Sorry...what's your name again? - Bundaberg Regional Libraries

LITERATURE FEATURE
Lib News, v4 #2: May 2013-Oct 2013
http://library.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/heritage/libnews
sound like a thriller author, but
Sam Bourne does.
An author might think their name
sounds too young, or too old, for
the type of book they’re writing.
And a birth name which could be
seen as odd might detract from a
serious work. Or surnames might
lend themselves to double
entendres in a particular genre.
Teamwork
Some books are written by a duo,
or team of writers. To make it
easier for all involved, one name is
chosen to represent the team.
Early examples include Franklin W.
Dixon - several writers over time
penning the Hardy Boys books,
Carolyn Keene - a group of writers
writing the Nancy Drew mysteries,
and Ellery Queen - actually cousins
Frederic Dannay and Manfred Lee.
A current example is Nicci French
(husband and wife team Nicci
Gerard and Sean French).
Prolific output
Authors who just can’t stop writing
may choose to publish under
different names so their readers
don’t think they’re just churning
out formulaic drivel, or so their
writing doesn’t become
overexposed. For example,
Stephen King published several
books as Richard Bachman
because his publishers didn’t feel
the public would buy more than
one book a year by King.
Diversity of genres
If an author wishes to branch out
into a new genre, especially if
they’ve become well-known for
writing something else, they may
choose to publish these new stories
under a different name. It could be
a matter of not risking their
reputation (in case the new book
flops), or it may be that they don’t
wish to upset or disappoint their
readers - loyal Stephen King horror
fans may be a bit put out to pick
up his next novel and find it’s a
soppy romance.
Shelf space
Some authors pick pseudonyms
based on where upon the
bookstore shelves their books will
be placed. A surname beginning
with ‘A’ might not always be the
best bet - you might be too high on
the shelf for people to reach. Same
for ‘Z’ - too low and people won’t
bend down. Tania Carver’s (real
name: Martyn Waites) editor
wanted a surname beginning with
‘C’ - apparently shopper’s eyes are
drawn to the top of the second
bookshelf (usually the ‘C’s).
Helpfully, the name Carver also
suited the crime/thriller genre in
which the books are published.
Regency romance author Julia
Quinn was born Julie Cotler
(married name: Pottinger). She
reportedly chose ‘Quinn’ so it would
place her books on the shelf near
those of successful romance author
Amanda Quick.
Sales & Reviews
Obviously the name on the front
cover can have a significant effect
on both reviews and sales.
When J.K. Rowling published The
Casual Vacancy, her first book post
Harry Potter, the critics were
waiting with knives poised. The
Cuckoo’s Calling, published under