I'm with you on the icon/author photo dilemma. More than the name, it's the thing that helps me identify people quickly. When someone changes it, I may not notice it for a long time or ever, and then I will wonder whatever happened to said person.
Yup! Those are my thoughts. A potential solution would be to walk over to the same brick wall with the same shirt and do a nearly identical picture. I probably wouldn't get the lighting right though, I'm not that good at photography :)
That would make it look the same-ish or at least close enough not to wipe out the recognizability. If you take some and don't like any, you have lost nothing but some of your time.
I used to have a photo of myself, but it seemingly inspired too many overtures from nut job men (and I was in my 60’s for heaven’s sake!). So I switched to my dog, but that was painful after he died. Now I use an axolotl - a life I’m totally curious about, and a role I’d be intrigued by.😉
I thought your profile picture was a flower. Your comment gave me a reason to zoom in on it! Lovely! Yes, creepy men is a problem of the internet, unfortunately.
That's what I thought too. I have a good story from that day. I had a whole 6 pack in that bag and I shared it with a bunch of German tourists who became my new best friends :)
I just joined your Substack and am one of those “You have minutes to reel me in” weirdos. That photo and the guffaws that followed? Yep. Did the he job.
Hey Walter, I love the cartoon pictures you made, they are a hoot. I do like the picture that is on there now. I loved this story, well told as always, my good friend. Blessings. :)
It's too late this year, but I'm thinking you in an ice-fishing shack staring meaningfully at the hole in the ice ...
Ha! I've never gone ice fishing, but I have some good ones of me with an ice beard from cross-country skiing!
Count yourself lucky ... BTW I'd definitely buy a book with the photo of the author that your editor rejected!
I'm with you on the icon/author photo dilemma. More than the name, it's the thing that helps me identify people quickly. When someone changes it, I may not notice it for a long time or ever, and then I will wonder whatever happened to said person.
Yup! Those are my thoughts. A potential solution would be to walk over to the same brick wall with the same shirt and do a nearly identical picture. I probably wouldn't get the lighting right though, I'm not that good at photography :)
That would make it look the same-ish or at least close enough not to wipe out the recognizability. If you take some and don't like any, you have lost nothing but some of your time.
I used to have a photo of myself, but it seemingly inspired too many overtures from nut job men (and I was in my 60’s for heaven’s sake!). So I switched to my dog, but that was painful after he died. Now I use an axolotl - a life I’m totally curious about, and a role I’d be intrigued by.😉
I thought your profile picture was a flower. Your comment gave me a reason to zoom in on it! Lovely! Yes, creepy men is a problem of the internet, unfortunately.
The one with the beer got .e burst laughing. Sorta get the feeling that's the real you, and isn't that the best way to attract your readers?
That's what I thought too. I have a good story from that day. I had a whole 6 pack in that bag and I shared it with a bunch of German tourists who became my new best friends :)
I just joined your Substack and am one of those “You have minutes to reel me in” weirdos. That photo and the guffaws that followed? Yep. Did the he job.
I don't think that makes you a weirdo :) my job is to be engaging!
Hey Walter, I love the cartoon pictures you made, they are a hoot. I do like the picture that is on there now. I loved this story, well told as always, my good friend. Blessings. :)
Thanks Bill!
You are very welcome frieind. Blessings. I like your picture that’s up there. Keep it friend. :)
Not in my book 😉
Glad to get that feedback :)
I'm looking forward to the new one. It should be a grand event. Certainly worthy of another piece.
— thanks for the mention. Appreciate it!
The one author photo I use most often doubles as promotion, since I am holding one of my books in it.