tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post6494941748598980346..comments2023-11-02T06:57:11.400-04:00Comments on BookEnds Literary Agency: Gender-Hopping PseudonymsBookEnds, A Literary Agencyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06287278822065839469noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-6938530997972204402008-03-07T21:02:00.000-05:002008-03-07T21:02:00.000-05:00I'm sorry Travis...But I can't help it, but I don'...I'm sorry Travis...<BR/><BR/>But I can't help it, but I don't want to read romances or women's fiction written by a man. I don't feel that women are portrayed correctly by men, and sometimes I've even noticed books that felt off...I didn't bother to research them, but I suspected the use of a pseudonym. I've even been put off by some mainstream novels where women characters are written with far too much machismo.<BR/><BR/>So yeah, stick to the pseudonym and hope your readers can't tell!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-41355991922054987362008-03-02T16:23:00.000-05:002008-03-02T16:23:00.000-05:00As a man who has tried to find a home for several ...As a man who has tried to find a home for several women's fiction novels I know more about this subject that I ever thought I would.<BR/><BR/>I will say querying with only initials as oppsoed to my full masculine name, raised my "Interested-send me more rate" from about thirty percent to just over fifty.Travis Erwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09420879160702098979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-85157358720837819062008-03-02T09:24:00.000-05:002008-03-02T09:24:00.000-05:00I would only assume a pen name if I decided to wri...I would only assume a pen name if I decided to write a memoir and the chances of that happening are zilch.<BR/><BR/>I could care less about names on a cover unless they are so contrived it makes me wonder if the writing is so bad the author needed a gimmick.<BR/><BR/>The movie Don't Tell Her It's Me features a romance author with a poetic name. The no-nonsense reporter is positive the name is made up, but it really is her name. <BR/><BR/>I want people focusing on my writing, not wondering how long it took me to come up with the name I.C. Fingers for my zombie romantic mysteries.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-3847695521566178452008-03-02T09:22:00.000-05:002008-03-02T09:22:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-69948134703459110252008-03-02T08:24:00.000-05:002008-03-02T08:24:00.000-05:00Mmmm...interesting. I think names are important an...Mmmm...interesting. I think names are important and do help sell a book. The gender wouldn't put me off: I would read romantic fiction penned by a man, or military fiction by a women. However, I do think the name itself is a trigger in the selling process. I am a female and write horror/fantasy. I have chosen the name Akasha Savage as my pen-name, I feel that my real name, Debi Sands, doesn't lend itself comfortably to that genre.Akasha Savage.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13482147165827577180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-35180232671313306452008-03-01T19:28:00.000-05:002008-03-01T19:28:00.000-05:00I couldn't care less about a writer's gender if I ...I couldn't care less about a writer's gender if I enjoy the book, but I always wonder about the practical aspects of assuming not only a different name but a different gender. How would Alfred promote his romance novel? Attend the RWA conference in a dress? Hire a beautiful, romantic-looking young actress to do signings for him? What if his book became a runaway success and everybody wanted interviews with "Cassandra"? What if that beautiful young actress decided she wanted to actually *be* Cassandra and old Alfred was in her way? Good plot for a mystery -- but I think somebody's already written that story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-23559193801448597462008-03-01T00:36:00.000-05:002008-03-01T00:36:00.000-05:00zzCrapshooter, can you say without a trace of doub...zzCrapshooter, can you say without a trace of doubt the "male" writers you prefer are in fact male?<BR/><BR/>Years ago, there was an author by the name of VC Andrews. The majority of her audience was female. And there was no surprise to find out this initial-toting writer was female.<BR/><BR/>The interesting twist to this story is—no one knew she was DEAD.<BR/><BR/>After she passed away (1986), her family hired a ghostwriter to keep both her memory and her unique stories alive. (No unkindness intended, but I imagine the royalties didn’t hurt the cause either.) There were more VC Andrews books written after she died, than were written by her while alive. I’m not certain at what point it was announced she had passed away and a ghostwriter existed, but it was a solid stretch at any rate.<BR/><BR/>If our glorious industry can make millions of people believe someone is alive, rest assured they can make at least a hundred believe a woman is a man—or vice versa—and you might just be one of those hundred. <BR/><BR/>In addition, a man carried her legendary “female author” career forward through time. Kudos to her for bringing such fame to a name, and to him for having the capacity as a writer to keep her alive in the hearts of her fans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-83285384704711115252008-02-29T21:13:00.000-05:002008-02-29T21:13:00.000-05:00My first point I'd like to bring up is it isn't ne...My first point I'd like to bring up is it isn't necessary to utilize initials. There are also countless uni-sex names from which to choose, which again puts the reader into an "oops, my bad" scenario, and does offer more freedom to choose. Another option would be to make up a name. When I say my first and middle initial for instance, I hear an inventive opportunity in its sound, and have considered it as a possible flip.<BR/><BR/>If we are going to be expressive as writers, we might as well keep up the good name...maybe one that is so unique it will cause the reader to remember!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-85308467943138733022008-02-29T20:40:00.000-05:002008-02-29T20:40:00.000-05:00It makes a huge difference. I've yet to see a thri...It makes a huge difference. I've yet to see a thriller/action novel I like written by a woman.terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01745360291903716066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8444227039706272202008-02-29T19:10:00.000-05:002008-02-29T19:10:00.000-05:00Many years ago, my brother was horrified to learn ...Many years ago, my brother was horrified to learn Andre Norton was a woman. When she started writing, people believed no one would buy science fiction by a woman. Well, despite the revelation, my brother kept buying her books. The funny thing was, I'd been reading the books after him (I was maybe ten or eleven) and I assumed "Andre" was a female name because it seemed clear to me the author was female. In any case, an author's gender means nothing to me. I just want to read a good book.Elissa Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727748060605823895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-6143421206790968672008-02-29T18:29:00.000-05:002008-02-29T18:29:00.000-05:00I don't know if I'd be disapointed or not, but I k...I don't know if I'd be disapointed or not, but I know that the book signing would be a bit akward...Christine Careyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11341804703650310395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-3390456470213451452008-02-29T18:16:00.000-05:002008-02-29T18:16:00.000-05:00I think some people have misunderstood what I mean...I think some people have misunderstood what I meant by a man who understands women. I don't mean someone who can discuss fashion with me. I mean a man who can read women and knows what buttons to push to get the reaction he desires. The man who knows the hot spots. The man who can immediately sense or within a short time sense, what will drive a woman insane.<BR/><BR/>I once had a discussion with one of the three guys such as this I bounce ideas off. We were discussing a scene and I was floored by the emotional and even erotic aspects he tossed out. I think he probably understands what makes women tick better than women do. I told him he ought to be writing romance. He responded he has, he just really doesn't enjoy them. He'd rather practice than write about it.<BR/><BR/>When you find a talented, in more than one way, man like that who reads women and can go into a romantic scene with an understanding of what is going on with both partners, I would think that is magic.<BR/><BR/>I wish I understood men as well as these guys understand women. I would switch from fantasty with romantic undertones to romance with fantasy notes.Julie Weathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13725236516593676381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-68273906282710966242008-02-29T17:56:00.000-05:002008-02-29T17:56:00.000-05:00It wouldn't matter to me at all, but I do remember...It wouldn't matter to me at all, but I do remember an interview with P.D. James where she said she went with the initials because she didn't think Patricia James would be taken seriously as a mystery writer when she started. I believe JK Rowling echoed the same sentiments.Anne-Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960236584908811801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-16334745373243975332008-02-29T16:57:00.000-05:002008-02-29T16:57:00.000-05:00When I think of amazing romance novels, I think of...When I think of amazing romance novels, I think of Nicholas sparks, so no, I wouldn't be opposed to a man's name being on a romance!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12140468214545352325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-8897398852697460852008-02-29T16:55:00.000-05:002008-02-29T16:55:00.000-05:00To pen name or not to pen name--I debated with tha...To pen name or not to pen name--I debated with that question on the eve of my first book hitting the e-shelves. My real name doesn't slip trippingly from the tongue, so I took the initials route with a combination of my first and middle names. It wasn't to conceal my gender, especially since my picture is on my website.<BR/><BR/>The gender of an author is immaterial to me when I read a book. I'll give any author a try.<BR/><BR/>A.L.DebranAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36806915382346936602008-02-29T15:59:00.000-05:002008-02-29T15:59:00.000-05:00This reminds me of a story a friend who was a roma...This reminds me of a story a friend who was a romance editor a long time ago told me. She had a male writer who wrote under a female pen name. He/she was invited to do an interview, but didn't want to reveal his identity--or maybe the publisher didn't want him, too,I don't remember--so my friend, the editor, had to pretend to be him. As I say, this was a long time ago--maybe the early 80s.<BR/><BR/>I don't know any gender hopping authors personally, but one of my friends who writes under a pen name mentioned one interesting pitfall of pen names in general. At first when people at conferences or large book signings would call her by her "first" name, she wouldn't respond--she didn't realize they were talking to her. So the next friend who took a pen name, keep her first name the same, to avoid that confusion.<BR/><BR/>If I ever gender hop, I think I'll stick to initials. Signing a man's name would be a little too schizoid (sp?) for me.Sally MacKenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166303880685146915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-55176812291704412292008-02-29T14:34:00.000-05:002008-02-29T14:34:00.000-05:00It doesn't make any difference to me. When I'm rea...It doesn't make any difference to me. When I'm reading something new the gender of the author doesn't really register with me until I come across a scene or piece of dialogue that makes me think, sounds like a woman/man wrote this book. Then I check the name of the author to see if I'm right. Pseudonyms really throw a monkey wrench into the works but it's all fun.Linneahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13948858387319711099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-36711383811887354562008-02-29T14:27:00.000-05:002008-02-29T14:27:00.000-05:00hey he/she could always show up at booksignings in...hey he/she could always show up at booksignings in drag!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-19827700302844625102008-02-29T14:25:00.000-05:002008-02-29T14:25:00.000-05:00I have been surprised--and shocked, I guess--at th...I have been surprised--and shocked, I guess--at the number of times on listservs that I have heard--typically women--say, "I won't read a book written by a man." Or, "I won't read a book with a female main character if it's written by a man because men can't do it."<BR/><BR/>I haven't heard men say this, though I don't doubt it's true. So there probably are good reasons to put the gender-bending pseudonym on it, although it seems to me that the initials are a dead give-away.<BR/><BR/>J.K. Rowling<BR/>J.A. Jance<BR/>J.A. Konrath<BR/>J.A. Kerley (this one is new; Jack's early books have his name on them, but he notes that his British publisher is requesting the J.A.. Sure are a lot of J.A.'s there, which brings me to).<BR/><BR/>P.J. Parrish<BR/>P.J. Tracy<BR/>P.J. O'Rourke<BR/><BR/>To which I can only plead: if you're going to go this route, please, please avoid the initials PJ or JA.<BR/><BR/>Hmmm. J.K. Terry. Got a nice ring to it.Mark Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09410424046477699059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-20602802722590933182008-02-29T13:14:00.000-05:002008-02-29T13:14:00.000-05:00I suppose if the author was really worried about p...I suppose if the author was really worried about public image, he or she could simply use initials until the book is well established, then show up at the readings.<BR/><BR/>After all, Norah Roberts did just fine as J.D. Robb.<BR/><BR/>p.s. my husband said he'd go straight for the back cover to see what Candy Cane looks like.Sandra Cormierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231342310371529022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-32939954848644413402008-02-29T12:26:00.000-05:002008-02-29T12:26:00.000-05:00Based only on the people I've met and spoken with,...Based only on the people I've met and spoken with, men seem to have more trouble with it than women. I've met men who won't read books written by women, no matter what genre. A few of them seem proud of this, which is interesting, seeing as that bullheadedness isn't usually considered an accomplishment. <BR/><BR/>And I could see some women shying away from romances written by men. It's less familiar. Still, I think you could miss out on a lot of good books with either attitude.Angie Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05843918280581285622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-30219656828805929362008-02-29T12:16:00.000-05:002008-02-29T12:16:00.000-05:00It would certainly give a special little fillip to...It would certainly give a special little fillip to signings and public appearances. <BR/><BR/>Not to mention the author photo at the end of the book...Karen MacInerneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195077484544376761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-71043342375521359892008-02-29T11:37:00.000-05:002008-02-29T11:37:00.000-05:00Anon 10:18 thanks for that laugh!In the YA market ...Anon 10:18 thanks for that laugh!<BR/><BR/>In the YA market it actually does matter. Female authors that write "boy books" often use their initials and last name as opposed to putting a feminine name on a book cover.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-33323987061741517882008-02-29T11:35:00.001-05:002008-02-29T11:35:00.001-05:00I have to say that I look less at the name on a co...I have to say that I look less at the name on a cover than I did even a few years ago. Being visual, the cover snatches my attention first.<BR/>I read then the back cover blurb, deciding from there whether to buy.<BR/>Few exceptions, unless I hear that everyone dislikes a book, then I'm likely to read it and see why.<BR/><BR/>There are so many authors, and even the seasoned authors who have written in a particular romance genre for a long time are-- due to various demands-- changing genres, or blending genres in their romance writing. Some keep their names, and others choose a pen name.<BR/>As more blending of genres occur, the line of gender writing is becoming less and less distinct,IMO.<BR/><BR/>Like someone said-a good book is a good book, after all. If I'm going to spend hours at a B& N, likely I'm looking for a good story.<BR/>Now I will admit, that if I read a story marketed as 'romance'(sub-genre/elements or gender-hopping names notwithstanding) and it turns out without the HEA,(historical romance fiction based on real life- exempt) I might be a bit miffed. No, make that, I throw it against the wall.<BR/><BR/>Which I suppose is another topic, for another time-has the requirement for the HEA Happily ever after) changed in the romance genre?<BR/><BR/>Amanda McIntyreAmanda McIntyrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06301921471998752645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23051453.post-20866663574632917412008-02-29T11:35:00.000-05:002008-02-29T11:35:00.000-05:00I actually think it's interesting when an author i...I actually think it's interesting when an author is a surprise. I remember reading Brett Lott's "Jewel," specifically the part where the main character is describing first realizing she is pregnant. I remember being amazed -- even skeptical -- that a man had written it. I kept thinking, how did he know?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com