Hello John,
This sounds like an issue with your overrides.
Eg. in item.php the code should be:
<?php if($this->item->params->get('itemAuthor')): ?>
<!-- Item Author -->
<span class="itemAuthor sideItemBlock">
<?php echo K2HelperUtilities::writtenBy($this->item->author->profile->gender); ?>
<?php if(empty($this->item->created_by_alias)): ?>
<a rel="author" href="<?php echo $this->item->author->link; ?>"><?php echo $this->item->author->name; ?></a>
<?php else: ?>
<?php echo $this->item->author->name; ?>
<?php endif; ?>
</span>
<?php endif; ?>
Make sure you are not missing the alias check (<?php if(empty($this->item->created_by_alias)): ?>)
