Friends, I have a decision to make.
When Finding God in Ordinary Time is out in the world, people who DO NOT ALREADY KNOW ME are going to be thinking about buying it. Maybe they will pick up a copy in a bookstore and flip through it. Maybe they will check out my author page in Goodreads (after I create it, of course). Either way, one of the things they are going to look at is my author photo. Which means I need to hurry up and decide which one to use!
Here are my two choices. I like them both, but they definitely give off two different vibes. I don’t want to predispose you by saying what I think those vibes are (though I have my opinions), so for simplicity’s sake I am just going to refer to them as “Glasses” and “No Glasses.” (Don’t worry about the varying image quality; Green Writers Press has a good version of each.)
So, which should it be?
Which is more likely to encourage a stranger to flip or click through?
Please weigh in by commenting “Glasses” or “No Glasses,” and feel free to explain why.
If you like, you can even insert the rant of your choice: about the judging of books by covers, about contemporary standards of beauty, etc. It’s your rant; have at it. (Goodness knows I’m doing it in my head.)
Thanks for your help!
~ Christine
Christine Marie Eberle 
Tough decision. I’d go with the glasses one. The head slant on the other is just a bit too cute. To complicate things further, I seem to remember a photo of you driving that was very nice. Or maybe it was an outside photo I liked (yes, a little vague in my description!). I remember thinking it would make a good author photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the one without the glasses because you look calm and at peace…that’s what I get from it.
However, based on what I know of you, my vote is for the glasses and the big smile one because that’s who you are. I think based on some of the stories I have read, this picture reflects it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glasses. Because it looks more like your friendly self.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Depends on what you want to put out there – thus your question. I like the one with the glasses -down to earth, very much ‘you’. The one without the glasses is very dramatic and ‘authorish’ – I hope I haven’t confused you more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No glasses. Looks less posed.
Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse brevity and errors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Peg, the one you’re thinking of is probably this one: https://christine-marie-eberle.com/about/.
I like it too, but it’s 11 years old, which makes it a bit disingenuous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No glasses 😊
On Sat, Mar 17, 2018 at 10:03 AM Christine Marie Eberle wrote:
> Christine Eberle posted: “Friends, I have a decision to make. When Finding > God in Ordinary Time is out in the world, people who DO NOT ALREADY KNOW ME > are going to be thinking about buying it. Maybe they will pick up a copy > in a bookstore and flip through it. Maybe they will ch” >
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glasses! You look so much more like the amazing woman I respect so much, and your smile is beautiful in that photo as well. Your intelligence and love show so clearly. The other photo is lovely, too, but it’s a bit “blah”. Like it was more staged or something.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a tough choice and I don’t envy your having to make it! I like both pictures but I think glasses because it looks more like the upbeat, joy-filled person I know you to be. However, I have to note that I see the more serious, wise advisor/mentor side of you in the second picture, which may appear more author-like. Ultimately, I think I’d vote glasses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are both great pictures, but I like the one with the glasses. Your picture without the glasses seems a little posed whereas the one with the glasses looks very natural.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Christine, I vote for glasses. That is the Christine we all know and love. I guess more natural. Although the no glasses pic is also very nice…more of a glam pic. Let me know what you decide.
On Mar 17, 2018 10:03 AM, “Christine Marie Eberle” wrote:
> Christine Eberle posted: “Friends, I have a decision to make. When Finding > God in Ordinary Time is out in the world, people who DO NOT ALREADY KNOW ME > are going to be thinking about buying it. Maybe they will pick up a copy > in a bookstore and flip through it. Maybe they will ch” >
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see your dilemma. The “glasses” photo seems to be the Christine that we all know. The “no glasses” seems to be the typical author picture I see on every book. I will say that I like your eyes in the “no glasses” picture better (they seem softer and more communicating to the reader), but I think, overall, I like the “glasses” picture, as it’s more the Christine I know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glasses! You look more engaging and welcoming – just like you are! The no-glasses looks pretty, but tentative.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glasses. It looks more “you” – your personality comes out in it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re both wonderful, Christine, but I’d go with the no glasses. I think your smile is more natural on that one and the dark background gives you an air of mystery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you could put the glasses on the one with softer smile it would be perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glasses. It is natural, authentic look Qi Hoch is what makes a great photo. The other one looks posed. All the best,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Christine,
They are both lovely photos. Of course the one with the âgrinning glassesâ is the Christine that we all know and love. But the other photo is beautiful and looks more author like. However it seems more staged and the glasses photo seems more natural. So I know I havenât given you much to go on. But I think I would go with the glasses photo. Be assured that no matter what you choose, you canât go wrong.
Hugs,
Jack
LikeLiked by 1 person
No glasses– no doubt in my mind. I’m guessing you might need this brutally delivered to be appropriately convinced.
The no glasses picture has both personal appeal and sophistication going for it. If I did not know you, I’d want to walk towards you.
With glasses comes with the Klieg lighting emanating from your smile. Its blinding–which is very charming in person–but likely unmanageable and barely containable in a space measured in millimeters.
On Sat, Mar 17, 2018 at 10:03 AM, Christine Marie Eberle wrote:
> Christine Eberle posted: “Friends, I have a decision to make. When Finding > God in Ordinary Time is out in the world, people who DO NOT ALREADY KNOW ME > are going to be thinking about buying it. Maybe they will pick up a copy > in a bookstore and flip through it. Maybe they will ch” >
LikeLiked by 1 person