Question about "Pen names"

[lovecraft68]

Okay so starting the process of getting some of my work e-published. Now of most of the time erotica is written under a pen name usually for the obvious reason of not quite wanting everyone to know what you do. That is exactly my case as I am publishing an incest story and have a pair of elderly very religious parents and two daughters 21/18 (My stories are not daddy daughter please don't go there) so it's time for a pen name and I have a couple of questions for those of you who have done it.

I've been told erotica sells better under a female name not sure if that is true but was thinking of going with one because my well first off my ego doesn't mind and I have a good name picked out. Question is little things like on an authors page (which smashwords requires) I obviously can't post a pic, someone suggested a silhouette (maybe the wife) or even perusing the "stock art" sites. Is that acceptable to go that far and put up a completely bogus pic? or perhaps a symbol of some sort. Main question is with Lit. people who have followed my work and have corresponded with me do know me as a guy. will it matter? Do I have to now change the lit bio? My lit handle can work with the name I have picked. Also on an author's page is it okay to put the link to my Literotica story page? Mainly my question is does writing under the pen effect anything here.

 

[jeanne_d_artois]

If you want to create a female pen name for other stories, why not?

I'm Og's "other half" and it isn't a secret. I even have a female avatar.

<----

It shouldn't matter if you post a fake picture, but a cartoon one is probably better than pretending to post a picture of a real "you" as female.

Jeanne (when I'm not oggbashan)

 

[sr71plt]

I publish under a couple of female pen names (even here at Lit.). I just don't provide photographs. I don't provide them under my male pen names either. I don't acknowledge writing erotica in my public writing life.

I do think that writing under female pen names helps--and is almost required--in some genres. In others I write in, though, e.g., GM and action/adventure, I think male pen names are advantageous.

 

[lovecraft68]

If you want to create a female pen name for other stories, why not?

I'm Og's "other half" and it isn't a secret. I even have a female avatar.

<----

It shouldn't matter if you post a fake picture, but a cartoon one is probably better than pretending to post a picture of a real "you" as female.

Jeanne (when I'm not oggbashan)

A much more attractive avatar than the OG one I dare say. But is it okay to post a fictitious pic on an actual web site? This might be a dumb question but I just really don't know.

 

[lovecraft68]

I publish under a couple of female pen names (even here at Lit.). I just don't provide photographs. I don't provide them under my male pen names either. I don't acknowledge writing erotica in my public writing life.

I do think that writing under female pen names helps--and is almost required--in some genres. In others I write in, though, e.g., GM and action/adventure, I think male pen names are advantageous.

Right that is what I have been hearing and somehow I feel an incest story under a female name may seem a little less "disturbing" if under a female name. As always "Sir" thank you for chiming in.

 

[ProxyAccount]

It sounds like you're just adopting another pen name. It shouldn't matter too much, I think. Unless you're planning on writing a mainstream crossover story (one that is borderline erotica or has two versions: erotic and non-erotic), I wouldn't worry too much about keeping a completely separate identity from your Literotica moniker.

 

[sr71plt]

It sounds like you're just adopting another pen name. It shouldn't matter too much, I think. Unless you're planning on writing a mainstream crossover story (one that is borderline erotica or has two versions: erotic and non-erotic), I wouldn't worry too much about keeping a completely separate identity from your Literotica moniker.

I publish a few e-books under the habu name, which is mainly used for GM--in fact, one is launching in a couple of weeks that is a "I am woman, let me roar" anthology. I find, though, that these don't do as well under the habu name as the ones I publish with a different publisher under a female pen name. So, I think keeping separate genres under separate pen names is advantageous, and I'm increasinly compartmentalizing my names/genres. The main downside to doing that on Lit. is that you then have posters claim you only write one kind of story.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Florence King reports she published something like 50-60 fuck books before she became a popular writer. She used a male pen name.

 

[ProxyAccount]

I publish a few e-books under the habu name, which is mainly used for GM--in fact, one is launching in a couple of weeks that is a "I am woman, let me roar" anthology. I find, though, that these don't do as well under the habu name as the ones I publish with a different publisher under a female pen name. So, I think keeping separate genres under separate pen names is advantageous, and I'm increasinly compartmentalizing my names/genres. The main downside to doing that on Lit. is that you then have posters claim you only write one kind of story.

Lubrican is a writer that is having a number of non-incest erotic stories e-published under "Robert Lubrican", but doesn't conceal the fact that Beating Off Bob, Lubrican, and Robert Lubrican are one and the same. Using different pen names can be a way to, as you put, compartmentalize or associate your names with specific genres, or to 'restart' things. (Beating Off Bob was Lubrican's first pen name and is mostly associated with his uncle/niece stories.)

 

[lovecraft68]

Florence King reports she published something like 50-60 fuck books before she became a popular writer. She used a male pen name.

So finally a rumor there was truth to the female name works better. Well looks like Lovecraft68 will be having the operation and becoming "Laura Lovecraft" better get rid of the profile pic with all the tats.
Thank you everyone for your help and by the way JBJ like the new Avatar that nelson laugh has been stuck in my head for years

 

[ProxyAccount]

Huh? I'm not sure where you got that from. Florence King doesn't write erotica under her real name, she's more of an essayist, critic, and social commentator.

I think that your target audience tends to determines the relevance of gender. Think about it. If you're writing about something that is supposed to convey the viewpoint of women, then it might be easier to persuade a prospective reader to give you a try if you are a female. Think about Regency Romance novels. Not all of those writers are female, but if they wanted a shot at the audience, they adopted a female pen name, if only to placate publishers. The same with sci-fi novels targeting a male audience. A number of those masculine pen names were male, though it's not as much of a liability to be a female science fiction author these days, due to the trailblazing of a number of female authors. Remember, the trick only works once with a reader for whom it's an issue with. If he or she doesn't like your writing because you can't capture the perspective that you were trying to sell, then it doesn't matter what your gender your nom de plume is.

 

[ishtat]

So finally a rumor there was truth to the female name works better. Well looks like Lovecraft68 will be having the operation and becoming "Laura Lovecraft" better get rid of the profile pic with all the tats.
Thank you everyone for your help and by the way JBJ like the new Avatar that nelson laugh has been stuck in my head for years

Before you do that, remember to Google the name you propose to use. Chances are someone has already used it and it might at the least look as though you are taking "their" name.

There is at least one website which refers to an artist named Miss Lovecraft or Miss Laura Lovecraft. Of course if that's you there's nothing to be concerned about.

 

[vrosej10]

Before you do that, remember to Google the name you propose to use. Chances are someone has already used it and it might at the least look as though you are taking "their" name.

There is at least one website which refers to an artist named Miss Lovecraft or Miss Laura Lovecraft. Of course if that's you there's nothing to be concerned about.

I don't generally write under a pen name anywhere other than here. My real name unfortunately is unusual and popular with erotica writers. Similar names pop up like mushrooms on horse shit. I'm gunna have to come up with something good when I try to publish my book.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

PROXY ACCOUNT

I got the info about Florence King from her bio, CONFESSIONS OF A FAILED SOUTHERN LADY. She confirms she slept with married men, women, everyone. She isnt fond of lesbians, btw.

 

[ProxyAccount]

PROXY ACCOUNT

I got the info about Florence King from her bio, CONFESSIONS OF A FAILED SOUTHERN LADY. She confirms she slept with married men, women, everyone. She isnt fond of lesbians, btw.

I was replying to lovecraft68's comment that it somehow confirms that a female moniker is the way to go in order to sell erotica... when Ms. King used a male moniker for her adult stories. Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady isn't erotica. As for her perspective, I know that a good number of lesbians have a bad attitude towards bisexual women and a sort of 'gold star' snobbery towards any "lesbian" that has had or occasionally still has sex with men. So, some mutual antipathy isn't exactly unexpected.

 

[vrosej10]

Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady isn't erotica. As for her perspective, I know that a good number of lesbians have a bad attitude towards bisexual women and a sort of 'gold star' snobbery towards any "lesbian" that has had or occasionally still has sex with men. So, some mutual antipathy isn't exactly unexpected.

I'm bisexual; biphobia is common amongst lesbians in particular which is sad.

 

[ProxyAccount]

I'm bisexual; biphobia is common amongst lesbians in particular which is sad.

They should probably get a clue. Bisexual women outnumber lesbians. Studies, such as Diamond's longitudinal study, suggest that most self-declared lesbians are actually bisexuals that change their label to conform to their current partner. Deriding bisexuals doesn't make them 'better' lesbians.

 

[vrosej10]

They should probably get a clue. Bisexual women outnumber lesbians. Studies, such as Diamond's longitudinal study, suggest that most self-declared lesbians are actually bisexuals that change their label to conform to their current partner. Deriding bisexuals doesn't make them 'better' lesbians.

I think it is fear of being left for a man and I'd imagine a lot of lesbians don't label themselves as bi for fear of being constantly suspected of being unfaithful. I came after last year after about twenty years of faithful marriage. The first thing everyone thought (those who already hadn't figured it) was that I was going to cheat on my husband.

 

[lovecraft68]

Before you do that, remember to Google the name you propose to use. Chances are someone has already used it and it might at the least look as though you are taking "their" name.

There is at least one website which refers to an artist named Miss Lovecraft or Miss Laura Lovecraft. Of course if that's you there's nothing to be concerned about.

Hi I just went through last night and the name Lauralovecraft.com was available. It is possible to have a same name.If you google your own name other people have it. I did mine and apparently I am in the fortune 500. My wife has some explaing to do about how broke we are! Hopefully I won't have an issue. I also had a comic book store (yeah comics and a porn writer. I also have a sword collection, follow Anton Levay's teachings and have 10 tats FBI profilers? I am here!) but the stores name was Shadowland. I found out there was another out in the midwest and one that had recently closed just before I opened but we had no problems with anything legally.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

PROXY ACCOUNT

So right you are! Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady is not erotica, its autobiography. And I take it on faith that Florence wasnt lying her ass off about her porn writing and sexual appetites.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

LOVEBOAT

Imagine having a name like Jim Johnson.

 

[lovecraft68]

LOVEBOAT

Imagine having a name like Jim Johnson.

Hey aren't you the guy with the bad hair that used to coach the cowboys ?!?

I was amazed with how many "Krupka"s" were on the net Johnson has to be off the chart.

Loveboat huh? guess it beats Lovedingy

 

[Guest]

Question

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[favoritesgoddess]

I wouldn't use any variation of a famous author's name as a pen name. As a reader, when I see that, it says something to me about the personality of the writer and it's none of it is positive. My first thought would be, "This person thinks they're as talented as [insert author's name here] but not imaginative enough to come up with an original name, so it stands to reason that their book is probably a load of derivative crap as well." My second thought would then be, "Looks like someone's a fan of [insert author's name here]. Save it for your screen name, Champ."

It's kind of like when you say "Go ahead and ask me any question" and someone inevitably wants to know if 42 really is the answer. It's trying to be clever and original and it fails because in the end, no one really cares if you're a fan of The Hitchhiker's Guide or not. Paying homage with your pen name is the same thing to me.

 

[lovecraft68]

This question may cause riotous laughter, and if so, I'm happy to be the butt of the joke; but how in the world do you publish an incest story? I thought most publishers ran for the hills when it came to this particular genre or that they simply published these stories in house. If you do publish a story for money, should you post the same story on lit? Or can you even? I know that the author holds the copyright, and can do anything with a work that they want, but it would seem that the publisher would have some say in this. Please forgive naivete.

First part of the question is yes many publishers will not touch it. Smashwords is a distribution publisher it goes on their site and they will market it to other sites. Once they have it it's almost like it slips through, of course you have to stress the sex is 18 plus (ridiculous when you consider how much under age sex is in fiction) so it may not get as widely promoted as some things but there is a market remember this is an e-book, the incest crowd can buy it and hide it on their computer no one will see it in their house. As for making money vs Lit, when it is finished I will be putting the link on my authors page and billing this as the real story there will be a prologue that has not been seen and additional material honestly less sex cutting a lit mandatory sex scene out to further flesh out the characters. It's the version you haven't read deal. and for the whopping $4.99 it sells for it's not a major expense for the reader to see the full story when I am done I am also going ot be a bit of a jerk and pull a few chapters from lit. You want to read the whole story buy it.