returned recently to writing poetry as an alternative to internet dating and routine evenings of moderate drinking, I am delighted and humbled to have my work published in Horizon. Many thanks!! Richard Wherever this poem is posted, please feel free to critique. I'd like to hear, in this order, what you think might be improved; a general reaction (from you are Kooser to zzzz); and, if you have the time, what you liked best. http://whatssoonly.blogspot.com/ | ||
| Judy Thompson
Advanced Member Username: judyt54 Post Number: 1674 Registered: 11-2007 |
Purely a suggestion here--bios are a bitch to write, we all do 'em and we all hate 'em. Richard Moorhead was born in Ashington, Northumberland but mostly brought up in rural Worcestershire. Originally a student at the University of Warwick, and having embraced many of the nation’s cities I was spirited away to Cardiff University where I am now an academic lawyer and social scientist with intimations and great hope in poetry as an avocation. someone told me once, dont try to be funny, stay away from the negative, and keep it simple and clean. If you don't have a degree, ignore it. If you are a mushroom gardener or a dulcimer maker or play a mean air guitar, add it. it has just enough whimsy to end a bio neatly. "richard currently is head air guitar soloist with his own band, "the Basement Billies" ' or something like that. and above all be brief. Afraid of the Dark | ||
| M
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 34594 Registered: 11-1998 |
I just checked at the Horizon website, and in their guidelines, they say they expect a 75-word bio. The one you've written here is clocking in at 156 words. I'd cut it down, Richard, or they're going to. And you might not like their edits. It's okay to go slightly over the recommended limit, but doubling it is way too much. Judy has given you great advice. Don't stress about it. Hardly anyone actually reads the bios. *LOL* Except for Rattle magazine. Contributor's bios in there are as good as or better than the work (and the work is really, really good). Love, M P.S. I'd go with something like this: Richard Moorhead was born in Ashington, Northumberland in 1969 but mostly brought up in rural Worcestershire. Originally a student at the University of Warwick, and having embraced many of the nation’s cities, I was spirited away to Cardiff University where I am now an academic lawyer and social scientist. I’ve returned recently to writing poetry as an alternative to internet dating and routine evenings of moderate drinking. That will bring a smile, gives an indication of your personality and humor, but isn't over the top. | ||
| Richard M
Intermediate Member Username: youngjed Post Number: 852 Registered: 12-2008 |
Thanks M and Jane. Even with a few minutes gone beyond my original post and I cringed on rereading. Jane Holland has asked me for 'anything up to 150 words', as I put in a brief bio originally. They also want a photo. [Puts finger gun to head, pulls trigger] So I am now thinking of this.... Richard Moorhead was born in Ashington, Northumberland in 1969 but mostly brought up in rural Worcestershire. Originally a student at the University of Warwick, and having embraced many of the nation’s cities he was spirited away to Cardiff University where is now an academic lawyer and social scientist. As a poet, he is a newcomer, having initally sought refuge from internet dating and routine evenings of moderate drinking. Sigh. Many thanks for the comments, you're tops!! r Wherever this poem is posted, please feel free to critique. I'd like to hear, in this order, what you think might be improved; a general reaction (from you are Kooser to zzzz); and, if you have the time, what you liked best. http://whatssoonly.blogspot.com/ | ||
| M
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 34596 Registered: 11-1998 |
Don't stress over the pic either, Richard. Think creatively. One of the associate editors over at Stirring used to use a pic of her feet in very cute shoes as her "head shot." You don't have to give them a pic of your face. I never do. As you can see if you look at the pic in my profile, it's too far away for me to be easily identified in a police line-up. See what they'll let you get away with. I've seen some very unique pics in contributors' bios. All kinds of body parts (OHMY!) and other interesting items. Love, M | ||
| Teresa White
Advanced Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 2189 Registered: 01-2005 |
Richard, I know what you're dealing with...but, having said that WOW! My goodness, you mean I have been "swapping" poems with an academic lawyer and social scientist. Hey, you're swapping poems with a secretary. I say what you have above is WAY too long..unless the journal (no matter if this is a "2-staple" chapbook OR in the pages of "Poetry" or The New Yorker magazine. In fact, it has been my experience that the further you advance up this ladder of poetry, the LESS will be asked of you in a bio. I was working with the same handicap, if you will, not having any formal education (years of sitting in colleges but without "matriculating" in anything. No degrees beyond: high school. On job applications, I check simply the box that says "some college education".. I know what it feels like...when everyone else in the mag is listing: BA, MA in Creative Writing, two years at Iowa Writer's College (considered the most prestigious in the United Stated) and so on and so forth. Here's my advice and then I'll step down and see what others have to offer in the line of suggestions. 1. Your name and country of birth/country you reside in if different. 2. Education --list any formal degree. I never say that I am only a high school graduate. That might be an "honest" answer but it would work against me. Also, and this one I had to learn the hard way...If you feel "inadequate" compared to your peers, others in the same mag, do not even bring it up, unless asked/required). 3. Any small "personality" trait, hobbies, (do you like trout fishing or do you love to listen to Mozart? That kind of thing. That's about it. Short and sweet and use it until you reach (what for you) will become the NEXT level in this layered stratified business we call poetry. Hope that helps a bit. My best, ~Teresa (Message edited by teresa_white on June 30, 2009) | ||
| Lazarus
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 5178 Registered: 10-2005 |
Richard- I really like what you've got, and now that it's all in third person I don't have much to add. I noticed that they put the bios up first at Horizons and Salt and that is crucial to know. If the bio is a bore you might loose readers before they get to your work. Yours isn't. (Message edited by lazarus on July 01, 2009) -Laz | ||
| Jennifer VanBuren
Intermediate Member Username: jkvanburen Post Number: 424 Registered: 04-2009 |
I am seriously considering removing all bios and photos from the site I publish. The only reason I have ever wanted to read them is to see where else they might be published (a good way to find similar poems) but hell, you just google for that. Sending bios in a submission is also tricky. You never know what the editor will be impressed with...some are wowed by degrees... I personally would rather publish a poem by someone who lives and works outside the arena of poetry, and better yet if they have not yet been published everywhere. I won't NOT publish someone because their list of accomplishments is too great, but it will never make me want to publish them more. The only reason I even read bios is to see if it is a writer who is just starting out, to perhaps give them a kick in (oop I mean hand in) or send suggestions that I would not send a more seasoned writer. I am babbling. Sorry. You got lots of good suggestions. I hate writing them too. I had an ankle bio shot for a while. I wonder where that picture went. I agree-- you need to keep your bio SHORT. 50 words is more than enough, I have found. I swear I have gotten bios that are 4 paragraphs long. Long paragraphs long. I had one writer boast about being a polymath. Mensa member. I don't care how wonderful you have been in the past. Send me something worth publishing, let it talk for itself. (Message edited by jkvanburen on July 01, 2009) "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." Bertrand Russell | ||
| Lazarus
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 5183 Registered: 10-2005 |
Judy reminded me of a bad experience with my bio. I sent one in that I was told had some grammar errors and heard back from the editor to that effect. I have heard nothing since about my submissions. I didn't know what to do, I didn't want to go ahead and write another one because I figured their time is better spent, but after a while I did do a rewrite and I don't think the one I sent in is much better. I was going to ask about getting critique for our bios back a few weeks before I sent it but I chickened out. Now I'm sitting on limbo again wondering if I need to fix what I've done.IMHO the bio is something that should be perfected at the time of publication, part of the process of dotting i's and crossing t's. I was surprised to get that comment since the work had not even been accepted yet. Do you think the editor just dismissed me as unprofessional because my bio was a little off? -Laz | ||
| Richard M
Intermediate Member Username: youngjed Post Number: 866 Registered: 12-2008 |
Hi, Thanks Teresa, Laz, Jennifer. Much food for thought. I'd guess some editors look at biogs to see where people have been published as a way of seeing how closely they should read the poem. I've no real problem with biogs in zines, but it has to be better for the review process not to be influenced by them. Still, editors faced with 10s of thousands (as some seem to be) per year may need all the help they can get.... Oh, and Teresa, all us academics spend half our working lives wondering if we're gonna be exposed as frauds. It's that feeling like a fifteen year old feeling, I think, that I (you?) never shake off. Or maybe its just postmodern angst...;-) Love to all... r Wherever this poem is posted, please feel free to critique. I'd like to hear, in this order, what you think might be improved; a general reaction (from you are Kooser to zzzz); and, if you have the time, what you liked best. http://whatssoonly.blogspot.com/ | ||
| M
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 34616 Registered: 11-1998 |
Dearest Laz -- if it has been awhile (a month or two) since you heard from the editors of this publication, you should feel free to write them, requesting to know what happened with your submission. Professional editors should be open to hearing from submitters and contributors, and shouldn't hesitate to answer any questions you might have. If you don't hear back from them, take this as a sign. It might not be a magazine you wish to involve yourself with or have your work featured in. Non-responsiveness on the part of the editorial staff is not a good sign. It signals to me that they don't take their responsibilities seriously or don't appreciate their contributors. That could mean they'd be very hard to work with. Love, M | ||
| Lazarus
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 5188 Registered: 10-2005 |
Thanks for the advice M I'll keep it in mind. I just feel like the impression my bio must have made has made a difference in our relationship already. Maybe it was just a thoughtful "BTW" so I wouldn't make the same mistake elsewhere. But after rewriting and still feeling like I might need to improve the three lines of text in my revised bio I'm feeling really awkward about contacting again.  I think I'll move on, try to make a better impression with the next one.-Laz | ||
| Catherine Edmunds
Member Username: delph_ambi Post Number: 96 Registered: 04-2009 |
My biographies have changed with time. A few years ago, they were deeply boring. Here's a typical example: "Catherine Edmunds turned to writing after two decades as a professional violinist. Her publications include a novel, “The Sand in the Painting” (2005), poems, short stories, and illustrations in various journals and anthologies. Catherine lives in North-East England, where she spends her time writing, painting, and teaching music." That is yawn inducing. Useless. Unmemorable. Here's a much more recent version (which being an arty one, was going to be more interesting anyway): "Artist and illustrator Catherine Edmunds has provided the cover art for a number of Earlyworks Press and Circaidy Press publications, including her own poetry collection, wormwood, earth and honey. Her illustrations – featuring exploding dogs, baboons in electric chairs, quills inserted into veins, and rotting toads – can be seen in Daniel Abelman’s ALLAKAZZAM! (BeWrite Books), Night Falls on Everyone (Readme Publishing) and the shortly to be released Anomalous Appetites (Editor John Irvine). She is also in demand as a portrait artist, as she resists the temptation to make her sitters’ heads explode or melt." The 'all purpose' biog I tend to use nowadays if I have a piece in a journal or anthology goes something like this: "Catherine Edmunds, poet/novelist/illustrator, has a literary style best encapsulated in the title of her poetry collection, wormwood, earth and honey (Circaidy Gregory Press). Her artwork veers between delicate portraiture, exploding dogs and decomposing toads." The thing is, if you're skimming through the biogs at the back of a journal, the ones you're going to read first are the short ones. The ones you're going to remember are the quirky ones. QED. Regarding biogs that want a pic: I tend to send in a sepia soft focus incredibly flattering photo, or a pencil drawn portrait. The pencil portrait always goes down well. So well that I'm now getting commissions to do them for other people. (The pencil knows how to flatter.) Catherine Edmunds, writer and illustrator | ||
| Lazarus
Senior Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 5197 Registered: 10-2005 |
Catherine- Very funny and very informative, Thank you. -Laz | ||
| Dan Tompsett
Intermediate Member Username: db_tompsett Post Number: 690 Registered: 07-2007 |
Why not just make up some lies? "My name is Dan Tompsett. I started writing poetry seriously soon after I resigned as governor of Alaska at the request of my children." "People who believe a lot of crap are better off." Charles Bukowski | ||
| Jennifer VanBuren
Intermediate Member Username: jkvanburen Post Number: 436 Registered: 04-2009 |
Perfect! Just put it in 3rd person and you are a go! Former beauty pageant winner Dan Tompsett started writing seriously soon after he resigned as governor of Alaska at the request of his children. (Message edited by jkvanburen on July 05, 2009) "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." Bertrand Russell | ||
| RGCat
Intermediate Member Username: rcat Post Number: 835 Registered: 03-2008 |
Richard just fucking lie for cryst sakes -- it's a bunch of bullshit anyway isn't it? I'm a elliptical certified Mensa genius so what can I tell ya otherwise. You’re brilliant you’re British isn’t that sufficient? Get real and pop the cork.  That’s it! That’s it! Oops, maybe not. | ||
| Jennifer VanBuren
Intermediate Member Username: jkvanburen Post Number: 446 Registered: 04-2009 |
Help! I need to write a by-line! I wrote an article for a local family magazine on Going Green with your Baby. It is past the editor but she needs a byline. This is what I have: Jennifer VanBuren is a mother of three from Georgetown, TX. A former science teacher, she is now a childhood disability advocate, poet and publisher of an on-line journal, Mannequin Envy. Nothing in it seems to make me qualified for writing the article, except maybe the science degree.... Does that matter? Should I change "poet" to "writer?" THANKS! Jenn 0r this Jennifer VanBuren is a mother of three from Georgetown, TX. A former science teacher, she is now a childhood disability activist, writer and publisher of the literary journal, Mannequin Envy.} (Message edited by jkvanburen on July 09, 2009) "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." Bertrand Russell | ||
| M
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 34675 Registered: 11-1998 |
I'd go with "writer" rather than "poet," Jennifer, mainly because this is an article you have written, and writer seems the more accurate designation in this instance. I think your qualifications are evident in the byline -- mother, activist, former science teacher. Yes, I'd trust someone with those credentials to tell me about going green with my child. Congrats on the publication! Love, M | ||
| Jennifer VanBuren
Intermediate Member Username: jkvanburen Post Number: 447 Registered: 04-2009 |
Thanks for the input M! I went with the second one. Just got a response from the editor re: the byline "Perfect!"  "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." Bertrand Russell | ||
| W.F. Roby
Intermediate Member Username: wfroby Post Number: 904 Registered: 03-2008 |
Wellllllllll, Here's my $0.02 as I'm stuck writing a poem about Dolly Parton for Project Verse and can contribute little else to the world of, well, actual verse. I don't think humor is bad. I think the whole concept of the poet's Bio is silly. The best reaction to a silly question is always a silly answer. | ||
| Richard M
Intermediate Member Username: youngjed Post Number: 919 Registered: 12-2008 |
Jennifer for what its worth I htink that your version is absolutely fine and the writer one works better than the poet one in that context... Wherever this poem is posted, please feel free to critique. I'd like to hear, in this order, what you think might be improved; a general reaction (it's great to zzzz); and, if you have the time, what you liked best. http://whatssoonly.wordpress.com/ | ||
| RGCat
Intermediate Member Username: rcat Post Number: 863 Registered: 03-2008 |
Well, for Pete’s sake let’s get all prim and popper and preen the chicken feathers while we’re at it. What kind of poet wants to describe himself or herself or bi-unified self as anything less than SEXY. I mean -- come on dogs -- let’s get to the bone. Jennifer VanBuren is a mother of three from Georgetown, TX. A former science teacher, record breaker, childhood disability advocate, sexy poet priestess, publisher and destroyer of worlds at her whim. Well, maybe it’s over the top a little... That’s it! That’s it! Oops, maybe not. | ||
| Judy Thompson
Advanced Member Username: judyt54 Post Number: 1687 Registered: 11-2007 |
id leave out record breaker, you're right, that might be a bit too much... Afraid of the Dark | ||
| Jennifer VanBuren
Intermediate Member Username: jkvanburen Post Number: 448 Registered: 04-2009 |
thanks for the two cents, Roby. I have pasted them to Dolly's Partons, she is doin a little dance Thanks Richard, you are a doll "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." Bertrand Russell | ||
| Jennifer VanBuren
Intermediate Member Username: jkvanburen Post Number: 449 Registered: 04-2009 |
Hey RCat, good to see you. "What kind of poet wants to describe himself or herself or bi-unified self as anything less than SEXY. I mean -- come on dogs -- let�s get to the bone." woof. don't have to ask twice. besides, I am trying to be serious here :p "Jennifer VanBuren is a mother of three from Georgetown, TX. A former science teacher, record breaker, childhood disability advocate, sexy poet priestess, publisher and destroyer of worlds at her whim." Jennifer VanBuren is the mother of all feather ticklers, she had the lead role in VanHalen's Hot For Teacher music video, can disable a man back to his childhood with the mere mention of her high black boots which like Shiva, she can dance the world to or from creation.} (Message edited by jkvanburen on July 09, 2009) "To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness." Bertrand Russell |
