Hi, I’m Julie Kazimer, also known as J.A. Kazimer. Soon to be known as yet another name. Welcome to the world of publishing. Sometimes in this industry, a writer is forced or wants to create a new pen name, for a variety of reasons.
Some good.
Some terrible.
The good are easy enough. The author wants to write in a new genre, or play with a new series.
The terrible comes into play when sales have tanked the author’s name with a publisher. Or a variety of publishers. Sales slumps are hard enough, but when they come with killing an identity, it’s that much worse. This is more likely a problem for traditionally published authors, as indies don’t have to sweat a slump in the same way. The joys of being your own boss.
For me, I’ve decided to start writing and self-publishing a contemporary romance series that I’ve been kicking around for a while. It doesn’t fit my J.A. Kazimer writing style—hence the new name.
Which brings me to the point of my post: How the hell did I develop my first pen name?
Over the last seven years, I’ve forgotten how much work it was to assume a writer identity. There’s deciding on a genre-acceptable name, branding that name, and developing a fan base for said name. Not to mention writing the books and figuring out how to market the books/name.
Which brings me to the point of the post (yeah, yeah, I’m getting there): It’s important to think about these things before your first book is published.
Do you want people to know the pen name is yours? Do you want different names for different genres, even if you’ve never written in a different genre? How does the name you selected fit within the genre? How will you handle the connectivity between pen names? And on, and on.
Yep, just a few more things to consider while trying to write that book.
For those with more than one pen name, how did you handle developing a new one? Hit me with your pen names, either current or future, in the comments. I’m always interested in how and why someone picks one.
Very interesting. Thanks, Julie. Or whoever you’ll soon be called!
Thanks, Scott. I’m think of some exotic name like EL James or JK Rowling. I’m still kicking around ideas…
I’m pubbed under the pen name Shanen Black. It’s a contemporary romance gig I write with another author. I thought I’d put a lot into it, but find I don’t really have the brain to manage two separate personalities, so poor Shanen is totally neglected. I started building her a mailing list, had a website, did some takeovers and I couldn’t get into it. I picked the name because I thought it sounded contemporary and edgy and would appeal the readers in that genre. Turns out, I’m neither contemporary or edgy, more middle-aged and cranky. I felt like a poser and my heart couldn’t jump into the role.
What’s funny is, I thought about you as I was writing this and trying for a new name. About how you’re a phoenix. Shannon Baker always rises from the ash, whether in name or spirit. I had no idea you had a pen name. So are you still writing under the pen name? It sucks having to restart with anew name. Would be so much easier if it fit my style.
No pen name for me, unless you count calling myself Pat for the Frontier Fiction stories and Patricia for crime fiction. Pen names just seemed like another whole layer of work when it comes to social media identities, websites and blogs, etc.
I’m writing my first genre novel (mystery) and trying to decide whether to keep my real name (which has some recognition in my writing community and from publications), or change it. How would I decide a mystery genre-acceptable name? First and middle initial followed by last name? The problem with my last name is it’s double-barrelled (people often get it reversed) and the last part is typically misspelt. I’ve heard if you have a name with a low letter in the alphabet (in my case W), bookstores and libraries file you on the bottom shelves (less visibility). So lots to consider! I’m thinking of using my middle name (gender neutral) with one of the last names. Thanks for any tips.
Hi Sherry, congrats on writing your first mystery!
When I’m looking at titles or pen names, I use amazon, searching for mysteries that fit mine the closest, and see what other writers are using. For example, Merry McMurphy probably wouldn’t work for a international thriller about Africa. The name sounds much too happy.
Two important factors to me, are if I want a connection to my real name and my pen one. Jobs tend to frown on fiction writers. And spelling ease. Yep, your last name might present a problem for people trying to search for you. I haven’t heard the alphabet thing, but I guess it makes a little sense. Though shelving is different depending on space for every library and bookstore…
As for gender, my first book was under JA and now I regret agreeing to the neutrality because there is nothing wrong with being a woman writer and writing in any genre. Considering women make up 68 percent of readers, I’m not sure it matters anyway…
So, no, I really haven’t’ been helpful 🙂 sorry. Good luck on deciding.
I have 2 pen names at the moment. It will be 3, in addition to Lisa, by beginning of 2020. They are all very different genres, and I want them separate from my Lisa work.
They are more work,but one pen name is FB/IG/some Twitter only. No blog on the website. I blog monthly as Lisa, and will probably do the same for my last 2 names.
My reasons are purely business. I want to write different things, and I can’t do it under one name, sadly.
Libby Katz. Why? I was selling erotica and my husband was uncomfortable with my real name being out there.
I have a new series debuting from a new publisher in May. It is more fantasy intrigue than epic fantasy. New publisher (Tor) asked if I would consider a pen name – and I said OK. So I am now Cate Glass as well as Carol Berg. Glass is my mom’s family name and I thought it had a good fantasy feel. Cate was short and cool to go with. Fortunately it is an open pseudonym, meaning I can make sure my current readers will know it’s my work, as well as link Cate’s website and mine.
I have four pen names. One is non-fiction. One is rated X and is all erotic romance, erotic horror, and spicy paranormal romance. One is rated R and is all horror, thriller, urban fantasy, and supernatural mystery type stuff. One is rated PG13 and consists of sweet romance and epic fantasy. I don’t hide my pen names from one another. I use the pen names to make it easier for readers to find the books they want to read and skip the ones that aren’t their cup of tea. It works really well and I have readers who read across all my pen names, while others stick with one or two.