Connecting Readers and Writers discussion

I keep seeing the recommendation that authors should brand themselves as a certain kind of writer: "fantasy stories about differently-abled characters," "YA author of real-world problems in fantasy settings," "horror author with heart," "literary," etc.

My problem isn't so much that I don't know what I like to write, but I don't know what my focus should be. I probably should have thought about this before I started releasing short stories and before I set the release date for my debut, but I digress. I like writing character-centric stories featuring strong, faulted, and quirky people who deal with real-world problems. I don't do fantasy (though I love me some Terry Brooks and George R.R. Martin). I do enjoy writing horror and gothic stories.

I don't want to go the multiple pen names for different genres route. Technically, I'm already writing under a pen name; Elizabeth Barone is my maiden name and I intend to keep writing under it after I get married next summer. (Also, I go by Liz. I'm weird.) Am I setting myself up for disaster? Is anyone else writing multiple genres under the same name? How should I brand myself?

Is this too many questions? (;

We have an imprint, Findley Family Video Publications, through which we publish issues nonfiction, Bible Study, Homeschool curriculum, Science Fiction and Historical Fiction, so far. All are under our own names except the latest one, which is a Steampunk SciFi/Fantasy featuring literary characters. I decided to write that series as Sophronia Belle Lyon because it was my grandmother's name, I love it, and I think it fits the period/genre. All that to say this: Your brand is the core of what you write, in our case a biblical worldview, speaking the truth in love, exalting Jesus Christ, teaching and delighting. Possibly we are somewhat inconsistent in our branding, but our blog (which has the theme of stuff you might not like but need to know) has around 1000 followers and we are selling books daily. So I wouldn't worry too much about branding. Write good stuff, be consistent about what you believe is important, and readers will figure you out. Best wishes!

I write the same genre under my name, Sonya M, and Maeven von Tripp

Mary wrote: "We have an imprint, Findley Family Video Publications, through which we publish issues nonfiction, Bible Study, Homeschool curriculum, Science Fiction and Historical Fiction, so far. All are under ..."

That is some sound advice, Mary. Thank you!

Sonya wrote: "I write the same genre under my name, Sonya M, and Maeven von Tripp"

So you have two pen names for the same genre? What sets them apart? Do you manage separate websites, etc. for each pen name?

Someone on Facebook gave me great advice today regarding this:

I think it's really only an issue if your genres are vastly different. Pushing out an urban fantasy and a high fantasy under the same name probably wouldn't throw people off; pushing out kiddy adventures and bloody spy thrillers and a couple of cosy mysteries might.

Here's the link to the original post if you want to see the full convo: http://www.facebook.com/elizabethbaro...

I publish under several pen names, but then I write erotica, heavy BDSM and non-con, m/m and also historical fiction, fluffy regency and YA. I think it's best to separate.

I write a series of suspense novels about a freelance assassin, and the stories are set in Amsterdam, so I decided to call it the Amsterdam Assassin Series... I think one of the most important things with branding is making sure that people understand what they're buying, so they won't write you complaining about the lack of Fantasy in your Science Fiction, or the lack of erotica in your suspense series.

I write young adult books. Of those, the genre (sub genre) may change from urban fantasy to paranormal romance to contemporary, but it's all young adult, so I write under my one name.

If I jumped to 'adult' I might choose a pen name, I don't know. James Patterson and J. K. Rowling didn't. I guess everyone's different.

I alternate between horror stories with comedic elements and comedy stories with horrific elements, which makes for an interesting branding challenge, since people only expecting one or the other tend to find the contrast jarring. Still, I'm fairly consistent in what I do, so I can write under my own name until such time as I go far enough from my comfort zone that it's a clearly different work...

Hi,

@Julie. I don't think you need to worry about a pen name until you feel your adult stuff isn't suitable to the kids reading you work now.

@Christopher. How are your 2 thrusts get tagged. I wondered that if I went searching for something approaching either genre would all of your work appear?

Orson Scott Card has written science-fiction, fantasy, and dystopian all under his name.
I plan to write in multiple genres and intend to use my real name for all of them. I don't want to lose the publicity gained from one series to the next just because their different genres.

Steven: Well, as of this moment I list it as horror, because it's primarily horror work, tongue in cheek or not, and the comedy is drawn from horror tropes. However, I'm not 100% sure this is correct, as I have occasionally received comments from people who hadn't expected what they got and took extra time to get into it. Something to puzzle through, I suppose...

Thanks, everyone. I'm too cross-eyed tired right now to respond, but I really appreciate your input!

I should add that, since posting this, I've decided to brand my writing as "drama with grit," which pretty much covers everything I write. Thoughts?

It's good in conversations with people about your work, though I don't know that it makes it clear what shelf to put you on in a bookstore. Nonetheless, I'd read a story described to me as that, so you can't be going too far wrong :)