Comments on: Why Pen Names Suck & Can Make Us Crazy

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By: Double Identity – Pen Names – Susan Uhlig

Double Identity – Pen Names – Susan Uhlig — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 21:12:05 +0000

[…] Here’s a recent blog with the opinion of another author on pen names: Why Pen Names Suck & Can Make Us Crazy. […]

By: Anina

Anina — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:47:48 +0000

In reply to Author Kristen Lamb. I think that's the difference right. I may NOT want the people I knew or know to be a big fan because it may "out" me. Overall, I get the idea that there is a benefit in starting with your warm/closest network, but its not something everyone wants, which then I think is a good reason to go pseudo. A few people making the connection here and there isn't as scary as everyone who knows you now seeing you as "that person."

By: Author Kristen Lamb

Author Kristen Lamb — Mon, 23 May 2016 00:45:11 +0000

In reply to Sessha Batto. I disagree partially. When we don't use out given names, we limit how easy it is to activate the intimate networks. Believe it or not, those people who never said BOO to you in high school can be some of your biggest fans and mouthpieces. Facebook is really good for collecting these members of the intimate network. Relatives, people we went to school with or once worked with. I kid you not, I write social media books for authors and some of my most AVID fans who have bought my books and told people about me were the cheerleaders I didn't even know knew I existed. BUT they are now adults and THRILLED to say they know an author ;) .

By: Sessha Batto

Sessha Batto — Sun, 22 May 2016 12:31:00 +0000

I chose my name, it is the only one I use (except with the government and immediate family). So yes, it is a pen name, but no more difficult to achieve a brand with than the name I was born with. The key isn’t using your name, it is using one name. Realistically no one I know, or knew, was part of my target demographic. There is zero reason to use your given name, unless you like it. There are a million reasons to use one name for everything you write. It isn’t pen names that is the problem, it is multiple names.

By: Jessica Werner

Jessica Werner — Sun, 22 May 2016 04:34:31 +0000

Just recently I thought about using a pen name for upcoming children’s books, because I also want to write erotica, especially hardcore bandage. Yeah just like your example. But not to hide what I’m doing, but because kids could stumble over very inappropriate book covers while browsing books I wrote when they look my name up. All of your points make sense, but I wonder if they also apply in this scenario. What do you think?

By: Melisa

Melisa — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 05:58:19 +0000

In reply to Sean May. I am thinking on the same plane, Sean. A name is an identity. Unfortunately, we got into this world without the freedom to give ourselves the name we really want and carry the name we really want. Also, my reason for wanting to have a pen name is to separate my writing life from my private life. Why was Mark Twain so successful with his, I wonder.

By: Author Kristen Lamb

Author Kristen Lamb — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 13:53:01 +0000

In reply to Satish Avhad. YES. ;)

By: Satish Avhad

Satish Avhad — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 07:50:44 +0000

Having done an experiment, I can confirm that pen name sucked for me.

I had chosen a pen name for my book which I thought looked and sounded fabulous. After the book got published, I was not sure if I should continue using the pen name; as it was a lot of work. I felt split too, in my mind, having to keep multiple identities. But I wanted objective feedback from people who matter – the readers.

So, I created 2 author pages on Facebook, one with my real name and other with my pen name. Then, released simple identical advertisements for those pages on Facebook targeting people interested in reading for couple of days. I spent 4 dollars on the ads

I decided that if readers liked my pen name more than real name I should keep using the pen name.

To my surprise my real name got 3 times more positive feedback compared to my fabulous pen name !! Out of say 1000 readers 100 liked my real name author page, while 30 liked the ‘fabio’ pen name page.

I have discontinued using the pen name and am more at peace.

Thanks for sharing your perspective. One question I still have is, whether I should re-release the already published book with my real name.

By: Molly Sullivan

Molly Sullivan — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 05:13:51 +0000

The thing is, if I ever were to publish something, I think I would still use a pen name. I know that you have to build new platforms on social media, etc, etc, but I have a google plus account. That’s it. I never use social media, and besides promotion and publicity, I doubt I ever will. I’m aware of the privacy factor, but it would just be weird to see a published work under my actual name. I think using pen names is fine, as long as you accept that you can easily be traced back to your real name or face.