In this video, we consider why you might think twice before publishing your writing using a pen name.
It’s much more than simply changing a name on the cover. You might risk alienating your existing readership if you’re an established author.
If you’re a new author, you might find that using a pen name also has some inconvenient elements. In an always-connected world where readers can research a person and information is always just a few keystrokes away, pen names might be more trouble than their worth. But that’s for you to decide.
I hope the considerations in this video help you in that process!
Hello, Jane Cleland here. The question is, are there any reasons to avoid using a pen name?
And yes, I think there are.
Number one, it’s inconvenient. People are gonna be calling you, “Hey Mary!” “Hey Pete!” And you’re gonna have to remember to answer to your new name because you’re using a pen name.Number two, you’re gonna have to build your readership all over again.
If you are an established author, you’re gonna have to do this. You might have been known as Mary or Pete, but readers picking up this new book aren’t going to recognize that it comes from you.
In crime fiction in particular, I will tell you, that leaders of traditional mysteries like mine also read thrillers and police procedurals and paranormal. So I had wondered if I write a thriller, should I use a new name? And it occurred to me, no. That’s just how are they gonna find me under the new name? It’s building the audience all over again. So that’s another consideration.
But if you’re a new author and you want to use pen name, maybe if you can get used to being called by the new name, then maybe there’s nothing wrong with that. But don’t alienate your current readers and make sure you’re prepared for the inconvenience.Whatever you decide, I know it’ll work for you.
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*Transcripts are software-generated. To report any transcription errors, please use my contact form!
