I know. I'm all over the map. So, what I've been wondering is do I release these different genre under my name, which is already established as a fantasy writer, or do I release them under pen names? I know that some of my favorite authors have released different genres under different names, but eventually, it seems that they all end up feeding back to whatever name is the most popular.
I guess what it comes down to, especially in these days of social media, do we just write what we want to write and use one big brand name to cover it all? Do we establish different brands for each genre especially if they are vastly different? Is there no crossover? I know that I read many different genre so I believe that I would read something out of what I would consider the author's main genre just because I enjoy their writing and story telling.
There are so many questions, and I'm sure a ton of different ways to look at this situation. It's not something I have to decide right this moment as the other stories are still early on in the planning, plotting and writing stages. However, if I'm going to use a pen name -- the sooner you get that name out there the better, right?
My biggest fear is that I barely have enough time to attempt marketing with one name, what would I do with multiple pen names? I think I'm overwhelming myself. I definitely don't want to get swamped in social media overload -- at least not more so than I already am. Decisions, decisions -- I can see this debate lasting a while. Let me know what you think. Do you write in multiple genre? Do you write under multiple names?
I've written erotic romances and now I write YA spec-fic. I definitely used a pen name for the romances, knowing I would one day write books for teens. Don't want those genres getting mixed up. I would say, however, that if you're basically writing for the same audience, keep the same name. Half the profile building and sales work is done for you then :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca.
DeleteDefinitely keeping teen vs. adult content separate is a very good method of deciding what name to write under. I do believe that keeping sales work and profile building to a minimum will help to keep the writing flowing.
Hmm...this is such a tricky question for writers! I personally believe that as an author, especially if you're indie-published, it's important to market your name as much as your book. People get confused pretty easily. I mean, there are millions of authors. I do one name. 'Bridget Bowers' is super memorable - and if you have one good "brand," so to speak, people will remember it and buy your books.
ReplyDeleteBut I do write all kinds of genres! I only write under one name though. (but when I was in high school I worked under a ghost name, heh)
I appreciate your response, S.E. I can't believe you could keep much under any ghost name. LOL. I don't know how memorable "Bridget Bowers" is just yet, but I'm hoping it will stand out. Keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
DeleteBesides the examples above, the reason for pen names was so publishers could brand you and sell that brand. Their money didn't fund advertising for your other genres not sold by them, it went toward their product.
ReplyDeleteNow, there are so many people writing in many genres and they're doing fine. When people go to my website, they will see they have genres to choose from, not just a couple of books. And if they only like one genre, they don't seem to mind that other books are sitting on a shelf nearby. Some will read anything you write, though, when they fall in love with the voice as much as the story.
(I only altered my name because of complicated spelling that readers would have a hard time remembering. I picked the simplest version that still felt like it was me.)
Lesli Muir Lytle
w/a LL Muir
That's a great point, L.L.
DeleteThanks for sharing. I do believe that in this day and age more people are accustomed to writers who pen work in more than one genre. I think that having more to offer can't help but grab more fans. I agree that some will only read one genre, but you never know what someone might take a chance on if you give them the opportunity.
I'm back, LOL. :) I tagged you in something called the Lucky 7 Meme. You might like it! http://writingbelle.blogspot.com/2012/03/lucky-7-meme.html
ReplyDeleteOMG! It's happening again. I'm honored. Now, to decide which one to do!
DeleteI'm sure your romantic suspense contains romance and your paranormal fantasies most likely do as well. I would think those can go under your current name. However, if you're serious about continuing to write horror and not dark paranormal romances, I think you might want to consider keeping your no romance stuff "slightly" separate.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'd recommend is using your initials instead of Bridget so that readers who like your fantasies and romantic suspense can still easily find your horror stories if they want, but they'll know that anything you write under your initials will be grittier than what they are used to reading from you.
Just a suggestion, of course. What I think you want to do is make it easy for your readers to find everything you write, but avoid having a reader pick up a horror story thinking it will end with rainbows and kittens (only kidding, but you get the idea) when it doesn't. If all of your stories have HEAs, I'd think you could keep them under Bridget and allow your blurb and tag lines do the work for you.
Hope you have great success with your new ventures. Sounds exciting.
Those are some great tips, Kathryn. Thank you. When I got ready to release my first book I considered using my initials, so I don't think that would be too much of a stretch.
DeleteI do love happily ever afters that is for certain, but we'll have to see how the horror works out. I'm always surprised whenever I'm writing that nothing ends up the way I thought originally.
I write romance/erotica under Tamaria Soana. I have a teen series geared for 14-18 year olds I pen under Tara Len Walker.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to keep them separate for many reasons. But if you targeting the same audience I really think it would be just more work for the author.
Thanks, Tamaria.
DeleteIt does seem that keeping them under the same name would be the easiest when targeting a similar audience.