You ever try to sell a "true original"? No-one wants a true original, at least not those in charge of marketing and the like. How will they know if it'll sell if it's never sold before? They want something that's like something else. Something else that's sold well. *sigh*
Hokay, I'm assuming that someone has asked you to do an author bio thingy, yeah? The best ones - IMO - are short and sweet, and include (in order) your name (duh!), an expurgated list of your publishing achievements, literary awards/recognition, other activities related to writing, and a little personal information that gives the reader some idea of your character (this can be humorous or not, depending upon how you're wanting to sell yourself).
So: Martin Livings is the author of the horror novel Carnies (Lothian, 2005), and has had short work published in X, X, X, X and X, among others. He is a multiple nominee/recipient of the Aurealis/Ditmar/Nebula/Hugo/Stoker/Nobel Prize, and has also been a judge for the Ken Figgis Memorial Glass Eye award. Martin lives in Western Australia with his partner, and has two cats. Every day. For brunch.
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Date: 2009-04-20 08:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-20 09:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-20 12:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-20 09:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-20 01:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-20 02:21 pm (UTC)If someone does not know you, then why do you have to explain yourself to them?
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Date: 2009-04-20 03:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-21 07:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-21 04:53 am (UTC)So: Martin Livings is the author of the horror novel Carnies (Lothian, 2005), and has had short work published in X, X, X, X and X, among others. He is a multiple nominee/recipient of the Aurealis/Ditmar/Nebula/Hugo/Stoker/Nobel Prize, and has also been a judge for the Ken Figgis Memorial Glass Eye award. Martin lives in Western Australia with his partner, and has two cats. Every day. For brunch.
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Date: 2009-04-21 07:43 am (UTC)Anyway, moot point now, done and dusted. It's just left me a tad unsure of my own identity. ;)
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Date: 2009-04-21 08:11 am (UTC)Nope, nothing. You are uniquely Martin Livings.
And, hey...flogging a dead horse? I resemble that icon!
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Date: 2009-04-21 08:11 am (UTC)