I’ve been meaning to get a professional ‘author photo’ for a while now. I don’t know about you, but while I love taking photos (of water, landscapes, public art, flowers, snow), I hate being on the other side of the lens, especially if it’s to be a formal photo.

My research tells me it’s important that the photo ‘brand’ me (like a box of Corn Flakes?), and make me look like someone the reader would like to spend time with.

“Have it taken with a cat,” advises a friend. “Everyone likes spending time with a person who has a cat.”

I don’t have a cat.

“Dogs are good too,” she says. I check. It’s true – Edith Wharton, Dorothy Parker and Virginia Woolf all have dogs.

I used to have a dog. Continue reading →