Author's Pic, have you ever judged a book by this?
04-27-03, 06:25 AM
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Author's Pic, have you ever judged a book by this?
I think I did the other day 
I picked up the book "DHAMPIR" by Barb & J.C. Hendee and when I finally looked at the pic they had in the book I suddenly thought the book would kinda suck. But I immediately scolded myself for even judging that way. Anyway, they're from Colorado...not a bad thing... and in the pic the guy is dressed like a Cowboy and his wife(co-author) has a tank top and has short permed hair and the pic makes them both look "trailer parkish". I mean what would "Trailer Park Folks" know about Vampires? Not that there's anything wrong with "trailer Parks"...
Mind you they've both written several book and are College teachers.
Anyway, this made wonder if any of you guys have ever done this? What about if the Author is attractive?
I picked up the book "DHAMPIR" by Barb & J.C. Hendee and when I finally looked at the pic they had in the book I suddenly thought the book would kinda suck. But I immediately scolded myself for even judging that way. Anyway, they're from Colorado...not a bad thing... and in the pic the guy is dressed like a Cowboy and his wife(co-author) has a tank top and has short permed hair and the pic makes them both look "trailer parkish". I mean what would "Trailer Park Folks" know about Vampires? Not that there's anything wrong with "trailer Parks"...
Mind you they've both written several book and are College teachers.
Anyway, this made wonder if any of you guys have ever done this? What about if the Author is attractive?
04-28-03, 07:31 PM
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Originally posted by Groucho
I wasn't interested in the Harry Potter books until I saw that the author was a MILF.
I wasn't interested in the Harry Potter books until I saw that the author was a MILF.
I have the same reaction to Nigella Lawson and her cookbooks
04-28-03, 10:53 PM
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Not really.
I can tell you this: That cool shot they used to use of Alistair McLean, with the wool sweater and his face into the wind, made him look like a dude who'd know a thing or two about Nazi Alpine fortresses or Nuclear subs w/ Jim Brown on them.
I can tell you this: That cool shot they used to use of Alistair McLean, with the wool sweater and his face into the wind, made him look like a dude who'd know a thing or two about Nazi Alpine fortresses or Nuclear subs w/ Jim Brown on them.
04-30-03, 10:50 AM
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Originally posted by Groucho
I wasn't interested in the Harry Potter books until I saw that the author was a MILF.
I wasn't interested in the Harry Potter books until I saw that the author was a MILF.
04-30-03, 05:45 PM
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Originally posted by Morf
Boo!
Boo!
04-30-03, 06:22 PM
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Originally posted by Deke Rivers
maybe with some beer goggles on!..The picture prbably made her look good from far but she is far from good
maybe with some beer goggles on!..The picture prbably made her look good from far but she is far from good
1. With MILFS you let some things slide.
2. She looks like Laura Dern and is not that bad.
3. SHE'S RICH$$$$
05-06-03, 11:06 AM
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No, but I must say the newest picture of stephen king they are using is my favorite by far. The one used in From a Buick 8. I always liked the one on Bag of Bones as well.
05-06-03, 01:49 PM
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<small>
</small>It probably depends on one's own age!
I suppose that JK and I are near-contemporaries and I think she is a nice-looking woman; albeit one who has "improved" her appearance somewhat from her struggling artist days if the before and after pictures I saw in a newspaper a year ago are anythhing to go by.
[
Giantrobo has already mentioned point 3!]
To answer the original question posed as to superficiality when it comes to buying books.... no, I have not yet made and would not make a decision based on the author's picture or, for that matter, on the cover - although I admit that the cover might attract (or detract from) my attention to some extent.
Originally posted by Deke Rivers
I saw her interviewed on TV..you better have plenty of alcohol on hand
I saw her interviewed on TV..you better have plenty of alcohol on hand
I suppose that JK and I are near-contemporaries and I think she is a nice-looking woman; albeit one who has "improved" her appearance somewhat from her struggling artist days if the before and after pictures I saw in a newspaper a year ago are anythhing to go by.
[
Giantrobo has already mentioned point 3!]To answer the original question posed as to superficiality when it comes to buying books.... no, I have not yet made and would not make a decision based on the author's picture or, for that matter, on the cover - although I admit that the cover might attract (or detract from) my attention to some extent.
05-08-03, 12:50 PM
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Oh definitely! There's no way I can buy a horror, sci-fi, or fantasy novel unless the author photo meets my strict standards of good appearance.
Surely, none of these guys can write worth a damn.
Surely, none of these guys can write worth a damn.
01-27-05, 01:51 PM
#15
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I was just thinking about this last night at the library and, of course, I see there's a thread on it.
I REALLY don't like seeing the author's picture at all, ESPECIALLY if it's a memoir/autobiography. Even w/fiction it usually bugs me, so I avoid looking at the picture if at all possible. Why do they always need their pictures in there anyway? And sometimes it's downright huge...
I REALLY don't like seeing the author's picture at all, ESPECIALLY if it's a memoir/autobiography. Even w/fiction it usually bugs me, so I avoid looking at the picture if at all possible. Why do they always need their pictures in there anyway? And sometimes it's downright huge...
01-27-05, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Nocturnaloner
Oh definitely! There's no way I can buy a horror, sci-fi, or fantasy novel unless the author photo meets my strict standards of good appearance.
Surely, none of these guys can write worth a damn.
Surely, none of these guys can write worth a damn.
01-27-05, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Groucho
I wasn't interested in the Harry Potter books until I saw that the author was a MILF.
Anyhow, as most of the literature I read are old classics, I rarely see photos of the author. However, I was hard-pressed to like 'Robinson Crusoe' after seeing Daniel Defoe's awesome hair.
01-27-05, 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by natevines
I, for one, agree with that sentiment
Anyhow, as most of the literature I read are old classics, I rarely see photos of the author. However, I was hard-pressed to like 'Robinson Crusoe' after seeing Daniel Defoe's awesome hair.
Anyhow, as most of the literature I read are old classics, I rarely see photos of the author. However, I was hard-pressed to like 'Robinson Crusoe' after seeing Daniel Defoe's awesome hair.
That's almost as bad as Richard Laymon!
Funny - I've never looked at the author's picture until after I've finished the book. Now I realise what a good practice this is.
01-27-05, 10:20 PM
#19
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I sort of dig Stephen King's older author photos, back when he had a big bushy beard and looked like a wildman.
Like the author photo on the cover of the "Dead Zone" hardcover (which I can't find) or the cover of "Danse Macabre."
Like the author photo on the cover of the "Dead Zone" hardcover (which I can't find) or the cover of "Danse Macabre."
Last edited by Josh-da-man; 01-27-05 at 10:28 PM.
01-27-05, 10:27 PM
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I might've initially picked up Poppy Z. Brite's books because of her author photo... can't remember, but it's a possibility.
01-31-05, 09:35 PM
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another thing I hate is when they use 10 or 15 year old pics. 
02-01-05, 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by clappj
Nope.
But I do occasionally judge them by their covers.
But I do occasionally judge them by their covers.
you sick bastard