Multiple pen names–bane of your existence or necessity?

I pretty much read across genres and find it irritating when I have to hunt for one author with two or more names when I go to the bookstore. I mean, it’s usually pretty clear from the cover and back blurb what genre the book is. If it’s not my cup of tea, I don’t have to buy it.

I seem to be an exception more than rule in this regard though. Or maybe writer’s care less? Some readers seem to get all up in arms over crossing genres though, which is the pits. ‘Cause we all know at some point in our careers we’re going to stray from the genre that makes our names. How can you not? The market is a fluid thing.

I’ve just crossed a genre line I thought I never would and stated a historical. I’m enjoying it but it’s very different from my usual work. Oh, it’s still hot. I can’t seem to not write hot, but it is not my usual werewolf suspense type story. I don’t worry too much about my usually readers crossing over to try me in historical. Nope it’s the other way around. People who are primarily historical readers don’t seem to do a lot of crossover. So I’ve picked a new pen name for the new genre–Bella Whitfield. Love it, bought the domain, webspace, etc. The site will be coming soon.

But I’m wondering how y’all feel about the name dilemna? Do you write under more than one name? If you started a new genre that was very different would you?

4 Responses to “The Pen Name Merry Go Round”

1. Amie Stuart Says:
   February 22nd, 2007 at 6:09 pm

   I’m kind of torn on this. I was going to use a different name for my WF stuff but ultimately decided to go with the pen name I intend to use forever. I think it can be harder to build a following that way too.

2. Lyric Says:
   February 22nd, 2007 at 10:25 pm

   It doesn’t bother me so much. I’m going to read what I read regardless.

   I will probably pick one other pen name when I do YA because my two genres just don’t mix!

3. Shelli Stevens Says:
   February 23rd, 2007 at 4:35 pm

   I likely won’t pick another pen name until I sell to NY, and only then if my agent/editor recommends it. Unless I switch to a completely different genre.

4. Crystal Jordan Says:
   February 26th, 2007 at 3:21 pm

   I have two pen names. One I use for young adult novels and the other I use for romance. I figure romance is romance, and if they don’t want to buy my historical, shape shifters, futuristics, whatever–they won’t. But they WILL be able to find them, you know?