3 Questions to Ask About Using More than One Pen Name
A look at my new pen name and book cover reveal.
I recently wrote a Medium story about my accomplishments following the 2019 National Novel Writing Month challenge. In that story, I mention that I would be revealing the cover of my novella titled: “Tell Us the Mermaid Story” and I also implied there would be another revelation as well. Well here it is:
Okay, did you happen to notice anything about this beautiful cover? If you’re thinking: “Hey, the author doesn’t say Charm Baker,” you’re absolutely right.
I finally decided to debut a new pen name, so I’d like to introduce the debut fantasy author Beka R. March.
In case you’d like to know my thinking behind creating another pen name, please be sure to read about it in the following story, when you get a chance.
3 Questions
Creating a different pen name had been on my mind for a while, particularly because I didn’t want every single thing I write to be all lumped together, nor should it. In all honesty, I had a whole slew of questions about whether or not this was a good idea, but there were 3 in particular that I was concerned about dealing with. They were:
- Should I use a real photo of myself (in bio’s and profiles) or not?
- Should I identify my true identity (in bio’s and profiles), along with my new pen name?
- Should I associate any of my other writing or pen names with this one (in bio’s and profiles)?
What I decided about the question of whether or not to use a real photo of myself , is YES.
There is no reason I can currently think of, that would make me not want to be identified with this pseudonym.
If I were writing erotica, and also children’s books, then I could see a reason for concern, but that’s not the case, so I don’t feel it’s an issue.
I doubt my photo will confuse readers, especially since Beka’s persona is different from my usual Cham Baker appearance.
My answer to whether or not to show my true identity in Beka R. March bio’s and profiles is YES.
I came to this conclusion basically for the same reason as above. As long as Beka’s image and persona is consistent, it should be okay.
I doubt if any fantasy readers are going to be stumbling onto Charm Baker titles and getting confused.
Also, the bio on both the Beka R March website and the Charm Baker website clarifies things to the reader.
As for associating any of my other writing with any Beka R. March titles, my answer is NO.
I think it makes total sense to clear things up in the author bio or profile information. But other than that, I don’t feel the need to cite other titles anywhere else.
I believe I should stay focused when I’m promoting or marketing Beka R. March existing or pending titles.
Trying to piggyback off the Charm Baker pen name or titles might prove to be self-defeating.
Decide for Yourself
If there’s one thing I know for sure about this subject, it’s that every author must decide for themselves, what they choose to do about creating more than one pen name.
In the writer’s life, there are many things that are common to us all, but basically, when you get right down to it, every single decision is one you will have to make for yourself. GOOD LUCK
Thanks for choosing to read one of my Medium stories. Since the writing of this particular story, a lot has happened and I invite you to visit my Justiss Goode Medium profile and read some of my recent personal essays and miscellaneous life lessons that I know you will enjoy and benefit from.
