Insecure Writer's Support Group: Pen Names Queston


It's already March! That means it's already time for yet another installment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! You can visit the site and join us at the previous link. Also be sure to visit Alex J. Cavanaugh, our founder, and our co-hosts to show them some love!

The question for this month is: Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?

I can't think of any off the bat, so I don't think I have. But, as I said, I'm working on a contemporary romance, so that will most likely be where one will pop up.

In other news, I want to see what others think: I've had this corny idea in my head for a while to change my pen name depending on the genre I'm writing. This would mainly be for if I'm still self-publishing, I think, and I don't even plan to branch out of speculative fiction too often. But I am working on a contemporary romance. Would fantasy readers get confused if I kept my pen name but the book is a romance? I would like to be easy to find across the board, but I kind of want my name to reflect the genre as well. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it, though. What do you all think?

11 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I know authors who do it both ways. I guess it's a question are you up to a second brand and double the social media.

Computer Tutor said...

I think different pen names for different genres is a good idea. As a reader, I like to associate an author with a type of book and know I can grab his/her book and I'll have what I like reading. It annoys me when that doesn't work.

Just my opinion!

Sarah Foster said...

That's tricky. I would WANT to write everything under the same name, but like you said, that might confuse readers. I've actually been thinking of using a pen name for my more straightforward romance ideas, since they're so different from the usual stuff I write. But I'm still not quite sure what I really want to do.

Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost said...

I say it's your world, change your pen name as you see fit! :-)

Debra Renée Byrd said...

I hadn't even factored in social media! Lord. I'm bad at it as it is!

Debra Renée Byrd said...

That's why I'm leaning that way! I have recently seen a book where it said, for eg., "Jane Smith writing as Jane Doe." I liked that, but that's a lot of words on the cover!

Debra Renée Byrd said...

Yeah, I'll be thinking on this one for a while.

Heather R. Holden said...

It all comes down to personal preference, I think. Some authors write everything under a single name, no matter the genre, while others embrace pen names. The latter would double the marketing you have to do, but is still a good route to go for more experimental stories--if, for any reason, those stories tank, then it won't tarnish the sellability of those under your main name. You can even choose to re-release your books under your preferred name later on, should you change your mind about the pen name. Good luck figuring out what will work best for you!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I have been noticing more authors branching out into different genres and age groups using the same name. If you use pen name, you have to be prepared to maintain social media platforms and marketing under both names.

Debra Renée Byrd said...

Maybe I'll just put: A [Insert Genre] by [me]. I don't plan to branch out often enough.

Tara Tyler said...

romance is good to have a separate name for, but fantasy and spec fiction could easily stay the same. and i would heed Natalie’s advice—gotta keep up a presence for that “new brand” - good luck with your decision and your writing!

also wanted to thank you for stopping by my Beast World campaign at Alex’s

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