Authors-Readers Connect discussion

Hello fellow authors,

Is anyone else using a pen name and struggling to get online reviews?

I had to use a pen name for my publication and cannot show my face which meant that I had to turn down 2 television interviews and book signings.

Then my social media had to get shut down so I have to be creative in my marketing strategies. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Lincee

I use my middle name, which nobody but the literary world knows. Everybody knows me by my first name, so I don't use that.

As for reviews, can we talk? It's like pulling teeth. I've had thousands of books downloaded but if you look at my statistics, you'd think they get barely any notice. I reach out to reviewers (which takes a lot of time at the computer), you hear nothing back. You hope the ones that read your work would take a second to review it--nothing. All one can do is to keep trying.

Maybe you could look at another author who has lots and lots of reviews and ask them for tips.

I'm sorry about your social media and those nice television interviews and signings, L.C. Hope you manage to get through this successfully.

Hello Groovy,
Thanks for your reply. Navigating this literary landscape is no easy feat. I thought writing the book was the hard part. Boy, was I wrong. I admire people who are much further ahead of me and am always looking for ways to learn and improve myself. I hope to meet more fellow authors who also used a pen name. Thanks for being the moderator of our group! : )

Thanks, L.C.

I'm just one of three moderators here. David is the main man, followed by J. And we have such a great group of Indie authors who are eager and willing to help with their experiences, good or bad. Join us on the "BOOK PROMOTIONS SITES" thread. That's where we mostly congregate and learn from one another. Any question you ask, will no doubt be answered.

I know I have learned so much that has helped me to understand the literary process, pitfalls, and what will work. Come on, we're waiting:)

Groovy wrote: "I use my middle name,..."

Groovy is a pretty cool middle name. 😄

I concur!

L.C. wrote: "Hello fellow authors,

Is anyone else using a pen name and struggling to get online reviews?

I had to use a pen name for my publication and cannot show my face which meant that I had to turn down ..."

I use a pen name and I don't like being in the spotlight so my profile pic is an avatar I drew.

Some might say that readers don't trust an author if they don't know what they look like, but its the words that really matter. That being said, I haven't have any subscribers ask.

Thanks, Leon and A.J. That is such a sweet thing to say. You caused a big smile to grow across my face, followed by blushing!

I'm still smiling--it won't go away--LOL!

I use several pseudonyms. I'm both a reporter and book writer. Editors tend to believe writers can only write one type of story so this way I get more work. Not one for the limelight either. Haven't noticed it having an effect on reviews. Most people don't know. I wear sunglasses in photos.

Leon, I'm the same way. I don't like being in the spotlight either. That's why I have an avatar. I feel that if readers knew what I really looked like, it would ruin the inner image they have of me and that would change their impressions of my work. I, too, feel it's the words that should matter.

It's not that I'm ugly--I don't think:) Michael Jackson liked me back in the day--LOL! I just know I'm the complete opposite of what others think I look like, whatever that is.

G.G. wrote: "I use several pseudonyms. I'm both a reporter and book writer. Editors tend to believe writers can only write one type of story so this way I get more work. Not one for the limelight either. Haven'..."

Hello G.G.
I totally understand. I use several pseudonyms also as I am in the entertainment industry and don't want my worlds to collide with my private life away from media and with my students. One time I had so many social media pages for all my businesses that I had a tough time keeping it all on track with so many names and wearing so many hats. Sometimes I forget which name to use too!
Right now I feel so relieved to have a break from social media as the author. Sometimes I miss life when it was much simpler before the internet. Nostalgia sets in and so I must eat some chocolate to reminince those days with some comfort. LOL : )

In case y'all haven't noticed, L.C. loves chocolate--LOL!

I still use my maiden name as my pen name. I wrote my first several books while still unmarried, so I decided not to change, because I write a series.

I go by my real name and put my photo all over the place. So far, nobody has targeted me for assassination. ;-)

(Apropos of nothing, that reminds me of a great line James Garner has in the movie My Fellow Americans: "I find that sad. The minute you're out of office they don't care enough about you to kill you anymore.")

I had book pirates come after me. Had to shut down my DMs on Goodreads and my blogs. I was really glad then I had used a pen name.

G.G. wrote: "I had book pirates come after me. Had to shut down my DMs on Goodreads and my blogs. I was really glad then I had used a pen name."

Arrrr, matey! Gimme all yer books! ;-)

(Sorry, I know the reality isn't funny, but I just had this silly image pop into my head...)