SCBWI's Blueboard - A Message & Chat Board
Registered Members => Contests and Challenges => Topic started by: Kimberly Z. on March 20, 2021, 05:33 PM
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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
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Since they don't specify, I think either would work. Good luck.
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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!
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Thank you for your replies! I will rewrite my bio to be in third person.
Kim