Does having an author’s photo on the outside of the cover, where it can be seen by anyone picking up the book, make you more likely to buy it? A picture can’t tell you if the book is good enough for you to spend your dollars on. Only the quality of the writing can do that.

Okay, so why am I asking about photos? I don’t take a good picture. I look like . . . well, use your imagination. My daughter, Carla, chose the vineyards for my picture. I sat on fences, a balancing act trust me. Finally, after touring several wineries in Livermore we agreed a picture of me standing in front of huge wooden doors into a barrel room would look best for my book cover. Comments welcome.

How about book covers? First, I’m drawn to a book by its cover and then the author. I can’t wait to see what cover my publisher has in mind for my book. When asked, I suggested vineyards, the golden hills of California, Shakespeare. That seemed appropriate since Twisted Vines is a Shakespeare in the Vineyard mystery. How do you choose a particular book?