I’m not going to sugarcoat this. Writing the “About” page on your author website can flat out suck.

The pressure can feel super high. After all, people you’ve never met are going to read this. They’re coming to your website to learn who you are, and you might feel like you have to give exactly the right details. You might be thinking…

What if I sound stupid?

I’m not all that special—why is anyone going to care?

And here’s the one I hear on pretty much every call I have with authors who want to talk about marketing…

I’ve never published anything—what authority do I have to even have a website at all?

If you’ve ever thought any of this stuff, you aren’t alone. Trust me.

The good news, though, is that it doesn’t have to be all that complicated. Here’s the truth: the people who visit your website really just want one thing (besides where to get your books or sign up for your Substack), and what it is might surprise you.

People want authors to be human.

Behind every poem, every book, every Substack essay, is a real person who was inspired to create something to share with others. Your website visitors don’t want your credentials or for you to somehow earn the right to introduce your writing to them.

They want to know you.

You might be asking, “OK, that’s a nice thought, but how do I do that? How do I go about being transparent and authentic with strangers?”

Here are 10 questions to help you think through writing the About page on your author website.

1. What Do You Believe About Stories?

This isn’t just about what you write. It’s about what you believe writing does. Do stories heal? Teach truth? Bring delight and joy? Thinking about how you answer this question can point you to a philosophy of creating that you can share.

2. Why Do You Write—Really?

This is a big question. I know. But seriously, take some time to think about why you started writing to begin with. What compels you to create? What drives you to come back to the page again and again, even when it’s hard?

This can help people learn not just why you write, but why writing is so important to you.

3. What Truths Are You Trying to Explore or Uncover?

Every writer circles big questions in their work. Maybe they don’t show up directly in your writing, but they are there nonetheless. If you feel it’s relevant to your work, what questions or ideas are important to your writing?

4. What Is Your Mission as an Author?

If your writing had a mission statement, what would it be?

Let me teach you a little trick from my marketing days. A good formula for crafting a mission statement is this:

I help _____________ to ______________ so they can ___________________.

If this sounds familiar, it should. It’s why in all my promotional materials, you hear me say, “I help writers reach their full creative potential so they can impact and inspire readers.”

Try writing your own mission statement using this formula. As a bonus, you can use it as headline copy for the About page.

5. What Do You Value in Good Writing?

Is it beauty? Honesty? A willingness to reveal hard truths? Taking some time to answer this question can point you to things you can share with readers.

6. What Experiences Have Shaped Your Writing?

Many authors can trace their work back to specific formative life experiences. What moments and seasons in your life changed the way you see the world and drove you to begin creating?

7. What Authors and Voices Have Shaped Your Work?    

This one is always fun. Who were your authorial mentors? What books inspired you to write? What authors do you look up to?

8. What Parts of Your Real Everyday Life Can You Invite Readers Into?

Oof. This one scares a lot of people, but remember—your readers want you to be a real person.

What does your life actually look like outside of writing? Family? Church involvement? Hobbies?

Obviously, you don’t have to share everything. After all, this isn’t your diary. But sharing a glimpse into your life can build trust and relationships with readers.

9. How Do You Want Your Writing to Affect Others?

Not in terms of reach, but impact. Do you want readers to feel seen? Challenged? Comforted? Convicted? What kind of internal shift matters to you?

This is a really deep question, and it may not be something you directly address. But it can also point you to things you can say that will teach readers about your values.

10. What Places Are Important to You?

It’s really hard to escape the influence of place in your writing. We all come from somewhere. What places have inspired your writing and why? Where do you currently live, and how has it influenced you?

Need Help Writing Your About Page—Or Other Parts of Your Author Website?

Like I said, this task isn’t enviable, but it’s necessary. These questions are enough to get started, but if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, I’m here to help.

Inkling Creative Strategies offers a full range of services to help you find the right words to put on your website so you can authentically and powerfully introduce yourself to readers.

We call those words “copy.”

I take what’s often scattered—your ideas, beliefs, backstory, themes—and shape it into:

• A clear, compelling About page

• Cohesive messaging across your entire site

• Language that reflects both your voice and your purpose

So, instead of trying to piece it together on your own, you have copy that actually sounds like you, as well as the clarity and structure your readers need.

Sound like something you need? Schedule a free consultation and let’s see if it’s a fit!