What is a biographical note?

Question

On the MacmillanNewWriting website, where first time authors can submit story manuscripts, you are asked to include a biographical note in the email. Does this just mean a paragraph about yourself, or what? What details would you have to include? Thanks!

Answer 1

It should be a simple paragraph, certainly not more than 100 words, in which you explain who you are as it relates to your manuscript. Don't put in anything about your dog or how you ran the Boston Marathon in under three hours, because it doesn't relate. An appropriate note would look something like this:

"Bob Nelson studied psychiatry at Brown University and worked at Walter Reed Hospital for eleven years. He is the author of seven novels and three how-to guides. Bob lives with his wife and daughter in Silver Spring, Maryland."

Answer 2

A paragraph about yourself which will explain why you're qualified to write this story/article.
Who you are, education level, where you live. Have you ever published anything? Do you have specific writing interests/genres? Are you in the midst of writing/researching something new?

Good luck... seeing your name in print is awesome!

Answer 3

You are correct: a paragraph about yourself containing place of birth, education, writing experience, any writing awards, and major written pieces to date.

Also, major influences could be included.