Dual pen names?

[RyanRizzler]

Hello,
I have submitted stories to other sites for some time. But I am pretty new to Literotica and its rules.
Is it permissible here to write under more than one pen name?
Thanks.

 

[TheLobster]

Yes. I believe @RejectReality does it (and admits to it), along with possibly many others who keep their names separate.

 

[RejectReality]

No issues with having multiple pen names. Right, Les?

 

[LesLumens]

Oh, quite true. Right Dark?

 

[Darkniciad]

Yep. No worries.

 

[RejectReality]

You have to understand that you're splitting your readership, and it's going to take every one of your pen names far longer to grow if you do. If I was going to give advice, I'd say keep everything under one name. The one exception would be if you want to write stories for Loving Wives, but also want to write other things and not have them dragged through the muck by the trolls that inhabit that category.

I started out writing fantasy erotica as Dark. As I branched out, I decided to create Les for the stories outside my fantasy world. Should have done it sooner by that logic, putting my Chain stories and LST3K tales under Les, but it was too late at that point. I created RR a few years later to see what kind of numbers I could pull with no name recognition from the other two, and as a place to dump ideas that didn't have much meat on the bone. Just setup and screw. Kept it secret for a few years, got the data I wanted, and officially folded RR into the collective.

When I say secret, I mean from everyone but Laurel. If you're going to enter themed contests using both pen names, you'll want to make sure Laurel knows they're both you for fairness sake. That way you don't accidentally end up taking two spots in the winner's circle — as unlikely as that might be.

If you're already established on other sites with multiple pen names, you can always consolidate here if you choose. One of the other sites where I post doesn't allow multiple pen names, so I'm just RR there. I mention in my bio that I write as Dark and Les as well, and just post everything under the one name.

 

[33RPMVinylPants]

Maybe one of the more experienced members knows: Is it better to have multiple pens if you plan on writing to a bunch of different kinks?

When I read a really good story, I'll go straight to the author's backlog for other stories with similar themes/kinks. It can be pretty disappointing sometimes to discover that the story I liked so much was actually just a standalone and the author usually writes in other categories. Usually dissuades me from following when I see that I wouldn't be getting more of the content that I like.

So is it better to make a new pen for each audience you want to cultivate, or should you keep it all in one place and risk alienating potential followers?

 

[RejectReality]

Maybe one of the more experienced members knows: Is it better to have multiple pens if you plan on writing to a bunch of different kinks?

When I read a really good story, I'll go straight to the author's backlog for other stories with similar themes/kinks. It can be pretty disappointing sometimes to discover that the story I liked so much was actually just a standalone and the author usually writes in other categories. Usually dissuades me from following when I see that I wouldn't be getting more of the content that I like.

So is it better to make a new pen for each audience you want to cultivate, or should you keep it all in one place and risk alienating potential followers?

As far as growing your pen name, you're better off sticking with one. People are going to get offended, turned off, or disappointed no matter what you do.

No matter how you slice it, you're going to grow faster with everything coming out under one name. The biggest driver of new readers ( beyond enjoyable stories, of course ) is production — getting your name out there regularly in front of new people. Splitting your production between multiple names stifles them all in that regard.

 

[RyanRizzler]

I appreciate the advice guys. And yes, I realize that if I was only writing one type of story and only from one point of view, it would be better to just use one pen name.
However, I have a book published under one pen name and don’t want that pen name associated with other unrelated stories.
Again, thanks for the replies and thoughts.

 

[Voboy]

Maybe one of the more experienced members knows: Is it better to have multiple pens if you plan on writing to a bunch of different kinks?

I believe it probably does, though I have nothing to back that up other than my own instincts. The reason I feel that way is because I search for stories in just the same way you do.

When I read a really good story, I'll go straight to the author's backlog for other stories with similar themes/kinks. It can be pretty disappointing sometimes to discover that the story I liked so much was actually just a standalone and the author usually writes in other categories.

This, I can relate to.

My own stories cover a bit of ground, but I don't generally do anything all that hardcore. I know those readers can be purists, where their preferred kinks are concerned. I did write one BDSM story once, as a present for a very good friend, and I loved it. The readers did not, mostly because there was a key trope that I missed... but also, I assume, because a number of them didn't know me, or my output. I assume there's a good deal of "brand loyalty" involved in what is probably a fairly small community here.

 

[lovecraft68]

I just right under this name. I've written a couple of romances here and when people comment "Can't wait to read the rest of your stories" I think, Oh, trust me, you can because I doubt they'll care for my I/T stories or the handful of LW stories or other material I have here.

People here are supposedly adults, they can see what category a story is in, and if they don't want to read my work because they don't like a category I have written in, whatever.

It's enough work keeping this name going.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

No matter how you slice it, you're going to grow faster with everything coming out under one name.

I can't consolidate myself into anything less than 1. Damn, I'll never grow! : P

 

[RyanRizzler]

As far as growing your pen name, you're better off sticking with one. People are going to get offended, turned off, or disappointed no matter what you do.

No matter how you slice it, you're going to grow faster with everything coming out under one name.

I respect you right to your opinion and appreciate you sharing your thoughts,
And I appreciate that you’re trying to help.
However, you don’t know my personal situation, so you don’t really have all of the facts in front of you.
I was already well aware that under normal conditions, you would want to group everything together to help develop more of a following. But this is an unusual case.
I’m not really at liberty to explain why, other than to say it involves anonymity and that I need to keep the two separate.
Thanks.

 

[Voboy]

I respect you right to your opinion and appreciate you sharing your thoughts,
And I appreciate that you’re trying to help.
However, you don’t know my personal situation, so you don’t really have all of the facts in front of you.
I was already well aware that under normal conditions, you would want to group everything together to help develop more of a following. But this is an unusual case.
I’m not really at liberty to explain why, other than to say it involves anonymity and that I need to keep the two separate.
Thanks.

Lol. He was replying to someone else's question.

You seem to have it all figured out. Good luck with your submissions, and welcome to Lit!

 

[RyanRizzler]

As far as growing your pen name, you're better off sticking with one. People are going to get offended, turned off, or disappointed no matter what you do.

No matter how you slice it, you're going to grow faster with everything coming out under one name.

I respect you right to your opinion and appreciate you sharing your thoughts,
And I appreciate that you’re trying to help.
However, you don’t know my personal situation, so you don’t really have all of the facts in front of you.
I was already well aware that under normal conditions, you would want to group everything together to help develop more of a following. No But this is an unusual case.
I’m not really at liberty to explain why, other than to say it involves anonymity and that I need to keep the two separate.
Thanks.

Lol. He was replying to someone else's question.

You seem to have it all figured out. Good luck with your submissions, and welcome to Lit!

I certainly don’t claim to have it all figured out, but I do just have some things I need to be cautious about and a second pen that would take care of that. Thanks.

 

[MadeleineSinha]

I wrote Dauphine under a different pen name (Cranegurl) as it had elements of non con & BDSM I hadn’t written before, it was, and remains the only story I’ve written with a non English main character and I felt it might alienate some of my followers.
After it had been up for a year or so I got over myself and got admin to transfer it to join the rest of my works.
I have another pen name that I keep for LW stories that I don’t want to get vindictive incels bombing everything else I write.
I published ‘Friends with benefits’ as Madeleine Sinha and had a couple of angry man children babies spamming everything with one votes and messages about what an awful writer I am and how they hoped I got cheated on (and worse) and dumped. I felt vindicated in keeping my other persona separate.

 

[Cagivagurl]

My opinion only.
When I read, and find something I like. It opens up a door to a new writer. I scroll through their list of works, and select ones that may interest me. A good author can lead me into categories I don't venture into. Then it is up to that writer to keep me entertained enough to stick with it....
I don't read in only one category, but there are several I never enter...
Back to my opinion, and that's all it is. I am no expert, and don't claim to be.

For me, if you are proud of what you wrote, then post under the one pen name. It makes it easier for readers like me... If you have material spread over several pen names, I'm gonna miss all of those...
My rule... Be proud of what you write, and post it. Who cares about the kinks involved. Good writing is good writing... Nothing you write will appeal to everybody, regardless of the quality...
My favourite writers have written some pretty squicky stuff that I don't read... I ignore those and focus on the ones I do...

Be brave, be proud and stand tall....

Cagivagurl

 

[sinfantasy]

I write under this penname only but i see the appeal for using another. My last entry in L/W earned me good number of followers but left a sour taste as my other stories got bombed. Lost red H on 6 of them overnight. It's even more disheartening when someone from L/W readership comments on you I/T story to enforce their views.

While another penname sounds like a good idea, I don't think it worth's the hassle. From another perspective, I refuse to be bound by readers views. No one is getting paid here to try and satisfy everyone. I would rather write what I like and let readers do their own thing. They are entitled to vote and comment, but I own the pen.

There is no full proof way to repel the trolls. They will find you no matter what.

 

[Cagivagurl]

I write under this penname only but i see the appeal for using another. My last entry in L/W earned me good number of followers but left a sour taste as my other stories got bombed. Lost red H on 6 of them overnight.
While another penname sounds like a good idea, I don't think it worth's the hassle. There is no full proof way to repel the trolls. They will find you no matter what.

It happens...
I've suffered that fate as well, but I wear those barbs...
I don't post stories for fame or fortune... I simply do it for fun... No expectations. It does hurt a little, when the Unibombers dump on a story they probably haven't even read...
You just gotta smile, and shrug it off.
We can't please everybody and the harder we try, the more of ourselves is lost in translation...
Cagivagurl

 

[RyanRizzler]

My opinion only.
When I read, and find something I like. It opens up a door to a new writer. I scroll through their list of works, and select ones that may interest me. A good author can lead me into categories I don't venture into. Then it is up to that writer to keep me entertained enough to stick with it....
I don't read in only one category, but there are several I never enter...
Back to my opinion, and that's all it is. I am no expert, and don't claim to be.

For me, if you are proud of what you wrote, then post under the one pen name. It makes it easier for readers like me... If you have material spread over several pen names, I'm gonna miss all of those...
My rule... Be proud of what you write, and post it. Who cares about the kinks involved. Good writing is good writing... Nothing you write will appeal to everybody, regardless of the quality...
My favourite writers have written some pretty squicky stuff that I don't read... I ignore those and focus on the ones I do...

Be brave, be proud and stand knowing any details.

I never said I was ashamed of anything I wrote. I simply need an anonymity and separation between one type of story and another.
Again, you’re giving advice and making assumptions without knowing any of the facts of the situation.
I just wanted to know if it was acceptable to use dual names on Literotica.
That’s all I asked for and all I needed.

 

[Trionyx]

I tried to set up another identity/penname several years ago but the second one kept being rejected. I assumed it was because from the same IP address.

 

[RejectReality]

I never said I was ashamed of anything I wrote. I simply need an anonymity and separation between one type of story and another.
Again, you’re giving advice and making assumptions without knowing any of the facts of the situation.
I just wanted to know if it was acceptable to use dual names on Literotica.
That’s all I asked for and all I needed.

Someone else asked about the pros and cons of multiple pen names with regards to writing in a wide variety of kinks. That's the nature of threads here. They're going to wander, and change focus. Your query is taken care of, so someone else is getting answers to a similar question.

You will need to use a different email to set up an alternate pen name. I assume since your stated goal is to isolate the one published work from any others, you would have done that anyway. I thought I'd cover the base for anyone else who might be wondering and comes across this thread while searching for answers.

 

[Cagivagurl]

I never said I was ashamed of anything I wrote. I simply need an anonymity and separation between one type of story and another.
Again, you’re giving advice and making assumptions without knowing any of the facts of the situation.
I just wanted to know if it was acceptable to use dual names on Literotica.
That’s all I asked for and all I needed.

Sorry, no intention to offend.
Simply offering an opinion on the facts presented...

 

[RyanRizzler]

I tried to set up another identity/penname several years ago but the second one kept being rejected. I assumed it was because from the same IP address.

Hey, thanks for the helpful input. I haven’t tried it yet, but we will probably do so in the next day or two.