Loose Change

Back when I was told to choose a pen name,  I picked something that had no connection with my real name (hence my staring off into space the first time someone used it – during a panel discussion at RT, if I recall correctly) and only my publisher’s strong intervention kept me from picking a last name that would have made me blush if used in public.  Yes, I can still blush.

I probably would have picked a much better name if I had it to do over again, but through the years I’ve gotten fond of my alter ego -- she’s a lot more fun than I am – and I’ve invested a lot of time and effort in the name.  For those who can invest an equal amount of time and effort in two or three or more pen names…Good on ya.  One other alternative personality is enough for me.

In my naiveté I originally figured pen names were primarily for privacy.  I have school-aged kids, I not so long ago had a second job where being known as the erotic romance author…or ANY author…was probably not the way to earn credibility, and it seemed like a good idea.  I’m not particularly reluctant to disclose my real name but, really, it’s not important to my work or my audience.  Most readers and authors know Treva and Treva is delighted to know them.  Even folks who do get to meet the boring me after meeting Treva tend to forget my real name.  It’s kind of sad, really.  I kept Treva as a publisher name because that’s how people know me in the writing and reading world.

I have no problem with legitimate use of pen names by people in the business.  The romance world  is small and the e-publishing world is even smaller and authors, editors, publishers, and reviewers have been known to take on many roles.

Remember, however, that every contract has a place for your real name, as well. If you’re going to write under more than one pen name – and this may be necessary if you’re writing in widely divergent genres – erotica and young adult for instance -- make sure to inform your publisher, and keep your contracts on the up and up. Falsifying a contract is not a great way to begin a relationship with your publisher, and it will come back to haunt you when the publisher files her returns with the IRS.

Save your effort to build up your pen name in a good way.  That’s work enough.

Treva Harte (who does remember to answer to that nowadays)