Late this afternoon, after a full day immersed in revisions, my editor’s assistant emailed the message below:

“Do you have a photo we could use for our catalog?  The image should be a straightforward headshot or an image from the waist up.  Keep in mind the photo typically prints at about the size of a stamp in the catalog.  The image needs to be saves as a jpeg with 300 dpi and you can send it to us via email.  We need it by 2/1.”

It might seem like a pretty straightforward message, but it FELT like a huge and frightening challenge.

First, the request, like the draft catalog copy I received last week, once again reminded me that my project is taking on new dimension.  It’s not just my words anymore, it’s a product.

Second, most women don’t just have spare professional pictures sitting around, much less ones that they like.  I took my last professional photo about a decade ago, when my hair was far shorter, a cropped Afro, than it is now.  I have chin-length locks.

Third, while I don’t consider myself vain,  I want a cool photo!

I  confess that I panicked.  I thought I’d have time to work out at the gym again, shed a few pounds, etc.  Nope.

So what did I do?

I called my sister and shared my anxiety and then picked up my kid from school.

When we arrived at home,  I emailed the assistant to ask if the catalog photo and the book jacket photo were the same.  She explained that I had time to get the book photo together.

Then I contacted a local photography studio whose work I liked well enough.

Finally, after searching the web for the contact information,  I emailed a New York photographer who specializes in photographing authors.  I adore her work.  We’ll see what she says.

So what’s the point of this post?

After you submit the final manuscript, do yourself a favor and just sit for a photo.  You’ll be glad you did.