The Boston Phoenix recently ran an article entitled Aesthetic genius - Why can’t more writers be smart enough to be beautiful, handsome, or at least cute?
The jist was that authors are now expected to also be sex symbols. Naming (and including photos) of young, good-looking authors including Marisha Pessl ("an Audrey Hepburn in sweet black-and-white tones"), Jonathan Safran Foer ("the definition of nerd-handsome") and Nell Freudenberger ("slender figure, large eyes, and pert nose"), the article included the argument that perhaps some of these authors wouldn't have been published if they weren't so damn foxy.
But is it plain jealously - not only have they been published, but they have the temerity to also be attractive!? Or is there something in it - in this looks-obsessed age, is it a surprise that we'd prefer author photos we can study with a smile, rather than a shriek?
Basically, Hot Young Authors - Yay or Nay and Why?
Also, since - as someone pointed out in the comments to the article - Photoshop means everyone can be made to look good in a photo, we'd love to hear from any authors who may be reading: does your author photo actually look like you?
[Don't forget it's Yay or Nay day at Hippyshopper, Bridalwave, Dollymix, Corrie Blog, Catwalk Queen, Kiss and Makeup, The Bag Lady, Shoewawa and Shiny Shiny, too!]
