My Maker Mantras: ‘Have A Bio’

My Maker Mantras

‘Have a bio’

Nerdvana presents Small Press Saturday – aka, Lessons Learned Self-Publishing Comics

Whether you’re a musician booking a gig, or an artist hanging in a gallery, or a cartoonist exhibiting at a comic con, today’s simple mantra applies to you.

Have a bio.

After the work itself, a bio is the most important thing you’ll create. It tells people who you are, and what you do. Believe me, writing a bio will immediately make you look big. It implies that the people seeing your work aren’t just friends and family. When you write a bio, it’s for the rest of the world.

Note that a bio is different than an artist’s statement. An artist’s statement is also important and usually begins with the “who” and “what” of a bio, but it also includes a “why.” If you don’t have a bio, let’s just take this one step at a time.

As soon as I finished my first solo self-published comic book, I wrote a bio. My bio is an organic statement that grows as I do, but its original, simplest form is what I still use if space or word count demands something minimal. Here’s my very simple bio:

Russ Kazmierczak, Jr. is a cartoonist and the creator of Amazing Arizona Comics, a mini-comic book superhero satire of local news, history, and culture.

If you have an Instagram, you’ve most likely written something similar at the top of your profile. Those are the bare bones of a bio. When you use it in the real world, make sure it’s a complete sentence.

If space and word count aren’t an issue, here’s my current bio, in full:

Russ Kazmierczak, Jr. is a Phoenix-based cartoonist and the creator of Amazing Arizona Comics, a mini-comic book that satirizes local news, history, and culture with superhero adventure. He was the Phoenix New Times’ 2018 Best Storyteller and one of The Copper Courier’s “9 People Who Are Making A Difference in Arizona” in 2023. Russ has taught comics classes at Bookman’s in Phoenix and Mesa, Phoenix Art Museum, Gilbert HD South, and other venues throughout the Valley. Follow his work and inquire about his classes on Instagram @amazingazcomics.

So, depending on the context, my bio fluctuates between these two examples. Every segment is intentional and has purpose. Here are a few general guideposts in crafting your own bio:

My bio is written in the third person. I’ve seen effective and engaging bios written in the first person, as well, and they’re much more intimate. Third person implies that the bio isn’t written by the artist, but by an agent, or some other interested party. Again, it makes the artist look big. First person reads more like a personal mission statement. Third person reads like a succinct biography.

I identify as “Phoenix-based” as an orientation for media and event attendees. If I’m making news or attending an event in-town, I’m evoking a hometown pride. If my presence is out-of-town, I’m establishing a sense that my reach is beyond where I’m from. 

Immediately crediting my comic, Amazing Arizona Comics, proves my claim that I’m a cartoonist. ANYONE can identify as an artist, so it’s important to cite what or where your work is. If I were a musician, I’d write, “. . . is a Phoenix-based musician whose work can heard on Spotify or iTunes . . .” If I were a painter, “. . . is a Phoenix-based painter whose work has been seen in galleries and cafes across the Valley . . .” These credentials give the audience something to research if they really want to know more about you.

Listing some of my recent accolades obviously establishes credibility, but it also implies a sense of urgency, like, “Oh, why haven’t I heard of this guy before?” If you haven’t received a distinction in print, a quote from a notable person in your field or community works just as well. “Russ’s work has been called ‘genius’ by Mr. Hot-Shot Artist” is one easy way to write it.  ANY professional reward or praise you’ve received for your work, INCLUDE it. 

If space allows, I include my current and past comics classes at various venues to demonstrate community outreach, letting the audience know my work extends beyond self-service at the drawing board. By mentioning those classes again when I share my social media, I’m suddenly using my bio as a marketing tool — generating interest (and potential revenue) in not just what I make, but in what I can do for whoever’s listening. Hey, why not?

I’m sure the Internet is full of articles and videos about how to write artist bios. When I first crafted mine about thirteen years ago, I didn’t think to consult these resources; I just wrote what came naturally. Take or leave my suggestions ABOUT the mantra, but don’t ignore the mantra itself. After all, when people talk about promoting your art, what’s the most common way they say it?

Get YOURSELF out there.

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