Pick a genre or expect double work. My concerns are that it really is not possible to hide behind a pen name. Are you going to hide from every photograph and public apprearance too? All it takes is one picture loaded on someone’s FB page and tagged to pull down months or years of building a pen name…and possibly earn you the ire of parent groups.

There are benefits to social media and the Internet…but there is a cost too. The cost is maybe we have to pick a genre if we are mixing sex books with writing for children and young people. It might be different if you were writing thrillers or mysteries and erotica. All it takes is one parent putting 2 and 2 together and your goose could be cooked. It would be wonderful if people were all logical and understanding, but parents tend to lose all logic when it comes to their kids, and can we really blame them?

Sorry if this isn’t the answer you wanted. I think when we write for young people, it is kind of like writing Christian Inspirational. People are looking for a continuity of character of who they are going to expose to young impressionable minds.

This is more than a genre question. I think if you were always writing both genre choiced for adults, this wouldn’t be an issue. But you are writing for children. I doubt very highly you could hide behind a pen name like in the old days. I also think that even if you could, it would make you a nervous wreck. Is it worth it?

Of course, this is just my opinion. I am sure there are people who feel you could have two identites. Yet, search engines are getting better and better and everything is computerized. It is a Brave New World and we have to appreciate that as writers. Nowadays, there is little inquiring minds can’t find out with the right key strokes. This isn’t to make you paranoid as much as to make you think. Is it worth the possible headache? You might write both and be fine. But I think there would always be an anvil hanging over your head, especially if you enjoyed any measure of success. If your YA suddenly hits and gets as big as Meyer, you don’t think that other identity wouldn’t surface? And it might be fine, but likely it will be a huge contraversial headache. Just prepare for that very reasonable possibility should you write both. All the best!

J M Cornwell
Among Women

Charlotte,

It’s actually fairly easy. Go to WordPress.com, sign up, and they’ll give you a free blog. I host my own, which costs, but I also host several other web sites including Web Lit Canada on the same server, so you could say the blog gets a free ride.

Wayne

Why don’t you want them crossing over? They’d buy twice as many books. Brand is about YOU. Pen names and separate platforms is a formula to go crazy. Just be open that you write two different genres. Okay…here is a test.

Jen, I write non-fiction AND thrillers.

Did your brain melt? Give it a sec. No? No urge to claw out your own eyes now that you know I write different genres?

I am a HUGE fan of Bob Mayer’s writing, and he writes sci-fi, thriller, romance, NF, and now historical fiction…and I buy them ALL because I LIKE Bob and his writing…no matter what he writes. I like his writing voice. And even if I didn’t (I do), I still like Bob and I enjoy supporting friends by buying their books.

Blogging is to build community and you are the shining star around which everything revolves. Our blogs cannot do what only our book can. Only our book can make people love our fiction. Blogs make people like and support US. That help? I am running a blogging series which I think will help you. Tune in tomorrow for Part 2.

What do we do if we really are in need of keeping some of our online life separate from other parts of our online-ish life? As authors, we’re told to brand our name, but what if you write two very different genres and really don’t want the readers crossing over? Is the answer twice as much blogging? Or tearing your hair out and hoping your town has a good wig store?

Kirsten, you have just potentially added to my very full days. I read all the comments here and became intrigued. I know blogging exists, but how the hell do I go about starting a blog. I feel as if I’m crawling around cyber space like a kid in Faraway Land. I sit in my cave and write or paint all day, every day. I am not good at promoting myself, but realize I need to get over myself and do what needs doing to get my name out there. This takes courage, admitting I’m cyber challeged. I am going to investigate the wheres and hows. I met your site, this one, through one of my fellow editors, Joy beth, in Inspiration For Writers.