Tags
a plot for pridemore, danielle mousley, fiction, kansas city, mercer university press, photography, river market, Stephen Roth, the colonnade
When Mercer University Press informed me last year that they would publish my novel in 2014, they told me that I would need to provide a photo of myself for the book jacket. Since the most recent pictures of me exist in the photo stream of my wife’s iPhone, I decided it was time to set up my first individual photo shoot since I donned a cheap tuxedo for Olan Mills as a high school senior.
After months of procrastination, I got in touch with Danielle Mousley, a designer and photographer at Hallmark Cards who also does free-lance photography on the side (you can visit her wonderful blog here). One overcast, breezy afternoon in May, she and I walked through Kansas City’s rustic River Market district, taking shots of me in front of old brick buildings, cast-iron stairways, and the Missouri River. We then visited The Colonnade, an amazing, turn-of-the-century structure overlooking the river in the city’s Northeast neighborhood. The Colonnade was Danielle’s idea, and I have to admit that the Greek-inspired columns and archways seemed to evoke a Southern Gothic feel (which is a good thing, since my novel can best be characterized as Southern fiction).
Danielle took a lot of pictures, and did a great job of putting me at ease. Below are some of my favorites — either because of the setting or my expression. What do y’all think? Which one should I use for the book jacket?
A Place for My Stuff 
I defintly like the one with you and the picture frame. Artsy but professional.
In this order, like the one w/bridge, one sitting on steps, one w/arms crossed and cowboy hat also kinda neat, but maybe too small of you?
I like the one in front of the white brick, and the one sitting on the chair would be fitting for a book jacket. Congrats on publication!
In this order, cowboy hat, on the stairs, on the bridge.
I agree with wannabe that the cowboy hat may not be “close enough of you”
I also like the picture frame photo.
My favorite is smiling on the steps! This is getting exciting…book jacket!
Stephen, I like the ones where you are smiling (teeth showing). It is hard to tell, but I would choose the best eyes…so do a little enlarging & select the one with more open eyes. It really is a toss up…and if they are the same, then the one sitting on the steps. Do let us know which one your choose.