Is anyone else creating a new pen name?

[Lorri Moulton]

I have to admit, it's been kind of fun creating a new social media profile...but it does take a little time.

Part of this is for marketing my new story, but it's also to separate my paranormal suspense books from my sweet romance books.  I thought I was doing okay having them all under one name...until I got this latest chapter back on my audiobook. LOL

Who else is creating a pen name or already using one?  Or more than one?  Do you like it or is it more trouble than you expected?  Thanks in advance! 

[Kate Elizabeth]

I write under several different pen names.  One for spicy romance, one for sweet romance, one for experimental stuff, etc.  I'm going to come up with one for my fantasy work.  I like pen names, and most of mine are an open secret.

[lyndabelle]

I've got three now. So, I'm holding off on making more. That's about the limit I can handle. 

[ragdoll]

If I pick up a new one, I tend to leave the old ones behind (generally still pubbed, but otherwise unsupported). I don't think I will do social media for this new one. I sold more books when I didn't have all the things we're supposed to have -- probably because I spent a lot more time getting stories out. And I probably won't leave my current name completely behind because the back list money was decent in 2018 despite only have 4 new (and widely spaced) releases unsupported by ads, just small newsletter and release week FB posts.

Good luck with your new name!

[The Doctor]

I've got two pen names, plus my own name. I did have another pen name but haven't published anything under that name for a few years. Get the odd sale here and there.

[sandree]

I’m going to use a pen name for my first novel. One of the themes is homeopathy and energy healing. Homeopathy, especially, seems to draw out the ugly and the trolls on the internet and I don’t want anyone knowing who or where I am. I might be paranoid, but it feels safer to me.

[Lorri Moulton]

Thank you for the replies! 

I have the pen name up and it's doing well so far. 

[Writer]

I have 2 active. I'm a fan of pen names for a lot of reasons but privacy, branding, and creative freedom are the biggest. There's something very freeing about starting over with a fresh name once in awhile. There's no expectations, no pressure. You can keep it your own private secret or tell the world that the name is you. I like that. I don't write anything that I couldn't write openly if I wanted to, but I'll often keep the new name secret for awhile just because there's something delicious about it. Who doesn't love a secret? (Even one nobody else is really that excited to know anyway?)