Agatha Christie ultimately became the acknowledged Queen of the Golden Age. In all, she wrote over 66 novels, numerous short stories and screenplays, and a series of romantic novels using the pen name Mary Westmacott.
I've been pondering over whether a Pen name would be something I should do. Literary history is littered with them. I was surprised to discover Agatha Christie had a pen name for a different genre'
Samuel L. Clemen's is certainly better known as Mark Twain.
My legal name gives people trouble, even after they've known me for awhile. It isn't that they forget me, they do tend to call me by my last name (which doubles for a more common girl's name).
It wouldn't do to have reader's looking for the wrong name only to come up empty handed. As a new author I need to be easy to remember and find. And while I'd be happy with selling enough copies to get me published again.. what if I sell more?
I'm not sure I like the thought of folks being able to find me, without invitation.
Everytime I bring the subject up with my mother she pitches a fit. Sigh, she's an old woman and I'm not inclined to upset her without good cause. My maiden name is as forgettable as toast, which brings me back to the beginning. What to do?
Have any of you entertained or intend to publish with a pen name? Why?
How would or did you go about making your pen name? What would your dream pen name be?
If you are opposed to a pen name, why?
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Comments: 385
Hi Jill.. welcome.
Sy, Pat welcome! I just waxed the dance floor so it should be smooth for all of your moves.
Lacey OMalley is great!.
I wanted to have a pen name, but you cant with non fiction, especially if your credentials are a plus to the book. But if I ever get serious about fiction, I will have to have a pen name. Any suggestions?
Pat, it already is next year. So I will expect the repeat pleasure as often as we like, in the coming days, weeks, months.
If I use my whole first name combined with my last, it sounds like I have a stutter. Say it out loud. Patricia Shaw. Ick.
Would never use first hubs name, and I loathe my maiden name. I'll probably just make something up out of whole cloth.
Deep cleansing breath.. in 1,2,3.. out 1,2,3 there you go m'dear.. sleep, sleep..
I'm not sure I'll make it to our New Year.. must stay awake for the kiss...DH that is.
Sy dance with me? Or are you tuckered out, it is 1:30 there.
Simon is a perfectly lovely name. Grant? Gardner? Gorgeous? Any would do.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy: JM Chapman
Medical Thriller: Jamie ....something (I'm not sure)...
And not so anxious to have them attached to what might be borderline erotica. Would hate someone to read a sensitive scene, look me up in the phone book, and think that person was me!
I do not take care in the bailo but perche Sy is tochando the culo of Pat?
OK, what the blazes is a culo?
Or a variation of my middle name Michele (which is spelled wrong on my birth certificate) I'm supposed to have 2 "L"s damn it!
And now I am officially punch drunk.
Pat: How about? Shawnequa Patricks (KIDDING!)
Of course most of the acquaintance's in my life call me Christy most of the time. I don't correct them any more; it's too much fun when they figure it out and fall all over themselves apologizing. So I can well imagine readers looking for Christy somebody at the bookstore.
My college transcripts went missing my Sophmore year. Some loving child of God, filled them under the last name, Wendy. It took weeks to find them, I was ready to scream. Shake my head.
(I am not sure that Stefano is a real Italian btw. Maybe second or third generation.)
I wanted to steal a variation of hubs first name, but Jeff Edwards is already using it.
Carry on everyone. Champagne is in the fridge (Of course it's from France.. Honestly.. only the best for Wombats.) Crystal stems in the cabinet next to said fridge.
Pat Shaw is a winner. Of course I know what two monosyllabic names can do. Many people after being introduced to me say "Sygarte what?"
Jamie Shaw, and Pat Chapman. Its brilliant they both work. I am a genius.
Wendy, lovely glasses and could someone pop the champagne open?
In US the e in Garte is silent, but in Italy it is Gart eh
Expanding on your theme of coincidental names, then it is logical that you become - (another stroke of genius here) PAT TERRY. Ta da!!
just like it looks.
Sy - guess what I watched for the first time last night? A classic. "La Strada." I'm going to name my second-born son Zampano'.
What a pair they'll be Leonardo Prosapio and Zampano' Prosapio.
Um Stefano, do you know what you actually said jsut now. If not I will tell you in an email.
;)
Ahhh Stephen - perhaps this is for why that people are always to calling me Zampano!?!?
Wendy, have you fallen asleep in my arms. Are did you just swoon away?
He said (the Italian part) I touch myself. So together with the Englsih section, I think we have a more than normally perverted Italian guy here. Go to bed Stefano and sleep it off.
Tu si 'acchiu bella cosa
ca tene stu paese,
tu si comm' a na rosa,
rosa... rosa maggese.
Sti ccarne prufumate
me metteno int' 'o corte
comme fosse l'essenza,
l'essenza 'e christ'ammore.
Stefano, all I can say is that if you make a mess, you clean it up.
Stefano? Here's a shovel dear. Start digging.. it is likely you will hit the Pacific before you are out of trouble.
Pat, dont bother trying Babel Fish with that. Its dialect.
And Stephen, if you hadn't said EWWW, I would have offered a dance.
I like Patricia Shaw.. but since you don't there is no point pushing it.
good bye beautifuls!
Especially to you Patricia Shaw!
He's okay with it now, but he still won't forgive me for it.