There are days when I get inundated with photos. I open submission after submission and they fall out, showing me stunning author after stunning author.Nice as it is to put a face to the work, it's really not necessary. Very few readers will judge a book by the author photo - it's all about the writing. The one exception to this might be if you've written a book about exercise or dieting, when readers DO judge the author by their appearance.
So thanks for the photos - but no need!
Cressida
(Editorial Consultant)
PS I am aware that it's slightly hypocritical to be writing this post with my photo beaming out at you - but apparently blog readers like photos - so there you go!
Cressida Downing will be joining Jo Herbert, Editor of the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook, to co-host 'Submitting Your Manuscript' - a two-part evening masterclass for writers.
Note: this masterclass is now sold out but we expect to run more events later in the year. Read the course outline here »
Paul Hughes on June 25, 2010
Right then. Submission with photo on the way ;)
Stuart Aken on June 26, 2010
It is a strange old world, isn't it? Images everywhere, and not all of them pretty! Is it the celebrity culture that encourages people to send pictures inappropriately, do you suppose? First impressions and all that? Rest assured, although my mug will probably feature here, I wouldn't inflict it on a poor unsuspecting editor, agent or publisher.
Xean Puccio on August 26, 2010
That’s interesting Cressida, because some months back, at the time of the ‘Me And My Web Shadow’ blog- http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/2010/04/me-and-my-web-shadow-giveaway/ , I was thinking about some of those very same points while considering whether to put up an avatar. When in doubt, the safest path is one of caution and I eventually decided it was not the right time to display one. I believe a writer should earn their credits, not smile for them with extended digits. If I accomplish a notable deed some day, like winning a story contest- hopefully before publishing a book, then I’ll have earned the privilege of displaying an image. Until then, I’ll follow Mavis Cheek’s advice in her post ‘The Freedom That Comes Your Way But Once’- http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/2009/05/the-freedom-that-comes-your-way-but-once/ and enjoy the glorious freedom of being a virgin author. It’s a fantastic experience and I’m enjoying every minute of it. '
Xean
26/8/2010
PS. It would be an even greater hypocrisy if your image was not there to reflect the beaming radiance of your beauteous presence upon the existencial universe. {:-)