Writing Asked by Caspian on October 28, 2021
I have two different legal names (it’s a weird consequence of dual citizenship). When I’m in Taiwan, I use my Chinese name on official business. When I visit America, I use my American name.
I’m wrapping up a historical fiction novel set in ancient China (the book is in English). It would make sense to use my Chinese name. The US copyright office would probably consider it to be a pseudonym, but I don’t mind that. If I did write future books, I would only ever have them set in China.
But here’s the problem. I don’t look Chinese. I’m bi-racial. When it comes to the author’s photo, I’m afraid of people thinking I’m an imposter who stupidly made up a Chinese pseudonym without realizing that I have an American face.
My two options are to defend myself in my author’s bio (which would be weird) or foregoing the author’s photo entirely.
Are there any disadvantages of writing a book with no author photo? Would many readers notice the omission? If they did, would they care?
Yes, omitting your photo is a disadvantage. Your readers must be able to see and relate to you to buy your book.
Most publishers expect authors to promote their work through social media extensively. For this, it is critical to establish a strong personal connection with your readers. In photos and videos, it is essential for you to make eye contact through the lens and smile naturally to convey your humanity and energy to the person who is interested in you and your work!
Beyond photos, your bio is your opportunity to craft the narrative of your origin story and how it brought you to create your current work. This is essential for all creative personalities. If you are a bit shy, remember that your story is not self-glorification; it is about why and how you came to write a book---about your subject---for your audience.
Beyond the photo and bio: Find opportunities to give separate interviews for each language! Look for relevant cultural organizations, blogs, YouTube channels, and podcasts. Link to the interviews from your various social media accounts. Maybe ask a friend to create a video montage of your best moments on camera. Consider hiring a professional on Upwork or Fiverr to shoot and produce a 1-3 minute author's bio video for YouTube.
I hope this helps!
Answered by rolfedh on October 28, 2021
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