Author Directory Profile Checklist: Introduce Your Work Clearly
A useful author profile helps another person decide whether to start a conversation with you. It should explain what you write, what you can offer and the kinds of connections you welcome. Treat the profile as a practical introduction, then make the contact route and availability easy to understand.
Download the editable worksheet
Download the author profiles worksheet (Excel) →
Open the Excel file in your spreadsheet application or import it into Google Sheets and review the formulas after conversion. Save a separate copy for your project. Fill in the pale-yellow cells and use the Review status dropdown. Ready items and Items to review update from those choices; Not applicable removes an item from the remaining review count. Your edits stay in your file and do not sync to Author Rise.
1. Choose a role and primary category
Select the profile type that fits your current purpose: an author or collaborator looking for shared work, or a publishing professional offering services. Choose the primary category that best represents what you want people to contact you about. Additional interests belong in the description. A clear main category is more useful than trying to appear everywhere.
2. Write a concrete introduction
Begin with your genre, subject or service and the person you hope to help. Replace general claims such as passionate creative with evidence someone can evaluate: the kind of manuscripts you edit, the books you write or the collaboration you are seeking. Use a short bio that sounds like you.
3. Describe the invitation and its boundaries
Explain whether you welcome beta reading, interviews, critique exchanges, design inquiries or another specific request. State realistic availability. If you offer paid services, explain that scope, timing and fees need direct agreement. A directory listing should not imply that membership includes someone's professional labor.
4. Choose a public contact route and sample
Use a professional email or contact page you are comfortable sharing. Include one or two relevant public samples. Check each link without being signed in and remove unnecessary private details. Ask prospective contacts to include the project type, timing and what they need help with.
5. Confirm how your profile is saved and displayed
Use the worksheet to keep an approved profile draft. The current Directory preview saves profiles in the browser where they are created; it does not publish them to other members or provide a shared member database. Keep your own copy and do not rely on a browser-only profile as a public listing. Shared profile publishing requires a separate implementation.
A practical starting point
Introduction starter: I write [genre or subject] for [reader]. I am interested in [specific collaboration]. Please contact me with [project details] and your expected timing so we can decide whether the fit is right.
Adapt this example to your own work and the recipient's requirements. Complete the first three relevant worksheet fields, then choose one action you can take today.
Continue with related Author Rise resources
Further reading and useful tools
Find a connection and keep your working files
Explore the Author Rise Directory → to review the directory and its current contact options. Agree availability, deliverables and any fees directly with the person you choose. Example listings are illustrative; browser-created profiles are not shared member listings.
Download all ten community worksheets (ZIP) → or return to the Author Rise Community.