by Janis Patterson
As predictably as the seasons, every so often the writers'
eloops explode with The Great Pseudonym Question. Someone - usually a newbie -
asks whether or not they should use different names for different genres, have separate
websites and social media feeds, etc. The answers are all over the place, from
yes and no to certainly and most definitely not. And there are good reasons for
just about every answer.
My answer? A definite 'It depends...'
Whether or not to use a pseudonym is an intensely personal
decision, but it's not all about you. You have to think of your reader. If you
write middle grade fiction and hot erotic romance, I say you definitely need a
pseudonym, as well as separate websites and social media accounts! Your readers
are drawn from two vastly different populations. Can you just imagine what
would happen if your middle grade reader, anxious to learn about the new
adventures of your heroine Sweetie McNice as she navigates the politics of
Prettytown Summer Camp, picks up (on the basis of your author name) the new
book featuring Stormy McSexy who happily sets about seducing every guy in the
police department to try to get the attention of the new detective? It doesn't
bear thinking about - especially the reaction of the parents. You definitely
need a pseudonym there, for your protection if not the kiddos'!
I believe an author name is an essential part of branding. I
use pseudonyms to delineate my different books - none of which are overtly
sexy, except one. I was coerced into writing that by a former publisher, but by
today's standards it's pretty close to mainstream, so I leave it under my
romance name. (In the interest of full disclosure, I must say that when in
desperate need of quick money a couple of years ago I wrote a few full-blown
erotics. Needless to say, I used a pseudonym which shall remain forever known
only to me and God, and God better not tell anyone what it is, because I
certainly won't!)
As I bore easily I write in a variety of genres. I write
romance and horror (odd combination and a long story, but I believe the covers
will be guide enough for the reader) as Janis Susan May, traditional mysteries
as Janis Patterson, children's as Janis Susan Patterson and scholarly and
non-fiction as JSM Patterson. I make no secret that all of the above are me,
even to having just one website and one social media account. It just makes
things easier, which is great, as it leaves more time for writing. Which I
should be doing now.
So - everyone says your name is your brand, but to brand
efficiently - and to be fair to your readers - think carefully about whether
you need a pseudonym or not. It's your decision, but as I said above, you have
to think about your readers as well.
