[Kimberly Z. Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

If a writing contest for asks for a short biography, would you write that in first person or third person. I'm specifically asking about the Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest, but I have seen biographies required in other contests as well.

https://www.readinglife.com/writingcontest?type=index

In my query letters to agents or editors, I always write in first person, but "biography" sounds like it should be third person. It feels strange writing about myself in third person.

Would you make it strictly professional or a little more personal (like for the PBchat mentorship contest)?

Thanks!

Kim

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 7,001 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

Since they don't specify, I think either would work. Good luck.

[Vijaya Posts: 7,164 Status: Offline Encourage WWW]

In a query, you're writing personally to the agent or editor so writing about yourself should be in 1st person. But a bio is for the website, so 3rd is more appropriate. You can still be personal or have a cheeky voice, what you want to convey. For example, for an Odyssey article on DNP and weight loss, I wrote: VKB harbored tapeworms as a child in India. She remembers eating a lot and losing weight during those infections. Perhaps chocolate-covered tapeworms could be the next new diet fad. (Just kidding!) In her work as a microbiologist, she used DNP to study metabolism in E. coli bacteria. They all died as a result.

Good luck!

[Kimberly Z. Posts: 8 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you for your replies! I will rewrite my bio to be in third person.

Kim