Pen name...

[Zeb_Carter]

I'm thinking of taking a pen name to publish on eXcessica, maybe.

I've come up with a list but am having a hard time deciding...


Ashton Leighton
Huntington Mallory
Clayton Hawk - or maybe this one
Saint James Du Page - kind of leaning toward this one
(Sin) (Gin)
Houston Spencer
James Mc Alistair
William Hathcock


what do you all think?

 

[GabrielDaemon]

I had a hell of a time coming up with a pen name myself. Even started a thread about it like you have, and invited responses.

When it came down to it, the name I use came to me as a revelation while talking to my lady love.

The one thing I've noticed is that a name you chose for yourself has even more meaning than the name your parents gave you. That, in and of itself, can be daunting.

Take a little time to figure out what writing, and which elements of writing, mean the most to you. Don't chose a name because you think it might sell (such as an ambiguous pair of initials before a typically middle-class surname, a la J.K. Rowling.) Besides, such names will turn readers off eventually.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

What's wrong with Sneed Hearn?

 

[_Lynn_]

I made such a list then mixed up the names a bit.

Mc Alistair Hawk
Clayton McAlistair
William Spencer

I kept going back to the same combination.
Then I Googled it to see what I found.

 

[buxxxom]

Of the choices listed, I like Clayton Hawk the best. Shortening the first name to Clay still sounds rather hot and all masculine like. Hawk, as men refer to each other with last names, is nice too.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Look at the names of successful writers for clues.

Generally speaking, readers prefer solid, traditional names NOT casual-lite names. And if youre name is Bunny or Casper or Shemeka, youre wise to use your initials.

 

[tickledkitty]

They all sound like romance novel heroes, and not in a good way. I think you should pick a more traditional name. Those all make it look like you're trying too hard.

 

[gauchecritic]

What tickled said.

It might be a good idea to google the name you eventually choose too.

 

[impressive]

The one thing I've noticed is that a name you chose for yourself has even more meaning than the name your parents gave you. That, in and of itself, can be daunting.

Agree.

Other things to keep in mind:

• Where you'll be when alphabetized. Lots of folks want to sit next to someone very popular, just like the cafeteria in high school.
• Google the name, just to make sure it doesn't belong to a serial killer or other somebody with whom you don't want to be associated.
• How will it look on a cover? Long names usually require smaller typeface, at least until you're popular enough to have your name bigger than your title.
• If you want to be taken seriously, don't choose a cutesy/stripper name or something that looks like a login ID. You're not Cher or Madonna... yet. ("Your shower shoes have fungus on them. You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes. Think classy, you'll be classy. If you win 20 in the show, you can let the fungus grow back and the press'll think you're colorful. Until you win 20 in the show, however, it means you are a slob.")
• Initials seem to sell well (e.g., J.D. Robb) and they obscure gender, provide an added layer of privacy -- if that matters to you.
• Practice signing it. Does it feel natural to write?

 

[Carnevil9]

Ashton Leighton
Huntington Mallory
Clayton Hawk - or maybe this one
Saint James Du Page - kind of leaning toward this one
(Sin) (Gin)
Houston Spencer
James Mc Alistair
William Hathcock

These all sound like signers of the Declaration of Independence!

Before anyone can give you advice (including yourself), you have to decide what you want the name to convey: mystery? sexiness? playfulness? otherworldliness? femininity? masculinity? erudition? inscrutability? a dangerous edge? You haven't told us your desired image, so we can't really opine.......Carney

 

[cloudy]

They all sound like romance novel heroes, and not in a good way. I think you should pick a more traditional name. Those all make it look like you're trying too hard.

I agree. I would pick something not so bodice-ripper-ish.

 

[BOSTONFICTIONWRITER]

What's wrong with your birth name?

Wouldn't you like to see your name, Zeb Carter in print. To me, I think that's a great name.

Maybe, you don't want others to know that you write erotica, but I'm proud of everything that I write.

I don't know, maybe I'm in a difference place in my life, but having people, friends and family, once they get over the shock of it, know that I write porn, I mean, erotica, they are all fine with it.

"So, how's Freddie doing? I haven't seen him in a while."

"Freddie? Oh, he's not well. No one sees him anymore. He's been locked up in his mansion for the past 19 months writing pornography."

"No way!"

"Yeah, we fear that he's gone over the edge."

By the way, Zeb, if you aren't going to use your name, Zeb Carter, may I use it?

(just kidding).

Congrats on another green E. Soon, you'll be up there with SR71 and Killermuffin. Only, you need to save some for the rest of us (lol).

 

[jomar]

What's wrong with Zeb Carter?

 

[MarshAlien]

I think "Carter" would be a great first name, actually.

Carter Frost.

 

[CeriseNoire]

Maybe, you don't want others to know that you write erotica, but I'm proud of everything that I write.

You always say that as if the only reason writers don't use their own names is shame. Is that seriously what you think?

Anyway, Zeb, imp's advice is really good. I had a friend ask me to sign her copy of the anthology I was published in, and realized Cerise didn't have a signature (all fixed now). So these are good details to think of once you've narrowed it down.

I do agree with jomar though. Zeb Carter is a nice strong name, so if it isn't your real one, why not use it?

 

[shereads]

Houston G. Problem

 

[Corylea]

I guess nobody here reads science fiction. Zeb Carter is the name of one of the principal characters in Robert Heinlein's The Number of the Beast. I'd be surprised if it were Zeb's real name, and even if it is, he probably doesn't want to be thought of as a fictional character himself.

I agree that the names you've chosen so far sound fake. You could try getting out the phone book and looking at the lists of names until you find a first name you like and a last name you like.

 

[drr_shahbaz]

Take a little time to figure out what writing, and which elements of writing, mean the most to you.

 

[Equinoxe]

They all sound like romance novel heroes, and not in a good way.

I have to agree with this.

For example:
Ashton Leighton and/or Huntingdon Mallory is a dashing man from a wealthy family. Educated and well-travelled, he is also the owner of a luxurious private yacht. He meets a pretty, young naïf who is taken by his charm and sophistication and he takes her on a sailing trip around the world—and then seduces her.

Houston Spencer and/or Clayton Hawk is a rough ranch-hand and no one would even think of crossing him. He has a softer side, though, and a bond with a wild horse no one else could tame. A young naïf finds herself drawn to him and he takes her on a horseback ride she'll never forget—and then seduces her.

 

[john-the-author]

I can't have my real name on my books for a number of reasons, one of which is certainly keeping this aspect of my writing safely distanced from my professional and personal life.

I agree with TickledKitty, too. All those names sound too cardboard cut-out and I actually don't like most of them even for that. Grab something a good deal more generic that doesn't have the sound of "Hi, I'm Rock Steele" said in a deep baritone voice.

Zeb Carter's a fine name if you're able to use that. And, IMO, avoid the image of a man with two/three first names: the surname should DEFINITELY be a surname.

 

[gauchecritic]

Well what about John Carter. Or Podkayne of Mars. Or John Johns. I know, I know: Ray Bradbury. An excellent name. But you should google that in case anyone famous is already using it.

 

[shereads]

Well what about John Carter. Or Podkayne of Mars. Or John Johns. I know, I know: Ray Bradbury. An excellent name. But you should google that in case anyone famous is already using it.

Brad Raybury.

 

[shereads]

I'm reading a book by Stephen King's son, who calls himself Joe Hill.

Or as his publisher refers to him in the teaser, "Stephen King's son, Joe Hill."

 

[Corylea]

You can also check your family tree for names; that might give you more of a sense of connection with the name than one you just make up.

For example, if I took my aunt's first name and my maternal grandmother's maiden name, that'd make Tracy Fisher. There's no one in my family who actually has that name, but it sounds like family to me.

 

[shereads]

Look at the names of successful writers for clues.

Generally speaking, readers prefer solid, traditional names NOT casual-lite names. And if youre name is Bunny or Casper or Shemeka, youre wise to use your initials.

I'd admire Bunny Shemeka's nerve, that's for sure.