It is time to vote.
We had over 60 entries to the awkward author photo contest.
They are basically amazing.
Here’s how this works.
You can check out the whole gallery at this link.
Each photo is numbered (and hastily captioned by yours truly, if you care).
Find the number of your FAVORITE awkward author photo.
Drop that number in a comment, and post the comment.
You can only vote once.
Voting will be open until Sunday the 28th, noon EST.
I’ll tally ’em up on Monday.
Given the number of great photos, I’m actually going to give a t-shirt / mug combo to two different winners (the top two), in addition to two of you randomly getting #amwritingmotherfuckers Post-It notes.
So, that’s it.
Get to voting.
(Also, a head’s up: a few of you sent in emails with multiple photos, which counts as multiple entries. Given that I don’t know which photo was actually your entry, that regrettably disqualified you from inclusion.)
Michael E. Henderson says:
Automatic eliminations: Any picture with a cat; Any picture with booze (I love booze, but I felt the pictures were contrived); any picture that was distorted through software; any picture where the author strived (or strove, if you will) to look stupid. I thought the best selection would be one where the author was trying to look serious, or was trying to make an author photo that failed.
The winner: 19.
September 25, 2014 — 2:35 PM
smkay70 says:
I’m going with #27. Drunk cat lady with overdue bill is a close second.
September 25, 2014 — 2:35 PM
Widdershins says:
57
September 25, 2014 — 2:45 PM
Sia Marion says:
I’m voting for #58. I, too, noted the absurd number of cats! What the? And, further note, the complete lack of dogs! Writers…psh…
September 25, 2014 — 2:48 PM
Jason L Blair says:
35 was absolutely wonderful.
September 25, 2014 — 2:54 PM
Vaarna says:
#27 just captures the awkwardness without being too out there XD
September 25, 2014 — 2:56 PM
Mark Matthews says:
#17. That is a classic, black and white, gender bending, I want to have coffee with that author photo
September 25, 2014 — 2:57 PM
Cathy Rakov says:
#30 He’s the poster boy for: “I finally finished my novel!” Then the realization hits and his body language instantly into…Oh fuck, now I await a barrage of rejection letters and a daily update call from Mum.
September 25, 2014 — 3:07 PM
Juli says:
12, 13, and 14 all really float my boat, and I love 21 (but I think that’s actually more cheesy/cool than awkward), but I’m going to have to go with…final answer…Number 14!! Dude is working the stereotypical “author” pose like a boss, and those scary eyes send the whole thing over the top.
September 25, 2014 — 3:07 PM
Princess Pypita says:
33!!!
September 25, 2014 — 3:08 PM
Satan says:
oh man… how to choose?
but yeah, #6 wins for me. it’s like a perfect author fail.
September 25, 2014 — 3:18 PM
RuthAnn Kern says:
#62 is my favorite
September 25, 2014 — 3:30 PM
Debbie says:
56
September 25, 2014 — 3:37 PM
jbrayweber says:
#27, hands down.
All great photos!
September 25, 2014 — 3:38 PM
Patty says:
Tie: 43 and 32. 43 is perfect. However, Number 32 captures something of the writerly essence. And Mr. Pawpaw is a damn good storyteller.
September 25, 2014 — 3:42 PM
Susan Spann says:
I’m voting in with #29 … but GOOD GOLLY ROCKETS I haven’t laughed that hard in an age. Brilliant photos, people. (Also, the one with the chicken is totally my runner-up. Because CHICKENS.)
September 25, 2014 — 3:46 PM
janinmi says:
Which pic appears to be a serious (i.e. not funny, cute, outrageous or banal) attempt an at author photo? Which pic prompts an “Oh, that’s awkward) response the fastest? No. 9 is my winner. 🙂
September 25, 2014 — 3:50 PM
Wendy says:
#57, hands down.
September 25, 2014 — 3:53 PM
Travis says:
#45
September 25, 2014 — 4:12 PM
A.C. says:
#54
September 25, 2014 — 4:14 PM
wagnerel says:
27, but 17 is a close second.
September 25, 2014 — 4:16 PM
Mara says:
17!!!!
September 25, 2014 — 4:18 PM
CL Stegall says:
#17, but #27 is a close second!
September 25, 2014 — 4:25 PM
Michelle Mulford says:
30.
There were some incredible entries – love peep guy and strawberry lady!
September 25, 2014 — 4:30 PM
brucearthurs says:
Must go with #13, the chicken photo. Not showing a smidgen of an ounce of any awareness that this image might be regarded as a bit odd. “Of course I’m holding a chicken in my author photo. MORE authors need to hold chickens in their photos. Because… chickens.”
September 25, 2014 — 4:42 PM
tsouthcotte says:
17. So much tobacco.
September 25, 2014 — 4:47 PM
Mo says:
I do love the face and pose in #6
September 25, 2014 — 4:47 PM
Ashton says:
Oh my gosh. 15.
September 25, 2014 — 4:58 PM
menomama3 says:
45. Ugly fish and guppy imposter. HILARIOUS!
September 25, 2014 — 4:59 PM
Kara Seal says:
#28. The picture speaks for itself!
September 25, 2014 — 5:05 PM
Rachel says:
#14. But 27 was a close second. Hilarious!
September 25, 2014 — 5:19 PM
Stefanie Lewis says:
#55. Loved all of your captions, by the way.
September 25, 2014 — 5:24 PM
Betsy DuBard says:
I really liked 13 (chicken), and 17 (a million ways to give yourself lung cancer), but I’m going with 27 as my favorite, because actually having that brandy snifter on hand for the photo? Incredible.
September 25, 2014 — 5:41 PM
bonnieramthun says:
Oh dear God, I laughed so hard my cat leaped from my lap and knocked over my tequila bottle. Just kidding. I vote for #29. Because she’s got swords. And a pink princess cone hat.
September 25, 2014 — 5:42 PM
dtkrippene says:
No. 12. Creative, original, chock full of metaphor.
September 25, 2014 — 5:43 PM
Jess Witkins says:
#13 because I can actually see that on a book cover. It’s one of those that make you go, “oh…that’s interesting. Moving along then!” LOL
September 25, 2014 — 5:48 PM
Marjorie says:
14 really speaks to me
September 25, 2014 — 5:57 PM
Cari Middleton says:
No. 62 for me, she is actually thinking about writing or stewing on it!
September 25, 2014 — 6:04 PM
Karen J says:
#31!
September 25, 2014 — 6:06 PM
dangerdean says:
I have to give my vote to #8, mainly because it looks like I entered this contest, though I didn’t, and that’s awkward.
September 25, 2014 — 6:08 PM
Jessica says:
14!
September 25, 2014 — 6:11 PM
kensaispeaks says:
26 … so hard to choose … I like ellipses …
September 25, 2014 — 6:15 PM
Ash says:
My votes for 17, because seriously, what is it about a lady smoking a pipe that’s so sexy i don’t know!
September 25, 2014 — 6:24 PM
M T McGuire says:
I loved the cardboard megazord (25 was it?) and I loved 2 because my cat does that and numbers 36 and 37 but the winner, for me, was 45.
September 25, 2014 — 6:24 PM
Jesse says:
26
September 25, 2014 — 6:31 PM
Daniel Donche Jr. says:
I have no choice. 54.
September 25, 2014 — 6:43 PM
Jan O'Connell says:
#55. Could be an actual awkward author trying to look thoughtful and deep but just looking….awkward.
September 25, 2014 — 6:48 PM
Elle says:
54! Absolutely faboo. The lovingly shellacked comb-over wins every time.
September 25, 2014 — 6:50 PM
Peter Koevari says:
#27 is just brilliant! 🙂 A few great ones in there, but this one had me epically pissing myself laughing
September 25, 2014 — 6:52 PM
gekkegina says:
54, definitely
September 25, 2014 — 7:01 PM