Getting back to the pseudonym question that I have been pondering for a while…
For some reason, this story has stayed with me – hidden in the deep recesses of my memory – as one of my “tid-bit interesting” stories relating to famous authors.
Stephen King was an English teacher before his books “took off.” Actually he worked many jobs, one of which was janitor at a school. Given his enormous writing talent, it was only a matter of time (and perseverance!) before his books became best sellers.
Once King’s books hit the best seller lists, he conducted an experiment. In the 1980s, he published several novels under the pseudonym “Richard Bachman.” He denied all rumors that Bachman’s writings were his. There was a phony author picture, and a phony author’s biography attached to the books. His Bachman books’ dedications were to Bachman’s significant loved ones, including Bachman’s loving wife. King deliberately distanced himself from the Bachman pseudonym. Apparently, King wanted to see if his “Stephen King” notoriety affected his book sales.
While Stephen King’s novels were all hitting the best sellers’ lists, his Richard Bachman novels did modestly well. One of his Richard Bachman novels sold 28,000 copies. When it was finally discovered that the Richard Bachman novels were actually Stephen King’s, that particular novel increased its sales by 10%! Stephen King had made an important discovery.
Name Brand, Name Recognition, Name Loyalty, Name Demand… call it what you will… There’s apparently a lot to be said about name recognition.
Pseudonyms may be nice, but it’s up to the loyal fans to track you down!
Victoria Hamilton says
I sometimes find pseudonyms confusing, if an author has several, but then acknowledges them on their website. I think occasionaly they defeat the purpose, which is to make the work distinct from their other writing.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I agree, Victoria. Let’s take an established Cozy Mystery author like M. C. Beaton. Would it help if her Agatha Raisin mystery series was published under that name and her Hamish Macbeth under another one? I personally don’t think that it would… I discovered Beaton through her Agatha series and that led me to then want to try her Hamish series.
Beaton also writes an Edwardian mystery (romance) series under another name (Marion Chesney). I would consider that a subgenre of the Cozy genre… which, to me, would explain the different name.
But, that’s just me…
Arlene says
Do you think it is a problem for authors when they write in a couple of different genres? For instance, if Jane Doe writes cozies, but also writes romance (or whatever) under a pseudonym is that something readers mind?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Arlene, I prefer authors using pseudonyms when they leave one genre and go to another. At least that way, the reader won’t have the illusion of his/her preferred genre when they buy/rent the book…
Arlene says
I agree with your assessment. I would be disapppointed if I purchased a book expecting it to be one thing and then finding out it was something altogether different.
Deb says
As one author explained to me, it isn’t the author’s choice to write a different series under another name. The publisher makes that decision.. The author may have gone with another publisher, or the publisher may have determined that a series under one name wasn’t successful, so they prefer a pseudonym.
The problem with this is if I like the writing style of a particular author I want to know everything she has written (in the same genre) because I most likely will enjoy her other books, too. If I don’t like the ‘other’ series – fine, at least I’ve had the opportunity to try it. However, I have found I almost always enjoy the other books by the same author.
I wish there was a list in each book of all books and the respective pseudonyms used by the author. Oftentimes this information isn’t even available on the web or at the author’s website. Occasionally there is a cross reference at fantasticfiction.
I really believe the author loses out this way. I’m sure they would create a larger fan base if the information was more readily available.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I had read that also, Deb. I cannot imagine a publisher telling John Grisham or James Patterson to take on a pseudonym!
I remember (years ago!!!) actually going to the library and getting out every book by an author to find the original copyright dates in each of the author’s books. (Not just for one author!) That was tedious! Instead of having the books listed in chronological order at the beginning of each book, the publishers would list some of the author’s books – out of order.
Arlene says
I know that in the romance genre, eons ago, the publisher owned the writer’s name so if she went to another publisher she couldn’t take her name. An example of that is Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle. She tells the story of using Jayne Castle but then moving to another publisher and having to rebuild her brand.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Arlene, now that a lot of publishers are dropping authors, my guess is that publishers are able to do that… and then some!!!… to authors who are lucky enough to be represented by a publishing house…
linda says
Danna, Another older posting that I thought I would comment on. Why do some books have two different authors on the front page? Along with James Patterson’s book “Toys” a Neil McMahon is also listed as the author . Who is really the author of this book? Does James Patterson really have anything to with writing this book or is this just a ploy by the publishers to get this writers’ books sold?
Also, at times two people will be, I think, actually writing a book. Which writer is writing which part? An example of this is the Christmas mystery series by Carol Higgins Clark and Mary Higgins Clark. Are both of these people actually writing the book?
Danna, I know that maybe you yourself might not have the answer to these questions but maybe some of the other people who respond to this blog of yours will.