How to write a brief auto biography that catchs the reader & tells about me without the full life story

Kaye, you need to pick out a couple of things about you that are different, that represent you. They don't have to relate to your book; while it helps if they give a flavour of the mind behind the pen, what if you want to write a completely different sort of novel next time? You don't want to have to rewrite your biog when it took so long to come up with the first version!

Go and read the author bios in the books you have on your shelf to give you an idea. Mostly they tend to cover where the author is from, their career history and education IF THEY ARE RELEVANT to the book, and maybe a little insight to their domestic life (i.e. marriage, kids and pets are often mentioned). It's all pretty bogstandard boring stuff.

Maybe think along the lines of shaping yours toward what public image you plan to construct, which would also probably encompass what type of books you write. Try chucking in something different and interesting.

Happy writing. :)

Ewwww...this is the worst writing job in the world, after editing. Blowing your own trumpet without sounding like a pretentious big-headed know-all.

I've no real idea how to do it. Perhaps there's a magic formula out there somewhere, but if so I've never come across it. I so wish I had.

I think the only thing you can do is say something about yourself relative to the story. Maybe you're a champion wool-spinner, or have spent ten years piloting fast jets. There's always something , either slightly serious if it's that sort of book, or comic if less so.

Best of luck :D