An Author by Any Other Name: Authors with Nom De Plumes

If a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, why shouldn’t the same be true for authors who have have another name? Somehow that is not always the case. Authors sometimes take on pen names or a nom de plume because they are writing in a genre that is different from their usual or because they want to see if they can succeed on literary merit, not just their name. Sometimes an author wants to appeal to a broader market and a name that does not give any indication of gender can help attract the greatest attention of readers.

Many 19th century female authors were forced to use pen names as they could not be published using their real names. Women had few rights at that time and it was not considered appropriate for a woman to write. Jane Austen was listed as “A Lady” and did not use a pen name. The Bronte sisters, Emily, and Charlotte published as Ellis Bell, and Currer Bell, respectively. George Eliot author of Silas Mariner http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2533445~S50 and many other works was better known as Mary Ann Evans.

Authors write under other names so they can write in a different genre and expand their market. One of the more recent and widely publicized cases was that of J.K. Rowling(of Harry Potter fame)  who wrote a noirish detective novel The Cuckoo’s Calling http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4619168~S50 under the name Robert Galbraith.

The trend has continued into the 20th century when female authors chose to use use their initials instead of their full name to have their works appeal to both male and female readers. I. J. Parker writer of the Sugawara Akitada mystery series is Ingrid J. Parker, http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3873410~S50, S.E. Hinton (The Outsiders http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3433120~S50) is really Susan Eloise, V.C. Andrews is really Virginia Andrews.

Authors make more consistent use of a pen name. Nora Roberts has written nearly 200 plus romance novels in her thirty three year long career. As her nom de plume J.D. Robb, she writes a popular series of mysteries set in future that features Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYPD. Eve is an intriguing heroine with a dark past, but a loving husband and good friends who support her. The stories are mystery/thrillers and the 38th volume Thankless in Death http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4633377~S50 was just published. Ironically, Roberts given name is Eleanor Marie Robertson. She changed it when she first began writing, because she thought all romance writers had pen names.

Another romance author who writes under another name is Jayne Castle, who writes a series of futuristic romances under her own name, but also writes as Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz. Amanda Quick novels are usually historical romances (love stories set in another time and place) though lately they have been moving in a more supernatural direction. Jayne Ann Krentz novels tend to be contemporary romance/suspense that also include a supernatural or psychic twist. Her works are consistently fun and entertaining reads.

Of particular note there is Marion Chesney, aka M.C. Beaton. Her true name is actually Marion McChesney. As Marion Chesney she wrote a number of charming light hearted romance  series set in Regency Era England (early 19th century). As M.C. Beaton she writes two different mystery series. One features Agatha Raisin, a retired PR person who relocates from London to the Cotswolds. Agatha ends up solving crimes while enjoying her retirement. Her other character is one Hamish Macbeth, who is the local police officer for his small Scottish village. Hamish is a good detective, but tends to constantly downplay his achievements and escape promotion. His adventure were turned into a television show starring Robert Carlyle http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3758210~S84