That is the question according to good ol’ Shakespeare.
Ancient Barclay Hunting Tartan
I’m very proud of my Scottish ancestry. (Yes, I can claim Barclay.) I like saying I’m three-quarters Scottish and one-quarter Welsh, just to keep things interesting, and I have the family tree to prove it. I love my tartans, all three clans. The Barclay hunter tartan is a beautiful and subtle mix of blues and greens, which is appropriate when you consider a hunter needing to hide amongst the heather and broom of the Scottish moors. I wish I spoke with a Scottish brogue or could at least fake a decent one. That Man is worried I’ll never come home if I ever set foot upon Scottish soil — he’s probably right to worry about that.
Barclay Dress Tartan
Alter Ego. Pen Name.
Nom de Plume.
Pseudonym. Alias.
Yep, Raelyn Barclay is all of those.
(Yeah, I don’t know what they were thinking with those bumblebee colors either, LOL)
I got amazing advice from Joely Sue Burkhart, Maria Zannini, and Kait Nolan, friends and mentors. After a lengthy game of Pros and Cons, I decided Raelyn Barclay would be born. I’m a long way from publishing that first story. However, donning Raelyn Barclay has made me serious about this writing dream in a way I haven’t been before. I feel my writing has become a career instead of a hobby.
There are a lot of blog posts on the subject and whether an author should write under an assumed name. Most seem to advise sticking with your own name. The mentality that a pen name offers the author privacy is old school in this fast paced, online world. On the other hand, authors often take a different name for a new genre.
Modern Barclay Hunting Tartan
Writers: Do you think the old adage of different pen names for different genres still holds true?
Readers: If you are following an author, would you prefer they stick to one name? Or is branding different names important so you know what you’re getting when you see a certain name?
Apr 14, 2011 @ 05:39:05
I thought about selecting a new pen name for my contemporary work when I sold to Samhain, but my editor (Angie at the time), said in their experience, it was too much work to keep the promo up on both names. Plus you’re always fighting to keep/find readers under two different names. I think publishing has changed enough that more people are open to all kinds of stories from authors they really like. At least I hope that’s the case as I branch out into more genres!!
Apr 14, 2011 @ 05:53:56
I hope so too! I can’t imagine trying to promote more than one name. Thanks for stopping by Joely!
Apr 14, 2011 @ 06:42:58
I’m such a simple soul that remembering who is selling what under which genres is a Herculean task for me.
As it is, I have over a dozen friends whom I met through their pen names, only now I know their real names and I’m always afraid I’m going to use the wrong name on their blogs.
But I love the name Barclay. Very unique and memorable. When you’re famous enough, maybe you’ll just use it on its own.
Apr 14, 2011 @ 07:18:08
Thanks for stopping by Maria! Sorry I’ve added to your collection of mixed names. I’m not worried if you use my other name as I’m not trying to hide just create a curtain of privacy.
I don’t think I could pull off a Cher or Madonna single name status and Barclay is a pretty big clan
Apr 18, 2011 @ 15:28:30
Hi Raelyn! You said you wrote a post today, so I decided to check it out. This is a topic I too put much thought into. I need to keep my real name separate for good reason. It’s not just about privacy for me. My other name already has a following in my day job, and that career is much different from my current albeit serious hobby of becoming a paranormal romance author. I thought about using my real name because it does have such a following, but the audiences are much different.
As for writing under two names, I think that might be a bit too much work. The project I’m working on now is an adult series, but my big ongoing project is a young adult series. I’ve thought about changing my first name only in order to help readers understand the books written under “Stazia Charles” are not meant for the young adult audience, but I’m still debating that idea. I may decide to use my real name for the young adult series, actually. It’s on my list of things to think about.
Apr 18, 2011 @ 17:01:09
Thanks for stopping by Stazia! This wasn’t the post I Tweeted about, I’m only posting once a week right now, that one will go live this Thursday.
I’ve already decided having more than one pen name would be too much work. I also think readers are smart enough to be able to see the difference between say a paranormal romance geared to adults vs. a romantic suspense geared to YA, or whatever. There are authors out there pulling it off, if I cross genres I hope I’m one of them
Apr 18, 2011 @ 15:58:48
I LOVE the name. Interesting and pretty. And tartans?! You are so lucky.
Apr 18, 2011 @ 17:07:01
Thanks Liz! Glad you stopped by. I’ve got so many tartans in my family tree it could be an “oh my eyes!” moment if they were all put together, LOL.