tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post2728417752863939962..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Publishing with an eye for maintaining a private identityJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27741152206996669062017-03-20T00:53:22.678-04:002017-03-20T00:53:22.678-04:00Opie here!
Thanks to everyone for the responses a...Opie here!<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for the responses and helpful links, you've given me food for thought! To allay concerns: I don't have a stalker. There's one Horrid Ex I could see being a pain, but he could just as easily recognize me from a photo as anything else. The more likely avenue for my name trickling out: extended family blasting, "THIS IS MY XYZ!!" Or, of course, me happily telling everyone I know in real life what I'm writing, and it wending its way online from there.<br /><br />It's a topic I didn't give much thought to until I started having kids. Now I'm considering ways to give my family a little distance. I already talk too much about which county I live in on social media (and would love to be involved with my local genre bookshop's author events, if it becomes an option). A google search of "county + legal name" comes up with a dozen online address pages, and they update faster than you can opt out.<br /><br />I think I'm coming to the conclusion that a pen name protects against casual fan googling but not much else, unless I'm extremely committed. Hmmmm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-389412646114042172017-03-19T07:07:27.296-04:002017-03-19T07:07:27.296-04:00Donna: I forgot earlier to offer you congrats on t...Donna: I forgot earlier to offer you congrats on the book cover reveal. What exciting times for you. And a role model to get writing on that next book after we finish our first one. (Yup, I'm trying to become a debut writer. Someday.) <br /><br />And thank you to commenters, for the sympathy and the virtual hugs. I so appreciate this Reider Community. Reading the stirring-up of fathers' deaths and the poignant memories/feelings is such a powerful reminder of how all-important parents are in shaping the lives of their children. Such comfort here among you all.Lisa Bodenheimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17809067722921953857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-11870427067682341272017-03-19T05:29:23.412-04:002017-03-19T05:29:23.412-04:00I've had a web presence sine 1995. I've us...I've had a web presence sine 1995. I've used several pseudonyms. The last one was a flop when I moved from Italy to France. <br /><br />I was signing Figé. I chose because it was genderless and sounded international. In France figé means stuck. Stuck is not a good psuedo.<br /><br />After that I decided it was impossible to hide myself and also detrimental to my career. Detrimental because clients want to buy that personality behind the signature. They don't know that an artist is nothing more than a hermit. In their minds we're wild, absinthe drinkers, and if your a woman, loose. Elves paint your works and write your books.<br /><br />Stalking is creepy. Especially when your kids are involved. I keep my online presence as impersonal as possible. It's all about my work. Lately some politics have leaked in.<br /><br />Recently someone criticized me because my online bio didn't give them enough info about my personal life and therefore they had no empathy for me.<br /><br />But I'm not selling myself, I'm not running for office. I'm selling my creations. <br /><br /><br /><br />angie Brooksby-Arcangiolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08000615140577512304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25254694956691440852017-03-19T01:38:03.781-04:002017-03-19T01:38:03.781-04:00AJ Blythe is my pen name (I am an AJ, but changed ...AJ Blythe is my pen name (I am an AJ, but changed my surname). My online presence is in my pen name. I did it for a few reasons... to help protect my (and my family's) privacy, to separate myself from someone else with the same name (we live in the same town and have had previous issues with sharing the same name, and because of their job it could be awkward if people thought I was them) and separation from my day job (this one is more a 'just in case' because my day job changes often). <br /><br />Another reason was availability of domain/user names. I got great advice early on to check what came up when I googled my name, and to check what was available in terms of .com etc. That certainly helped with my decision to go with a pen name.<br /><br />I realise it isn't going to stop people from finding me if they want to (I am still going to use an author photo which will make it easier), but I hope it will makes things a little tougher to track me down.AJ Blythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04529233142099749005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48560805115249144952017-03-18T20:56:37.514-04:002017-03-18T20:56:37.514-04:00JD Horn, I am delighted to hear that. Not that you...JD Horn, I am delighted to hear that. Not that you've been feeling that way, that sucks, but that you're feeling inspired by something I wrote. Thanks for telling me. The most effective thing I've done is to put the writing first every day and leave the news for last. It is not easy, but it works. I have absolute faith that you can regain focus and get back to your writing. No doubt in my mind.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-79385275522943750052017-03-18T20:36:05.576-04:002017-03-18T20:36:05.576-04:00kdjames.com - Just read your "Creativity in t...kdjames.com - Just read your "Creativity in times of despair" entry on your blog. The issues you discuss there include many of the reasons for why--rather than writing--I've spent the last week bouncing back and forth between Twitter, Google News, Facebook, and for the last couple of days, this blog. You've inspired me to use the word count goal in Scrivener to try and get back on track. :)JD Hornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05538238148744690853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-49303838869422301852017-03-18T19:46:45.478-04:002017-03-18T19:46:45.478-04:00Oh, and Donna, congratulations on another gorgeous...Oh, and Donna, congratulations on another gorgeous cover! Kensington is doing a great job with them.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-50181048817456138352017-03-18T19:42:58.377-04:002017-03-18T19:42:58.377-04:00Lisa, I'm sorry for your loss. My dad died in ...Lisa, I'm sorry for your loss. My dad died in 1996 and I do still miss him, but the grief has eased. Sending virtual hugs your way.<br /><br />I use a pseudonym. It's not difficult or awkward. I decided to use one to separate work (where I was the responsible one in charge of all the money) and family (it's not their fault I like to make stuff up) from my writing. My kids are older now and better able to handle any attention that might come their way, but I still feel very protective of their privacy. I'm not online anywhere as my real name.<br /><br />As for being "open to the public," I am very open and honest on my blog, and anyone who reads it will feel like they know me quite well. Indeed, that's sort of the point. But I'm also very private about some things. I'm not worried about (internet) friends knowing my real name or where I live. Many of them do. But I've heard several stories over the years from more "famous" writers who have had some uncomfortable encounters with fans/strangers and I decided early on that layer of protection, however thin, was a good idea. And honestly, all you men who say it's not a big deal . . . it's different for women. Sadly, we're simply more vulnerable and more often targets.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-59909912606271292092017-03-18T19:41:53.471-04:002017-03-18T19:41:53.471-04:00lamandarin: Read the comments. There have been som...<b>lamandarin</b>: Read the comments. There have been some very good suggestions for why people may want to adopt a nom de plume. :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-8492005872391375142017-03-18T19:32:35.142-04:002017-03-18T19:32:35.142-04:00I can see that if people really want to find you t...I can see that if people really want to find you they will, but that begs the question what types of scenarios should make a writer want to consider one? I've always been curious about this.<br /><br />lamandarinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13816210610621918740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-1470716687838773462017-03-18T18:52:17.557-04:002017-03-18T18:52:17.557-04:00Lisa, my sympathies.
I use a pen name. I'm su...Lisa, my sympathies.<br /><br />I use a pen name. I'm sure anyone trying very hard could find my real name, but it makes me feel better to know if I happen to post on Facebook that I'm traveling, it would take more than three seconds for someone to check property records and find my home address to rob. <br /><br />I assume if I were at an event as an author, I'd check into a hotel under my real name but wear a nametag at the event with my author name. I opened a PO box under my real name but listed my pen name as an authorized user, and the mail clerk didn't seem to have a problem with that. So far, it hasn't been a particular inconvience.Beth Carpenterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02447148196867821907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26282465635446619732017-03-18T16:52:54.114-04:002017-03-18T16:52:54.114-04:00Melanie, I have a nest made out of cow thail hairs...<b>Melanie,</b> I have a nest made out of cow thail hairs and about the size of a wren's nest. It has a place of honor in my china cabinet and yes, I found it on the ground :) They're amazing little things!nightsmusichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05984119792540771870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-3164737190910205912017-03-18T16:29:43.683-04:002017-03-18T16:29:43.683-04:00I had to incorporate a while ago. That was done to...I had to incorporate a while ago. That was done to keep nasty people, and my first wife, out of my personal affairs. All of the devices I use are set up through that and my name is hard to find in it all.<br /><br />I will write under my own name. The only buzz it should generate is from that writing itself because the other half of me is far away from there and short on digital presence.<br /><br />Even if anyone makes the connection it will only lead to a bank account and P.O.Box. It was the easy way out once and it should still be working.<br /><br /><b>Donna</b>: Congratulations girl.Craig Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157301156577795781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-36200253038501426012017-03-18T16:15:47.771-04:002017-03-18T16:15:47.771-04:00Yikes. Just saw the post where someone said they a...Yikes. Just saw the post where someone said they are avoiding an active stalker. Didn't mean to sound flippant about that. But I do believe it's true that if you get published, you are leaving yourself open to the public. Even if you use a pseudonym, if you have enough success, someone will make an effort to peer behind the mask.JD Hornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05538238148744690853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-25538743361534901672017-03-18T16:03:22.585-04:002017-03-18T16:03:22.585-04:00Thanks for the insights, Jill Warner, Kathy Joyce ...Thanks for the insights, Jill Warner, Kathy Joyce and BJ Muntain!<br /><br />signed, <br />I.S. WenchInkStainedWenchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07248786662965579123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51209683619829603212017-03-18T15:59:59.920-04:002017-03-18T15:59:59.920-04:00I must say Donna doesn't need a pseudonym espe...I must say Donna doesn't need a pseudonym especially with a last name that has the magic three syllables.<br /><br />Most of my favorite authors have three-syllabled last names - Hemingway, Kingsolver, Kerouac, Isherwood, Capote and even Shakespeare (sounds like 3 syllables, yes?) <br /><br />And now, Everhart!Cecilia Ortiz Lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799056302050264129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22628562012348908582017-03-18T15:49:21.612-04:002017-03-18T15:49:21.612-04:00Lisa, all my sympathy. It never gets easy, but it...<b>Lisa</b>, all my sympathy. It never gets easy, but it does get easier. I'm still waking up expecting to get that next chapter from my father, but at least I'm working on a new project without--mostly--stopping every couple of sentences to think "Ha, Dad's gonna love that line!"<br /><br />On-topic: I'm using what's gotta be one of the most transparent pseudonyms in history. It's the nickname I've gone by since I was born. I could have gone with my legal name, but that's not who I think of myself as. Why would I want to see someone else's name on the book I sweated over?<br /><br />Do I have occasional qualms about it? Well, yeah. Especially given how open I am about my life--and how many pictures I post--on my blog. I don't always remember to strip out the GPS information from the photos, but even if I did, it wouldn't be hard to find me. And somebody, somewhere, is going to take offense at something I write. That's inevitable.<br /><br />But that's where the balance fell for me. If it causes trouble down the road, I'll deal with it. As Dad used to say--and still does in the back of my head--"One day at a time. Onward!"Casey Karphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10592351859886981726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-21216627087696939472017-03-18T15:40:51.858-04:002017-03-18T15:40:51.858-04:00And just in case anyone was worried... I'm not...And just in case anyone was worried... I'm not stealing nests from trees. I find them on the ground.Melanie Sue Bowleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820711791019410116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-70553316726425888702017-03-18T15:31:56.715-04:002017-03-18T15:31:56.715-04:00The best two pseudonyms I've come up with for ...The best two pseudonyms I've come up with for myself are Art Christie, or Tim Shinloc. I'm kinda partial to the latter, though I don't plan on using it. But you never know... :)Colin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03292997431935215499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-58538632192229879382017-03-18T15:29:53.076-04:002017-03-18T15:29:53.076-04:00All off topic:
Donna, Did you hear me scream with...All off topic:<br /><br /><b>Donna</b>, Did you hear me scream with delight? Congratulations on the beautiful cover. I love the way Kensington is "branding" you.<br /><br /><b>Dena</b>, Memoirs are my absolute favorite thing to read. I wasn't familiar with Hillbilly Elegy (or JD Vance). Thanks for the recommendation...I'll definitely purchase a copy.<br /><br />And, <b>Help!</b> I had recently mentioned the bird's nests I find here at the sanctuary made out of horse tail hair. Someone said they would love to see one, and I just found one. I would love to send it to that person (but can't remember who it was). I've searched through the last few days of comments so I can reach out to them directly... but no luck. Who are you, lovely person who wants to see one of these nests? (They really are spectacular).<br /><br /><b>Colin</b>, As I was reading through several days of comments I was, once again, struck by how hilarious you are. Witty, sharp, ironic, and clever. I hope whatever you're working on, it has a comedic flair. <br /><br /><b>Lisa</b>, Hugs to you. Like many here, I understand the heartbreak. Melanie Sue Bowleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820711791019410116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-63763458050929618632017-03-18T15:28:57.483-04:002017-03-18T15:28:57.483-04:00As one who has relished authorial recognition sinc...As one who has relished authorial recognition since elementary school (where my horror stories caused potential tormentors to think twice about harrassing me), I'm with Rosanna in letting the chips fall where they may. <br /><br />Side topic: I attended a book signing by former First Lady Roslyn Carter in Portland some years back, and have a signed copy of her book on mental illness. I was a bit cheeky in retrospect, and when my turn to step up came I said to her, channeling Ricardo Montalban, "You look marvelous." <br /><br />She smiled and signed the book, but the two secret service officers on either side of her wore expressions that pegged me as a troublemaker. <br /><br />I find myself wondering if, for such a high-profile client, Ms. Reid was present at the signing. Mark Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17262292085318047939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47108946335880403842017-03-18T15:18:40.680-04:002017-03-18T15:18:40.680-04:00I'm doing it. I'm going with a pseudonym. ...I'm doing it. I'm going with a pseudonym. I've been thinking about it for years, and I've been thinking about it especially frequently since the post on marketing earlier this week. Recently I ran the name past my little panel of people--those I count on to let me know if my ideas are too far out, etc., and to not bend the truth in an attempt to be kind. They mock when warranted (in a nice way--we laugh)and they're dear to me. While previous ideas for pseudonyms did not meet their approval, this one did.<br /><br />And I'm not going to say now what my new pseudonym is. :) It will be far more fun to wait to reveal it. <b>Donna</b>, thanks for that lesson--it's been exciting waiting for the reveals you've mentioned. Oh, this <i>is</i> fun!Amy Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05324408700941398495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-65875017320640271162017-03-18T15:12:04.340-04:002017-03-18T15:12:04.340-04:00I have never seen Colin and Felix at the same time...I have never seen Colin and Felix at the same time.<br /><br />Or, maybe I have!<br /><br />John Davis Frainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18020019400599228492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-88224932279580088292017-03-18T15:04:51.699-04:002017-03-18T15:04:51.699-04:00Colin,
That was funny!Colin,<br /><br />That was funny!Cecilia Ortiz Lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799056302050264129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23044812590506394912017-03-18T14:57:24.867-04:002017-03-18T14:57:24.867-04:00Lisa, hugs to you. I was a papa's girl so my f...Lisa, hugs to you. I was a papa's girl so my father's death five years ago was devastating especially as it happened while I was in another country.<br /><br />Author, she does as she pleases, <br /><br />I would think that sometimes a little notoriety in one's past can serve a writer well in the present. It can provide an interesting dimension to one's persona. <br /><br />When I love a writer's or an artist's work, I can forgive almost anything. Chet Baker's heroin addiction does not bother me when I swoon to his rendition of My Funny Valentine. There is no rule that says writers must have pristine personal and professional lives. The rule is that writers must write well.<br /><br />So if I go to your website and read comments by people who attack you for past actions, it might even intrigue me enough to google further. If your prose has the ability to transport me, you can do no wrong in my eyes.<br /><br />Also, methinks if you were able to evict people and deal with the fall out of a principal's bad business decisions, I'm pretty sure you can handle hecklers :)Cecilia Ortiz Lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799056302050264129noreply@blogger.com