One of the first questions authors ask when writing a bio is whether to write it in first person (“I write…”) or third person (“She writes…”). Both are correct. The right choice depends on where the bio will appear and who will read it.
This guide explains when each style works best, then gives third person author bio examples you can adapt, along with first person versions for comparison. If you want to see your own details written both ways, the free Author Bio Generator lets you switch between first and third person with one click.
The short answer
- Use third person for anything someone else will publish or read aloud: book covers, press releases, media kits, conference programs, podcast introductions and guest posts.
- Use first person where readers expect to hear from you directly: your website’s About page, newsletter, and social media profiles.
Many authors keep both versions of the same bio and use whichever fits the situation.
Why third person is standard for press
When a journalist, blogger or podcast host uses your bio, they are introducing you. A third person bio can be pasted straight into an article or read aloud at the start of an episode without editing. If you send a first person bio, someone has to rewrite it, and they may get details wrong.
Third person also reads as more formal and established, which suits book jackets and professional settings. It can feel strange to write about yourself this way at first, but readers are used to it.
Why first person works on your own channels
On your website, newsletter or Instagram, readers have chosen to come to you. Writing “Maya Ortiz loves coastal towns” on your own page can feel distant. “I grew up in a coastal town” sounds like a person. First person builds connection, which is the point of those channels.
Third person author bio examples
All examples below are for invented authors.
Short (one or two sentences)
- Maya Ortiz writes cozy mysteries set in small coastal towns. She lives in Maine with her husband and an opinionated cat.
- Daniel Reyes is a software engineer and the author of the science fiction novel Low Orbit.
- Priya Shah is a registered dietitian and the author of The Sunday Prep Plan, a guide to simple weeknight meals.
Medium (about 60 to 80 words)
Maya Ortiz writes cozy mysteries set in small coastal towns where everyone knows everyone. Before turning to fiction, she spent fifteen years working on the water, which inspired her Lighthouse Mysteries series. The first book, The Keeper’s Secret, introduces retired lighthouse keeper June Calloway and the town that keeps her busy. Maya lives on the coast of Maine with her husband and a cat who supervises every chapter.
Long (about 150 words, for media kits and event programs)
Daniel Reyes is a science fiction author and software engineer whose stories explore how ordinary people live with extraordinary technology. His debut novel, Low Orbit, follows a maintenance crew on a failing space station and was inspired by his years working on systems that cannot afford to go down. Daniel began writing short fiction in college and has published stories in several independent magazines. He is a regular speaker at local library events on the science behind science fiction, and he enjoys talking with readers about what the future of work might look like. When he is not writing or debugging, he hikes with his two dogs and tries, mostly unsuccessfully, to grow tomatoes. Daniel lives in Colorado and is working on his second novel, set in the same universe as Low Orbit.
The same bios in first person
Here is how the medium example changes in first person:
I write cozy mysteries set in small coastal towns where everyone knows everyone. Before turning to fiction, I spent fifteen years working on the water, and that’s where my Lighthouse Mysteries series began. The first book, The Keeper’s Secret, introduces retired lighthouse keeper June Calloway and the town that keeps her busy. I live on the coast of Maine with my husband and a cat who supervises every chapter.
The content is the same. Only the voice changes, and that small shift makes it feel more personal.
Tips for writing in third person
- Use your full name once, then your first name or a pronoun. Repeating your full name in every sentence sounds stiff.
- Use the pronouns you want readers and hosts to use. If you use they/them, write the bio that way so others follow your lead.
- Stay specific. Third person can drift into vague, formal language. Concrete details keep it readable.
- Avoid praising yourself in ways you would not say aloud. “Acclaimed” and “brilliant” sound odd when you clearly wrote the bio. Let facts do the work.
- Keep the tone matched to your books. A humor writer can have a playful third person bio. A thriller writer might keep it tight and atmospheric.
Tips for writing in first person
- Start with what you write, not “Hi, I’m…” The reader can see your name already.
- Do not overuse “I”. Vary sentence openings so it does not read like a list.
- Be warm but focused. A personal detail is good. Your full life story belongs elsewhere.
Where each version goes
| Place | Usual style |
|---|---|
| Back cover or inside flap | Third person |
| Press release “About the author” | Third person |
| Media kit | Third person, short and long |
| Podcast or event introduction | Third person |
| Amazon author page | Either; first person is common for indie authors |
| Website About page | Usually first person |
| Social media profiles | Usually first person |
For the Amazon page specifically, see our guide to writing an Amazon Author Central bio. For platform-length versions, see these short author bio examples.
Frequently asked questions
Is it unprofessional to write an author bio in first person?
No. First person is common and appropriate on your own website, newsletter and social profiles. For press and anything someone else will publish, third person is the safer choice.
Should I write my bio in third person if I wrote it myself?
Yes. It is standard practice. Readers and editors understand that authors usually write their own third person bios.
How do I make a third person bio sound less stiff?
Use your full name once, then your first name or pronoun, and include specific, concrete details instead of formal adjectives.
Which bio should I put in a media kit?
Include short and long versions in third person so hosts and journalists can paste them directly. Some authors add a first person version for blogs that prefer it.
Write it once, use it everywhere
The easiest approach is to write one strong medium-length bio, then create a third person and a first person version of it, plus a short and long variation. If you are starting from scratch, our guide to how to write an author bio walks through the process, and our debut author bio examples help if this is your first book.
Once you have your bios, store them where you can send them quickly. Our Author Media Kit Template includes a bio page ready for your short and long third person versions, so hosts and journalists get exactly what they need.
Want to see both styles with your own details? Try the free Author Bio Generator, generate your bio in third person, then switch to first person and compare.
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