Good question, Jeff. I'm laughing because, not long ago, I had a related discussion with my publisher. I said something like, "I hope you use a small photo of me so no one will see my wrinkles." His reply was "You're an author. Not a model."
And, for the most part, I agree with him. I mean, seriously, look at Stephen King. Not exactly the Harrison Ford of the writing world!
I consider "above average looking" as clean-cut over ugly or handsome/pretty. That's just my barometer for all relationships. Someone doesn't have to be handsome or thin, but they have to appear on top of their game for any size or shape, which emanates through appearance. I am typically a fictional-series reader or non-fiction researcher, so when I read a book, I like to see an image that provides a connection as if I know the author. So I guess, appearance is a connection. But, I am an author and am speaking as one. Maybe it's different for the reader.
Well, jacket photos are there for a reason... I agree, Rico, that the book should sell itself, but in our modern world, pictures and video are attached to us. Hey, I know what you look like! When an author has a "good-looking and professional" appearance, it gives credibility to their work.
And who could resist Jeff after seeing his picture??
Rico Marciano > Janet Starr HullAugust 25, 2012 at 5:43pm
These discussions always keep me thinking, and I thought about JK Rowling and the Harry Potter series. She is a beautiful woman, but if she looked "witchy" with her nails painted black and skull earrings, I think her series may have taken another turn. As socially controversial as Harry Potter is, her appearance might have stimulated its success - she looks (and acts) professional as opposed to Gothic. Even environmental writers are taken more seriously if they don't have beards down to their waistlines, you know? I think we are a society that judges from appearance. Right or wrong.
Rico Marciano > Janet Starr HullAugust 26, 2012 at 1:41pm
The question was "above-average looking", someone can be professional, clean-cut and shaven, but that does not make them "above-average looking". A dirty, Bowery, stumble-bum, who has not bathed since the new millennium and smells like cheap hooch will probably not be taken seriously. Would someone buy a book from a clean cut ugly author, before a clean cut pretty author--book readers don't care, like I said before, most people have no idea what the author looks like.
It's not like you're going out on a date with them, you're just reading their books!
Jeff, I feel that in the literary world, looks do not seem to matter. The content and the genre of the book is the star of the show, and most people would never recognize an author even if they were to bump into them . . . except for maybe a few famous authors like Stephen King -- who's not exactly a Playgirl Model. Even on TV, it seems that book buyers are more cerebral regarding the authors and they are attracted to the authors charisma, congruency, carriage and storytelling. Also, it seems that most authors feel more comfortable on radio, as the video does not get in the way of their message. Now the exception to the rule . . . if a well-known slutty looking reality star wrote her memoirs on her sexcapades, she would probably sell more books than Phyllis Diller would on the same subject.
Replies
Good question, Jeff. I'm laughing because, not long ago, I had a related discussion with my publisher. I said something like, "I hope you use a small photo of me so no one will see my wrinkles." His reply was "You're an author. Not a model."
And, for the most part, I agree with him. I mean, seriously, look at Stephen King. Not exactly the Harrison Ford of the writing world!
It couldn't hurt, but I'm not planning to hit the gym for this.
I consider "above average looking" as clean-cut over ugly or handsome/pretty. That's just my barometer for all relationships. Someone doesn't have to be handsome or thin, but they have to appear on top of their game for any size or shape, which emanates through appearance. I am typically a fictional-series reader or non-fiction researcher, so when I read a book, I like to see an image that provides a connection as if I know the author. So I guess, appearance is a connection. But, I am an author and am speaking as one. Maybe it's different for the reader.
Well, jacket photos are there for a reason... I agree, Rico, that the book should sell itself, but in our modern world, pictures and video are attached to us. Hey, I know what you look like! When an author has a "good-looking and professional" appearance, it gives credibility to their work.
And who could resist Jeff after seeing his picture??
Brown-nose!
Busted !!
These discussions always keep me thinking, and I thought about JK Rowling and the Harry Potter series. She is a beautiful woman, but if she looked "witchy" with her nails painted black and skull earrings, I think her series may have taken another turn. As socially controversial as Harry Potter is, her appearance might have stimulated its success - she looks (and acts) professional as opposed to Gothic. Even environmental writers are taken more seriously if they don't have beards down to their waistlines, you know? I think we are a society that judges from appearance. Right or wrong.
The question was "above-average looking", someone can be professional, clean-cut and shaven, but that does not make them "above-average looking". A dirty, Bowery, stumble-bum, who has not bathed since the new millennium and smells like cheap hooch will probably not be taken seriously. Would someone buy a book from a clean cut ugly author, before a clean cut pretty author--book readers don't care, like I said before, most people have no idea what the author looks like.
It's not like you're going out on a date with them, you're just reading their books!
Jeff, I feel that in the literary world, looks do not seem to matter. The content and the genre of the book is the star of the show, and most people would never recognize an author even if they were to bump into them . . . except for maybe a few famous authors like Stephen King -- who's not exactly a Playgirl Model. Even on TV, it seems that book buyers are more cerebral regarding the authors and they are attracted to the authors charisma, congruency, carriage and storytelling. Also, it seems that most authors feel more comfortable on radio, as the video does not get in the way of their message. Now the exception to the rule . . . if a well-known slutty looking reality star wrote her memoirs on her sexcapades, she would probably sell more books than Phyllis Diller would on the same subject.