by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I don’t watch much television, but I’ve always been interested in bios and documentaries on writers, musicians, and visual and performance artists.
So I was watching, with interest, a show called Metal Evolution on a music cable station (I know…but I was in high school when metal was big. :) ) Metallica had been a thrash band before coming out with the Black Album which had a more commercial, radio-friendly sound. It made a lot of their fans upset. But it brought them a lot of new fans…and some of those new fans became interested in metal because of it.
Ozzy Osbourne’s picture used to scare me to death as a kid in the 70s. The other kids in my elementary school would whisper about various gross things he’d done at concerts. He looked like the kind of monster I’d worry was in my closet at night. Then, in the late-80s, Ozzy had a chart-topping hit, Close My Eyes Forever, a ballad. Did it mean that I checked out more of Ozzy’s music after that? Sure it did. Were his fans upset that he’d sold out? Absolutely.
There are many examples of singers and songwriters who have wanted to explore new areas with their art (sometimes for commercial reasons, sometimes just to keep challenged.) Sometimes it works out and the artist has a crossover hit. Sometimes, it just doesn’t work at all.
The problem for recording artists is that they can’t (well, I guess they could, but it would be harder) record something completely different from their norm and have it be an anonymous effort. Their image is too closely woven into promo. They have to just put it out there and wait and see what their fan reaction turns out to be.
Not so for writers.
A writer who wants to try something completely different and expand a little? It’s easy. You just choose another name, create another online identity and promote under it. Maybe you want to write something more commercial. Maybe something more literary. Maybe you’ve gotten bored with what you’re writing and want more of a challenge. If you wanted, you could publish something fairly anonymously.
There are a few different ways for a published writer to approach a change of genre:
Pen name—This is least risky, I think.
For instance, right now I’ve got six cozy mysteries for sale and one upcoming release in June. They’re all the same subgenre of mystery. I’ve got the same type of style and voice, similar settings, and the same kind of humor in the books. What if I suddenly started writing science fiction under the same name? It would be tempting to write it under the name that’s better-known, that has a platform and some reader recognition. But then, unsuspecting readers who wanted more of the same could be disappointed…and might even think twice about buying new books from me again, if they feel they wasted their money or felt duped in some way. That’s because I’ve established a whole platform based around this particular type of book.
Write the new material under the same name: Some writers have decided to write their new genre under the same name, looking at it as an opportunity to bring some readers with them to a new genre. Or possibly to create a crossover book that will work for old readers as well as attract new ones.
Use a pen name, but associate the pen name with the author’s real name: Another option is to write the new material under a pen name, but attempt to link the pen name with the author’s real name. This wouldn’t dupe old readers into reading it, but they would still probably discover that you were writing something different—then they could choose to read it if they wanted to. You could have a Facebook page, for instance, that’s set up like this: “John Smith (Joe Roberts)”.”
The nice thing is that we have a choice. We don’t have to feel boxed into our genre. We can try new things—whether it’s under another name or not.
What would you do if you wanted to change genres as a writer? Hope your readers embraced your new genre? Write under a pen name and start off from scratch with your platform building?
Elizabeth – Really interesting question (as ever!). If I wanted to completely change genres I would probably use a pen name but link it with my real name. Some authors have done that with quite a lot of success. And I’d probably start with something at least somewhat related to what I write now. That way readers could see the direction my writing is taking.
I prefer the idea of connecting one’s pen name to a real name.
That’s so true.
I probably will have pen names but that I will eventually connect in some way to my real identity.
But I’ll see. First, I need to publish my first book. ^_^
I decided that when I released my non-romantic suspense mystery, that I’d continue using my own name. I figured they were closely enough related that I wouldn’t have to worry too much. Although my tag line, “romance with a twist–of mystery” doesn’t quite fit. However, I don’t think I’ll worry about it too much until I add more books to my mystery series.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I personally like the idea of using a pen name but connecting it to your other name, so that people know to expect something different but still know it’s you. To me, that seems like the best way to blend both worlds. I never thought about comparing it to music before, but you’re right, it is so much harder for musicians to switch genres!
I’ve been thinking about this. And right now I might do a variation on my name to signify the different genre.
Margot–So maybe a different mystery subgenre? I think that would be interesting. I wonder, though, would that possibly be even tougher for readers? If I wrote police procedurals and my readers expect amateur sleuths, would they call me on it?
Louise–It makes me feel a little sorry for musicians. I think in almost every other art, you can make drastic changes without potential ramification.
Chihuahua0–It takes a little extra work, but should result in greater exposure for the pen name, but few mistakes from readers who read the author’s previous genre.
Laura–I think that sounds like a great way to indicate a link but a difference.
Great article!
These are all things in which I’ve given much consideration. I like to write mystery, suspense, science fiction, and speculative fiction under my real name. I’ve had limited success, am working on two novels (one since 1990) under this name.
Last year I found myself with a novel I had no idea how to market. So, I created a pen name, and published the work independently. It’s been working pretty good, and I now write fantasy, paranormal, and erotica under a pen name.
I know some authors that have done just about everything you write about in your article. I know an author that uses a different pen name for each subgenre she writes in. Another writer used on pen name to build her platform, and then introduced a second pen name piggy-backed off the first.
I do like the options, and the flexibility we have as authors.
Thanks for posting on this topic. It’s one I have mused over for years! I like the idea of a pen name for different genres and I must admit, having no one know I’m the other name is tantalizing! Then again, I like the idea of having everyone know who I am, that I write under two (or three) names.
Happy Wednesday,
Jen
JL Stratton–Fantastic! Sounds like it’s worked out great for you. And the best thing is that you have this *freedom* to explore different genres.
I’ve got a pen name, of course, which my publisher requested me have for one series. So I’ve tried to link the two. In fact, under each post, it says “Elizabeth Spann Craig/Riley Adams.” My emails have both names on the tagline and I comment as both on blogs. It took some planning at first, but seems a little easier now.
Misha–Good luck with your book!
Terry–I think of you as romance and mystery, so wouldn’t be surprised to see you write either. That’s the nice thing about genre-blending.
Great stuff here. If I ever get far enough, I would like to be published (in MG and children’s areas) under TJ with my last name. This was my nickname in HS and I think it’s more kid friendly.
But in adult fiction, I use my first, maiden, married names.
That’s my plan.
T
Cool. You’re a metal girl >:)
I’m using a pen name for my fiction writing, and my blog. My real name is reserved for the science publications I write. This is kind of different genres that I definitely don’t want to mix
Cold As Heaven
If I switched genres it would be to fantasy and I don’t think that would freak out my fans too much.
Does Ozzy still scare you?
As a metalhead (and proud of it) I’ve noticed that many of those bands change their style for another reason – they grow up. They are no longer angry young men. They mellow. And so does their music. For some it works and for others it doesn’t.
It’s very interesting that you pose this question. I write crossover horror, pairing Christian themes and the best elements of “edge of your seat” horror. My first novel and the forthcoming sequel shoot for a PG-13 rating. My next project is ghosts, but in the back of my mind I have two projects that would be tear-jerking dramas…only. What you ask is something that I have been concerned about, if and when I get there. Truthfully, it could be a very big problem. I do think that it would be imperative to mark the lines clearly, so perhaps pen name would be the way to go.
We’ll see what happens.
-Jimmy
Seems like it would be easier to promote the new genre if you used the same name or a sort of “so-and-so writing as” tag.
I must admit I like the way Ruth Rendell writes traditional mysteries under her own name, and psychological thrillers under the name Barbara Vine, but I plan to write different subgenres under my own name. You could say I have already done so as my Danish debut is darker and far more serious than The Cosy Knave. Let´s see what my English readers think when they´ve had the opportunity to compare.
Jen–There’s definitely a comfort in anonymity, isn’t there? Knowing you could release a work and not have to say you were the one who wrote it almost makes it easier in a way…just not easier in regards to promo!
Cold As Heaven–Well, I *was*! Back in the day. :)
Oh, gosh, no you wouldn’t want to mix your work’s writings with your free-time writing! Particularly in the area you work in. I have a feeling it wouldn’t go over well.
Alex–
Ozzy does scare me, but for different reasons! Ha!
And we grow up, too, right along with them! I can really handle only mellow now. :)
Helen–I think you’re right.
Journaling Woman–And you bring up another point…the right pen names to *use!* It’s almost like coming up with character names.
James–A pen name would definitely be the very safest way to go. Promo is really the only pain! But, again, you could always mention on your main website that you also write in other genres under other names. Some readers will want to look up your other stuff.
Great post, Elizabeth. I agree–we have so many options now. What a blessing! All of my book ideas are in my genre at this time, but who knows what the future will bring? Have a fabulous weekend!