I need to pick a pen name... I also have author updates for you guys :-)
I need to pick a pen name. I've marketed my real name as an artist, musician and blogger but now I am diving into the author persona and it needs to be branded/marketed to a whole new industry and not cause cross-confusion. Besides, if I crash and burn as a writer I don't want to ruin the good will of my real name and current virtual holdings (LOL).
According to Wikipedia, "A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her writings, or for any of a number of reasons related to the marketing or aesthetic presentation of the work."
According to Men-With-Pens: "...it’s a very personal decision. It’s also a complex decision, not to be taken lightly, and it involves facets from psychology to perception to bias to stereotyping to privacy."
"Many choose pen names for marketing and branding reasons, like Grandma Mary or Kid Rock, and some people want to use pen names to separate association from a project, their job or business ventures, like Stephen King did with his pen name Richard Bachman and Garth Brooks did with Chris Gaines."
"And it’s often a good idea: A rose by any other name smells just as sweet, but a romance novel written by Desirée Denial is probably going to sell more than one written by Bertha Hump."
Hmm... (LOL)
So... I have a cool name which happens to be my real name: Tann Starr. The issue is to write or not to write books as C Tann Starr (sigh). Everyone I know is telling me not to do it and follow Kim Harrison's example (her real name is Dawn Cook). Since I am such a Kimaholic I am taking this suggestion very seriously. I asked my kids what they wanted their pen names to be and they said Stephen Noah. The illustrated children books are going under that name. The three of us are going to share it. They are very excited about that. They like being on a writing team.
KimHarrison.net
Kim Harrison is @BurningBunnies on Twitter
There is A Perfect Blood book tour in the works. I am a very happy camper and can't wait to get my hands on this book. I am so addicted to this yummy paranormal series... If you've been hanging at The Drama Box you might have discovered her Halloween Contest and the gorgeous pics from the United Kingdom Reissue Covers.
NINJA PEAS
One of my fave Tweople authors has launched a new website for fans to play on: http://ninjapeas.blogspot.com
I am a card carrying J-Heep so this is very exciting because we're not just playing on Facebook and Twitter anymore (evil grin). Jeannie is mad fun so do go follow her and checkout the Ninja Peas on blogspot. I bet you learn something cool and new. :-)
Guess who just launched her brand new Facebook author page? The fabulous Sabrina Benulis! Go "Like" my newest social media gal pal and give her a warm hello. I have an advanced copy of her book and it is a great read. You may want to pre-order that puppy. Just sayin... ;-)
Disclaimer: Any comments and contributions provided on ActiveRain.com (or other electronic or print media) does not establish an agency relationship with any third party. Blog posts are intended to be informational only. Please be advised that real estate practices vary in regions and from state to state and market to market. The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice. All parties in need of legal, accounting, tax, or real estate guidance are directed to consult with the licensed professional of their choice. Please seek specific guidance from a retained professional in the specific field(s) required to service your interests. I and/or team blog writers make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site and its associated sites inclusive of but not limited to CarolynTannStarr.com MySpace/TannStarr 46486 NY Working Moms Examiner ActiveRain Group Club Chaos ClubChaosAgents.com CyberMinions.net CTannStarr Outside Blog CTannStarr Localism Blog TannStarr.net UberMental.com
© Carolyn Tann-Starr, 2008-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the re-blog authors (when appropriate)and Carolyn Tann-Starr is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carolyn Tann-Starr, (the re-blog authors when appropriate) and Wordy C's Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Kim Harrison Vicki Pettersson Jocelynn Drake Jaye Wells Amy DeZellar Lynn Rush Jeannie Holmes
Kendall Grey Jeaniene Frost Faith Hunter Stacia Kane Sherry Soule
Alicia Anderson: Touched By People Places and Things
Felix Lipov, Official Photographer, Ambassadors of Chaos
I was thinking "C-Pen" as in Seeee Pen as in Seepen as your words start seepen into the hearts of your readers.
Larry, very cool.
Hi C - You don't need a pen name. I've listened to your music, seen some artwork and read your blogs - at least the ones here on AR. I seriously doubt that you'll need any kind of disguise for your writing output.
Dick, eventually being an author has me nervous and excited. My writing buddies have explained that if I write for more than one publishing house I will need pen names for each contract because separate publishing series are separate bodies of work. The graphic novels may find home A, the childrens books home B and the adult books home C.
Illustrating with the kids is cool because the author would be Stephen Noah and the Illustrator C Tann Starr. It's the other mischief I'm cooking up that has me pausing over my cereal bowl (LOL).
C - "a rose by any other name...."... is still you.
Perhaps we are all Knick-named - "Flash"... as that is our destiny
(I pray my good deeds go unpunished)
Keep up the good . Fun to read the original C Tann Starr
Claude, I've gotten a lot of DM mail asking me to keep my name. I just may do so... Seems my readers prefer to keep reading me as me (LOL). :-)