Saturday, June 23, 2012

A Few Quick Questions

If you decide to use a pseudonym for your writing, do you wear a disguise for your author photo? 

Do you color your hair and eyebrows?

Do you hire a makeup artist to transform you into someone you aren't?

Do you part your hair on the other side and wear different glasses or none at all?

Is it wrong to hire someone prettier and maybe younger or just more professional-looking to pretend to be you for the picture and maybe events (should it come to that)?

Or maybe the photographer can alter the photo enough to remove freckles, add a tan, wipe out wrinkles, stretch it out to fix that weight issue, recolor the hair, and flip it to a mirror image to take care of that part?  That would probably be better.

(BTW, I say 'you' - but I mean me.  I'm sure none of you have any of these insecurities.)

27 comments:

  1. I need a stand-in for the photo I use with my real name. I can't stand my official author photo. I cringe when I see it and give it up only reluctantly when the publisher asks for it.

    And yet I am too lazy (or scared) to get another one taken ...

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  2. I'm trying to get an official photo taken, in case I sell the book! She hasn't got back to me yet...a bit of a challenge, clearly. I don't use a pseudonym, I use my maiden name, but I'm considering a long, moody shot, black and white, hair blowing over face at about 90 feet. Possibly standing behind something to cover me from the neck down so I don't have to go on a crash diet and buy a corset. And then, what do you wear? We're talented writers, not models.

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    1. Yep, that's exactly how I feel about pictures. Good luck on yours.

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  3. HA! I had never thought about this before but you do bring up a good point. I just might have to consider it :)

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    1. Why have a pseudonym if your picture is going to be right on it?

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  4. Just get a professional photo of yourself. And remember to be yourself.

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  5. Ooooh you have no idea... the insecurities I have... lol! I want a professional photo taken eventually, otherwise I am just going to use my cat. XD My pseudonym really only includes my husband's first initial as my middle one. He won't let me give him any more credit than that for all the help he has given me. But I don't want to go to all that trouble just to have someone call me out on it later on down the line. Just be yourself or take a page from Hitchcok and have a shadowed profile. ;)

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    1. I'm thinking a morning at the spa before the photo - fresh haircut and makeup (since I own none). My hair person always poofs my hair up real big so I never look like myself when I leave anyway. Maybe some nail polish that isn't black, and a stop at a store to buy clothes I would never ever normally wear so people will say, 'that can't possibly be her - she isn't wearing a grayt-shirt.'

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  6. I don't have a pseudonym. I think you should just take a photo of yourself. Oh...and BTW. I have all those insecurities . :)

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  7. I've considered using a pen name for my writing, but currently I only do so for my reviews on Amazon -- a combo of my two deceased grandfathers' names with a picture of Bill the Cat.

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    1. I love Bill the Cat. Is your real name Milo? That's awesome!

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  8. I only use my first two initials for my writing name, so for my picture I'll have them crop out two-thirds of my face. :)

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  9. I have no idea! I know one author who uses a pen name, but she also writes under her real name and makes no secret the pen name is her.

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    1. I wonder if you're referring to Hart. She's the one that got me thinking about it.

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  10. I blog under my pseudonym and do have pics of me on it, but somewhat disguised by sunglasses and effects...though actually, there is at least one that's completely undoctored and my face is visible. (Sorry about that one, y'all.) If coloring your hair feels right for you, then why not? Though I don't reckon I'd feel comfortable hiring a stunt double to represent me...but, you know, if that works for you...:-)
    Some Dark Romantic

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    1. I don't think any of us have the budget for a stunt double. I was thinking more of an unpaid intern. :)

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  11. It all depends on WHY you're using a pen name.

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  12. I have the exact problem and curiosity. Murees Dupé is my pseudonym, as my family didn't want me writing under my own name, in case I embarrass them or something. I guess we should just hope that nobody recognizes us when we have any photos taken.

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    1. If you post your own picture, I think the pseudonym only really works to hide your identity if no one reads it. I didn't know you used a pseudonym. How did you come up with it?

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  13. lol, I wish it were that simple... Alas, you'll still need to be you no matter what name you go by.

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  14. little things like that motivate me in a way I have a hard time understanding. More power to you.

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    1. The picture-taking requirement motivates me to lose some weight - but that's probably not what you meant.

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