It’s a paradox: The author is the most important part of a book project, but the author bio may be the least significant part of a query.

That said, future authors constantly ask me (and other publishing professionals) how to handle their author bios in their queries and book proposals. And honestly, it is a part of the query that has more potential to harm a pitch than help. So here’s a quick list of what to include and exclude in author bios.

I’ve never questioned assigning an article because the bio was too brief. However, I have read bios that made me question how professional and experienced the writer is. So when it comes to author bios, follow this mantra: When in doubt, leave it out.

Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community. He edits the Writer’s Market and Poet’s Market books, writes a poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine, maintains the Poetic Asides blog, speaks at conferences, leads online webinars and tutorials, and so much more.

Robert is also the author of Solving the World’s Problems, a poetry collection published by Press 53. A former Poet Laureate of the Blogosphere, he’s been a featured poet across the country at poetry events in Austin, Houston, Cleveland, Atlanta, and more.