In a world where we are bombarded with stories of identity
theft and fraud it seems hard for a writer to maintain that “open book” life
that many readers thrive on. It seems very counter-productive for an author, or
journalist, to try being invisible and private since we need the exposure to
build a fan-base.
Authors are asked to provide bios because, after all, it is important
that our readers believe that we are reachable and real. How much of the
information we include in our bios, and sometimes in our writing, is really
necessary and safe? How can we remain safely reachable and still keep our personal
identities personal?
If you are poo-pooing this concern, here are just a few “horror”
stories that writers have shared (only one of them is mine): One author was
actually stalked by a reader who didn’t want to wait for her next book; a
writer (yes, me) had a newspaper column published without consent from her or
her editor and without her byline; another author had his personal credit
affected when someone used what they knew about the writer in applying for
credit; and still another writer found that articles were being published under
her name that were not written by her and had a serious lack of writing skill.
When you are providing an author bio keep the info ONLY about
you as an author and not as a mom/dad, belly dancer, sixth grade drop-out, or recovering
gambler, etc. The only time(s) you should include really personal info is when
that is the subject of your writing or to give you credibility about the
subject you are writing about. Unless you are writing something about the
trials of suffering from a disease that you might have, there is no reason to
post your medical history for others to see. Don’t share the common information
that is used to authenticate your identity like the name of your first roommate,
your social security number, phone number, the street you grew up on, or your
father’s middle name.
On social media you should keep your writing personae and
your personal life separate. On Facebook keep a personal timeline for mixing
with your family, for any family pics you share, grumbles, political rants, or
just sharing what is going on in your life — and be sure to mark your posts as
view-able to “Friends Only”. Create a Facebook PAGE for “the writer”, all FB
page posts are always public. Be honest but project the image you want as an
author in the more public forum.
Many authors like to provide contact info for fans to reach
them. Use a Post Office Box, mail box service or virtual business address
instead of your actual home address (some use phony addresses but then mail
bounces back to senders and ruins credibility); these options can cost a few
dollars a month but often in the single digits. Use an email specifically for you
as an author or provide a contact form on your blog or website. Never publicize
your home phone number, there are virtual office numbers (for a fee) or free
Google numbers that provide more anonymity, even a cell-phone number will help
keep your location private.
Finally, periodically and frequently, use the internet search
engines to find “you”. Searching, or Googling, yourself will help to keep you
aware if someone is using your name or if your writings are being reprinted
without permission. Also search for subjects you’ve written about (be as
specific as possible) to find if your writing is being published under someone
else’s byline. If you do find an infraction, send a Take-Down-Notice to the interloper
and contact the site administrator if necessary.
Writing
Exercise: Write a 1 to 2 paragraph obituary notice about
yourself as a private individual (not only as a writer).
Writing
Prompt: (be prepared to rip this paper up when you are
finished) Write down at least 10 items that you DO NOT WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO
KNOW. Why not, what makes these things so important to keep secret?
Challenge
Assignment: Write a full page bio about yourself AS AN
AUTHOR/WRITER. When you are done read it over and redact (cross out) any “too
personal” information, then re-write it.
