Venturing Into Different Genres

In one of the comments on Wednesday's post, our guest blogger Tiffany Reisz said that she uses her real name to write and plans to cross genres and use her name for whatever she publishes.

Now many times when people write in different genres they write with different pen names. For instance, Nora Roberts writes romance under the Nora name and futuristic romantic suspense as JD Robb. There are a number of reasons to do this. Perhaps you don't want people judging your new genre by your old one. Or maybe you don't think the two fan bases should cross. For example, you write young adult and want to venture into erotic paranormals. Although I will say that a number of authors who write sexy (not erotic) adult romance also write YA--Gena Showalter, Richelle Mead, PC Cast, etc. and it seems to be fine.

I also think that some people do the different name thing because there is a mindset out there that once you're successful in a genre, you shouldn't switch your brand and confuse your readers. I understand that reasoning, but I also think it's limiting to a writer. Is every story in my head an erotic romance? No. They probably are all romantic in some way, but I haven't ruled out writing something paranormal or full out suspense or going back and writing another YA at some point. I like a lot of genres. Not every story I come up with is going to fit in the same box.

But is that a dangerous thing to do as an author? Build a fanbase who likes you for one type of book then switch and do something completely different? I don't know. As a reader, I tend to follow an author. In erotic romance (just like in YA) the subgenre lines are blurred a bit. So it's not uncommon to see an author put out a contemporary erotic romance, then a futuristic one, then a paranormal. But in the other more specific genres, it's not exactly that freewheeling. For instance, would you buy a Stephen King romance? Or a Nicholas Sparks space opera?

As a writer, I hope to continue writing the contemporary erotic series I sold the first two of. I definitely have a number of books in mind for that one. I also hope to sell Wanderlust (still under consideration at Harlequin) and write some sexy, non-erotic rockstar romances. But outside of that, I haven't ruled out venturing into other areas. I plan to use my current name for all of it--unless I write YA, then I'll probably use a different pen. (Don't want teens wandering into my definitely over-18-only erotic romances.) Mostly, I just hope to have this problem to face, lol, 'cause that means I've sold more books. : )

But how about you? Do you plan to stick to one genre as a writer? Do you plan to use one name if you do genre-hop or use different pens? And as a reader, do you follow authors or genres? Would it throw you off if your favorite author started writing something very different?

That's Not My Name: Pseudonyms

Photo by half alive

What do J.K. Rowling, Mark Twain, Amanda Quick, J.D. Robb, George Eliot, and Dr. Seuss all have in common?

They are all pen names.

In our fame hungry world, why are so many authors not using their real names? Isn't the dream to see our name scrawled across that book cover?

Well, maybe, but there are a lot of good reasons for going with a pen name instead of what's typed on your birth certificate. Here are a few:

1. Your parents were cruel and your name is just awful. Who wants to buy a book by Harry Butts?

2. Spelling or pronouncing your name requires a lesson.

3. You want to write in a genre whose readers are unconsciously gender-biased. (i.e. guy writing romance, woman writing political thriller).

4. You're already published in one genre (lucky you) and you want to write something completely different.

5. Your given name is Steve King or Lora Roberts and it’s just too close to another author’s.

6. Your write naughtiness and you don't want your mother or neighbors to know.

7. You can't pass up such a creative opportunity as coming up with a whole new name.

8. You're convinced your book is going to inspire stalkers.

9. Your name is common and boring.

10. You want all those bullies/ex-boyfriends/nemeses to KNOW what you’ve accomplished.

11. You're afraid your book is so freaking awesome that it will surely rocket you into uber fame and you just can't bear to lose your reclusive life.

I've discussed this before.  In fact, this is a modified post of one I did last year.  I even tried on a pen name for a while here on the blog--which ultimately didn't work out.  Picking a new name that you feel comfortable with is harder than it looks.

Most commenters at the time recommended I just stick with my real name, but now that I'm venturing into writing erotic romance,  I've come to the conclusion that a pseudonym will be in order.  Not because I'm embarrassed by what I write.  But there are many people who are judgmental of the genre and I'd rather not have the kiddo, my husband, family deal with that.  It also could be an issue when I return to the working world.  

So, most likely, if this newest WIP finds a publishing home, I will pick a new name.  However, if Harlequin buys Wanderlust, I will probably use my real name on that one (or maybe just pick a different last name).  We'll see.  Hopefully, I have to face that quandary.  :)

Now, if you're like me and are considering a pseudonym, what elements should you consider in picking that name?

1.  It's been said that what works best rolling off the tongue is a two-syllable first name and a one-syllable last name. 

2.  Make sure it's easy to spell and pronounce.

3.  Many recommend picking something earlier in the alphabet so you're shelved higher in the bookstore.  

4.  Consider in your genre who you would be shelved next to.

5.  Make sure another author doesn't have too similar of a name.

6.  Be wary of structures like St. Whatever as a last name.  Many workers don't know if it should be shelved under Sa for Saint or St for St.  You don't want your readers to have to struggle to find you.

7.  Please (especially if your write romance) do not pick something that could double as a stripper name.  Some of the names I've seen out there seriously give me pause--like if the author thought that pen name was a good idea, I worry their book is going to be just as cringe-worthy.)

8.  Make sure it's something you'll feel comfortable answering to if you're doing a book-signing or giving a workshop, etc.

9.  Don't make it so long that it's not going to fit on the book spine.

I'm sure there are others, but those are what come to mind.  See, not so easy to decide on one.

So what are your feelings on pen names?  Do you plan to use one?  Why or why not?  Do any of the above reasons apply to you?  And if you are already using a pen name, how did you decide what to pick?

**Today's Theme Song**

"That's Not My Name" - The Ting-Tings

(player in sidebar, take a listen)

You Never Even Called Me By My Name

What do J.K. Rowling, Mark Twain, Amanda Quick, J.D. Robb, George Eliot, and Dr. Seuss all have in common?

They are all pen names.

In our fame hungry world, why are so many authors not using their real names? Isn't the dream to see our name scrawled across that book cover?

Well, maybe, but there are a lot of good reasons for going with a pen name instead of what's typed on your birth certificate. Here are a few:

1. Your parents were cruel and your name is just awful. Who wants to buy a book by Harry Butts?

2. Spelling or pronouncing your name requires a lesson.

3. You want to write in a genre whose readers are unconsciously gender-biased. (i.e. guy writing romance, woman writing political thriller).

4. You're already published in one genre (lucky you) and you want to write something completely different.

5. Your given name is Steve King or Lora Roberts and its just too close to another authors.

6. Your write naughtiness and you don't want your mother or neighbors to know.

7. You can't pass up such a creative opportunity as coming up with a whole new name.

8. You're convinced your book is going to inspire stalkers.

9. Your name is common and boring.

10. You're afraid your book is so freaking awesome that it will surely rocket you into uber fame and you just can't bear to lose your reclusive life.

I've thought a lot about this. I am not immune to ego, so I can't say that seeing my own given name on a book doesn't hold a lot of appeal. With my YA, I never even considered the idea of a pen name. However, now that I've written a romance, I'm starting to think more about it. My story has a high degree of sensuality, not erotica, but pretty naughty.

So, although I'm not embarrassed by this, I do wonder if it could effect my life in some adverse way if I'm fortunate enough to get published. For instance, I have a teaching certificate. If I get hired to teach high school, I definitely don't want my students (or their parents) seeing their teacher's name on a sexy romance novel. Hello, awkward.

Also, if I decide to write both YA and romance, I wouldn't want the YA readers jumping over to the adult romances. So when I start submitting to romance publishers, I will probably include a pen name.

I haven't decided on what that might be yet. I could change my first name's spelling so that it looks more like it sounds: Ronni instead of Roni (which many people pronounce like Rice-a-Roni, which I hate). Or I could pick something completely different and unrelated to my name, which is fun to think about.

They need to come up with a pen name generator/formula like they have those formulas for your stripper name. (For those curious, the stripper formula is the name of your first pet plus the name of the street you grew up on. With that one, my name is Pumpkin Randolph. I definitely won't be using that one on a book, lol.)

So how about you? Do you plan to use a pen name? Why or why not? What would your pen name be? And for fun, what's your stripper name?

**Today's Theme Song**

"You Never Even Called Me By My Name" - David Allen Coe

(player in sidebar--make sure you listen until the last verse, great for a laugh)