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| The dreaded headshot |
I choked. Um, what? Not only did I need a bio, I needed the dreaded headshot. I wrote up my bio (and as an unpublished author, it was pretty pathetic) and took a quick headshot and sent it off to him.
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| The slightly less horrible headshot |
What I failed to realize was that a headshot is like a brand for an author. It gets put on EVERYTHING. Guest posts, interviews, the list goes on and on. I liked the headshot, but I wasn't in-love with it. But when I tried to change it, my readers (Twitter followers, critique partners, betas, everybody) went nuts. It was like I tried to get a face-lift. The public outcry was overwhelming, and eventually I succumbed to the pressure to change my headshot back to the original.
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| The least horrible headshot. This one's staying! |
But one can only stand staring at the same picture that they don't particularly like for so long. I had to change it. I wasn't in love with the original headshot, but was tentative about changing it again. So I took some more new ones, sucked in a deep breath, and changed it.
So far so good. It's close enough to the original that its not like I had a face-lift, but different enough that I don't want to burn it. And my readers seem pretty happy with it. My favorite response was 'Bow chicka wow wow!!'
Now, maybe when I get my publishing contract, I'll splurge and have some professional author headshots taken. But for now, I'm happy with my sepia-toned, spagetti-strap tanktoped headshot. I like it. It looks like I have a secret. (Which I do...)
So if you are an aspiring author, my advice is to get a good author headshot now. It'll save you from scrambling after you finally get that lusted-after 'call'.
hor headshot?
Clive Cussler. He's always posing with one of Dirk Pitt's classic cars.
ReplyDeleteI don't have "the" headshot yet, but I've got my favorite photographer in my back pocket waiting for that call. :) BTW - LOVE your new sepia shots. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a brand...I'm a human!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to suck at this stuff...if I ever get the 'call'.
I think all of your pics look good but you do have to be comfortable with the one you see all the time.
I keep putting it off. Then again, I'm not getting any younger, so I should probably hurry. :)
ReplyDeleteerica
Bwahahahaha, I have my chin on both folded hands shot. Funny. Loved the post! :D
ReplyDeleteI don't have a headshot yet. I'm dreading - I hate pic's. I always look weird. I'm so unphotogenic it should be a crime. But I like your pic's - very nice.
ReplyDeleteWow. Great article, and so something I needed to read. Since I'm still agent-shopping, I'd totally disregarded a 'headshot'. I just thought 'that's what the lovlies with contracts have. Us peanuts are just peanuts. That said, I am conscientious of what pictures of me I put out there. I love the one I have up as my blog profile, but while part of me would dig seeing it on a book cover, I'm not sure it would do much for my readers.
ReplyDeleteLol, this is great. :) I definitely need a headshot, but first I need to find a cheap photographer.
ReplyDeleteI like ones that look fairly natural and not too stage-y, but it's cool to see ones with personality too. A humor writer for middle grade can get away with a goofy shot, and a sexier shot for romance writers can go a long way to encourage fans. Your pics are great!
ReplyDeleteI like the ones that either look really happy or have just a hint of a smile. I don't want to look like everybody else, but I don't want to look weird. I went through this when I was acting-- a good headshot can get your foot in the door and make directors remember you at auditions. I had no idea that your agent would ask for a headshot and bio right away! That's good to know! All three of your headshots look great and I do agree- the sepia one is the best of the three.
ReplyDeleteHere's to your success!
I like the first one, but it has to feel comfortable for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm having mine made at the end of the week. Great pictures of you. Found you from Faeries are Real.
ReplyDeleteI officially want a tutu skirt like Aprilynne. AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the tutu, but don't think I'd ever be able to pull it off. Taking pics this week and now I don't know what I want it to look like.
ReplyDeleteI like this author's pic though: http://www.ellecosimano.com/
oof... I didn't know headshots were needed so soon either. not a fan of the camera ... (also a fan of the tutu, like the comments above!)
ReplyDelete