Thursday, 3 October 2013

Christine Rains is on a blog tour...

 
And last but not least on my recent guest post list, Christine Rains has popped in for a very special post as part of her The 13th Floor Complete Collection blog tour.

 Take it away, Christine....



NEW AUTHOR PHOTO REVEAL by Christine Rains

The camera hates me. We have an agreement. I take the pictures and never step in front of it. The camera continues to take cute photos of my son.

But it's time for a new author photo. The one I use now is nearly three years old. While it's satisfactory, it doesn't look like the every day me any more. One of the most important jobs of an author photo is to give readers a reference so that if they happen to see you out and about, they'll recognize you. It's also part of marketing your brand. You are as much of a part of your brand as your books. You should update your author photo often.

If you can afford it, get a professional to take your photo. It needs to be clean, simple, and friendly. The background should be neutral. Don't doll yourself up with lots of make-up or wear fancy clothes. Just be yourself. Some people can pull off quirky, but most of us shouldn't go with gimmicks. Think about your favorite books and smile.

I'm more nervous revealing this photo than I was the cover to the 13th Floor Collection. I can't afford to get a professional photo done, but my husband has a keen eye and a steady hand. He borrowed the fancy camera from his work, and we did a photo session. There were several dozen shots. My glasses kept reflecting the flash. My smile was crooked, and there's a freckle on the tip of my nose. Ack!

So here we go. Paranormal romance author Christine Rains.


I can't pull off quirky, but there was one prop that refused to be left out of the photo shoot. This one is for all the Tawa fans!



Have you updated your author photo lately?


The 13th Floor Complete Collection by Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: October 13th, 2013

Six supernatural tenants
Living in a haunted apartment building
On a floor that doesn't exist.

Six novellas telling their tales.
  • A retired demon acquires a price on his head.
  • A werewolf is hunted by her pack.
  • A modern day dragonslayer misses his target.
  • A harpy challenges Zeus for the soul of the man she loves.
  • A vampire is obsessed with a young woman he can't find.
  • A banshee falls in love with someone who's death she has seen in a vision.
  • And a sweet ghost must battle a primal monster to save them all.
All the stories take place at the same time intertwining their lives together on the 13th Floor.

Author Bio:
Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has eight novellas and twenty-one short stories published.

Website  //  Blog  //  Facebook  //  Twitter  //  Goodreads 

Buy here:
Amazon  //  B&N  //  Kobo  //  Smashwords 




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50 comments:

  1. Suzanne Furness3 October 2013 at 07:42

    I feel the same way with photos, I used to do a lot of photography as a hobby (don't have time anymore too busy writing!) and always preferred to take the shot rather than be in it. Don't think you have anything to worry about with your new one, Christine, it looks great. Best wishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 12:26

      Thanks so much, Suzanne. I love taking pictures too. I think my son gets a little annoyed at times!

      Delete
  2. Heather R. Holden3 October 2013 at 08:05

    Love the new author photo, Christine! There's no reason to be nervous. :) Also...TAWA! Awesome!

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    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 12:26

      Thank you, Heather! I couldn't leave Tawa out. :)

      Delete
  3. Kyra Lennon3 October 2013 at 09:00

    I LOVE the new photo! I don't think anyone really likes having their photo taken, but this looks really good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 12:27

      Thank you, Kyra! Now I can hide behind the camera again. :)

      Delete
  4. Susan Flett Swiderski3 October 2013 at 11:41

    I HATE to have my picture taken. Always have, always will. Just got a new pic taken for my driver's license the other day, and I am not a happy camper. The last license photo was taken more than fifteen years ago, and it only bore a slight (and skinny) resemblance to what I look like now... and I wasn't happy about it. But doggone it, the NEW picture looks like a fat old lady. (When exactly did SHE take over my body...?)

    Your new pics look terrific, and I especially like the one with TAWA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 12:28

      Thanks, Susan! Oh man, driver's license photos. Yikes! I always wonder who that is in the pictures of me too. My inner image of me stopped aging at about 21!

      Delete
  5. Alex J. Cavanaugh3 October 2013 at 11:50

    You know how much I despise a camera! Your photo looks great. You're a redhead - didn't know that. Definitely use the one with Tawa. Goes back to your beginnings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 12:28

      Thank you, Alex. Tawa takes much better photos too!

      Delete
  6. Yolanda Renée3 October 2013 at 12:38

    So cute! It's a great photo, I hate the camera, always looks like me. Can't we hire a stand in!
    Tawa is very photogenic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 20:13

      If only I could just use Tawa as my author pic. She lovely stuffed hippo, and those button eyes!

      Delete
  7. Unknown3 October 2013 at 13:08

    Christine's right about a picture. A professional pic is very important. Years ago when I worked on the stage I had LOTS of them made. But now I'm happy with my anonymous avatar. *wink* Good luck to Christine and her new book! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 20:15

      Thank you, Lexa! I'd like an anonymous avatar too, but since one book cover won't represent me, I need to at least try not to break the camera as I smile! :)

      Delete
  8. Joanne3 October 2013 at 14:33

    excellent photo, and I love your bio. Four degrees? wow. Good luck with your new book - sounds like a fun read. My photo looks like my passport - ugh - I'd rather be a blur.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 20:16

      Thank you, Joanne! Your picture looks lovely. As for the four degrees, I'd be a professional student if I could afford it!

      Delete
  9. Morgan3 October 2013 at 14:38

    Love the new author photo! <3

    ReplyDelete
  10. Julie Flanders3 October 2013 at 15:16

    Great photo!!! I can relate to being more nervous about your own photo than the cover, but you had nothing to worry about. This is a great pic and I'm also so glad to see Tawa got in on the action LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 20:17

      Thanks, Julie! Tawa wouldn't be quiet until I included her! *LOL*

      Delete
  11. Elizabeth Seckman3 October 2013 at 18:18

    Love it Christine!! The book and the photo!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Patsy3 October 2013 at 18:21

    That's a nice, photo.

    I do keep updating mine. I don't want to use one that's ten years younger than I am and give people a shock when they meet me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 20:18

      Thank you, Patsy. That's very true. I used to look years younger than my age, but having a kid has taken away that! *laughs*

      Delete
  13. Nick Wilford3 October 2013 at 19:25

    Great photo! Funny how these seem to be one of our biggest fears, but yours turned out great!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gwen Gardner3 October 2013 at 19:31

    It's an awesome photo, Christine! Your hubby did a great job. I especially like the little stuffed animal - is that the one from Fearless? I don't get alone with the camera, either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains3 October 2013 at 20:19

      Yup, that's Tawa the stuffed hippo from Fearless. She'll get more photo opts in the future! Thanks, Gwen. :)

      Delete
  15. Krista McLaughlin4 October 2013 at 06:09

    Wonderful photo!! :) And I love that Tawa had to be in there! I squealed a little bit because I love stuffed hippos... I possibly have six stuffed hippos sleeping in my bed, but if anyone asks you don't know anything about them. ;)

    I actually just had a friend do my author photos last weekend! She's getting her degree in photography and I can't wait to see them when she finishes with them. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains4 October 2013 at 18:32

      Thank you, Krista. Tawa says there's only room for one stuffed hippo in this house! *LOL* Very nice to have your friend take your new photos. :)

      Delete
  16. Anonymous4 October 2013 at 06:16

    Can't agree more on a professional photo... something I am really lacking in doing. Like you, I hate the camera. Your new author photo is fantastic, Christine:) No need to be nervous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains4 October 2013 at 18:33

      Thank you, Tania. Your photo is cute! I'm just glad I got it over with and won't have to do it again for a couple of years!

      Delete
  17. Carrie Butler4 October 2013 at 07:00

    It looks fantastic! My author photo is less than a year old, so I think I have a few more miles with this one... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains4 October 2013 at 18:33

      Thanks, Carrie! Oh yeah, at least. Yours is sharp!

      Delete
  18. Anonymous4 October 2013 at 13:05

    Nice author photo. I still haven't taken care of getting one. I'll get it taken care of after the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains4 October 2013 at 18:34

      Thank you, Susanne! The holidays are looming just in front of us, aren't they? Yikes!

      Delete
  19. Crystal Collier4 October 2013 at 18:09

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Crystal Collier4 October 2013 at 18:11

    Not everyone is as lucky as me--winning an ARC. Have I mentioned I'm reading it? If not, let me rub it in. Super stupendous!

    Great photo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains4 October 2013 at 18:34

      Thank you so much, Crystal! I'm so happy you're loving it. Makes me feel all giddy. :)

      Delete
  21. Annalisa Crawford4 October 2013 at 19:04

    Thanks to everyone who's commented on Christine's great photo reveal. I've been putting off having my next set taken... I'm hoping this will push me into it :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains8 October 2013 at 02:42

      Go for it, Annalisa! You have your own live-in photographer. :)

      Delete
  22. klahanie6 October 2013 at 03:25

    Hi Annalisa and Christine,

    One moment, I only just managed to get here. The camera loves you. Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar also says so. As for me, she has told me to get rid of my photo :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains8 October 2013 at 02:42

      Hi Gary! Well, if Penny says so, I feel much better. She has good taste. :)

      Delete
  23. Hilary Melton-Butcher6 October 2013 at 15:46

    Hi Annalisa and Christine - great that Christine has joined you for her photo reveal - always a difficult thing to do - I too hate having my photo taken -

    I'm just in awe of Christine and her range of degrees - I wonder if her son will rise above Mum in the number count?!

    Christine I loved the one novella of yours I read - and now must read the others .. cheers to you both - and congratulations on your photo reveal - you look so cheerful .. not too brainy! Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine Rains8 October 2013 at 02:43

      Thank you, Hilary! I do hope my son will have my love of learning. He already adores going to preschool and he's surrounded by books at home. I want to nurture that natural curiosity in him. :)

      Delete
  24. Mark Koopmans8 October 2013 at 08:31

    Love that first line by Christine.... my camera takes a *lot* of pictures of *my* boys, too :)

    Congrats on the book - and the degrees.... gosh, the only ones I have are of various levels of separation...

    ReplyDelete
  25. Misha Gerrick8 October 2013 at 16:04

    They came out nicely! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous9 October 2013 at 03:19

    Good advice! All these books, jeopardy and a family too! You are one busy lady! Wishing you only good things, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  27. nutschell9 October 2013 at 18:30

    great advice! and i love how you manage to keep everything under control despite your busy schedule.
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous10 October 2013 at 07:14

    They're both great. My favorite one is with Tawa.

    I need to update my photo.

    ReplyDelete

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