Question: Do you want to know what an author looks like?
I’ve read two or three articles about this in the past week and, being someone who has never shown his face on his own blog, I’m curious about it.
So in the Comments area, I’d love to hear your feedback. Would you like Stephen King‘s work as much if you didn’t know what he looked like? Clive Barker‘s? What about J.K. Rowling? John Grisham? Has seeing an author ever strengthened the connection you feel to his or her work, or has it ever damaged that connection? Or do you not care at all?
If it influences your answers in any way, here’s a picture taken of me at a family barbecue a couple days ago.
Me at the grill
So…do you feel closer to me now? 
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Kathleen, this is without a doubt one of the most thoughtful and thought-provoking answers I've received (I asked the question in about six different places). I have to admit that I agree with much of what you say. I *do* expect an author to look a certain way--not because I *want* to expect that--but simply because I do. I don't think I've ever not read a book because of the reasons you shard, but I can see your point very well. I hope to interact with you more often, Kathleen. What an awesome reply yours was! :-)
JJ
I have certain images in my mind. For example, someone who writes gritty detective novels should be male, 40 - 50 years old, look a little hardened and live in a busy city. Someone who writes steamy romances should be female, 35 – 50, married, and look willowy and a little bohemian. Someone who writes horror should be definitely be male and not necessarily classically attractive. Someone who writes cozy mysteries should be female, middle aged, live in a suburb and be a little plump.
See my problem? I have very strong, defined ideas of who should write what. When those ideas are completely off base it tends to skew my desire to read and, I hate to admit, has stopped me from picking up a book that otherwise had me interested.
Now, I will say that my complete bias is only before I have read a book. Once I am reading and actively being entertained, I couldn't care less what the author looks like. Same goes if I see the author after I have read something, their looks won’t deter me from reading another one of their books if I enjoyed the first one.