Writing Question! (Branding)

[AnaKhouri]

I recently had an erotica story accepted to an anthology my friend is editing. It is very short (under 2000 words) and I wrote it in about 2 days. I only did it because she asked me to, as she thought having more published authors would make people more likely to buy it (it's a charity anthology).

My husband says he thinks I should publish it under a pseudonym. I am not ashamed of it, and don't see why I should. He thinks it will tarnish my 'brand'. For some reason he thinks I have a bright future as a YA author, and that having this tiny little M/M erotica tucked into an e-anthology will just shock and awe my future fans.

I don't feel that I have a 'brand'. I write mostly specfic, but all kinds: horror, SF, fantasy, even general interest and romance and yes, YA. I'm not Stephen King; I don't feel that my (tiny) audience associates me with any particular genre. I don't think parents who see a kid reading my (future) YA novel will Google me and be horrified that I once wrote an erotica story and burn my books.

So, my question is: if you found out that a favorite author had once written erotica, would you be surprised or shocked? Would their 'brand' be damaged somehow in your eyes? My husband can be a bit of a prude sometimes and I think this is what is really driving his assertions.

[dalesys]

Have you read much of Piers Anthony's non-Xanth stuff?

[ArcticChicken]

Hmm, it really depends on the author. If I found out that, say, Tamora Pierce wrote erotica I'd have to reboot my brain a few times, but I'd eventually get over it. I wouldn't read it to my kids, obviously, but that wouldn't stop me from reading them her other books. Actually, Tamora Pierce is the only beloved childhood author I'd have that reaction to, well, her and Brian Jacques. I don't think I'd even blink at the notion of the other authors I remember writing erotica.


Oh, great, now my brain is trying for Dr. Seuss erotica. Goddammit.

[Mytical]

Would normal, rational people, think differently of an author. No. However, I am afraid to say..there are those who would. On the up side..they might try boycotting your books, and the publicity might cause you to get very noticed and become very famous. Just keep in mind, it is like the nude photos of a Miss America. Should have nothing to do with anything, but yet..it can and does often.

[It's me]

Think of some kid (or his mother!) Googling your pen-name to find out about your books, and the search returns the erotica title....

[AnaKhouri]

See, I understand that argument, but I just don't think of myself as a YA writer. The novel I am working on could probably be classified as a YA novel, and my husband is working on an outline for a future YA novel we would write together. But the vast majority of my stuff is not kid-friendly. Would an erotica story be any more startling than a graphic horror story, or a story with a relatively graphic sex scene (though not erotica), or one involving incest or rape or infanticide? Because I have written all that too, and it is pretty readily available on the net and elsewhere.

I am just wondering if it is worth me losing any publicity I would get from the erotica story, on the assumption that someday I MAY be recognized as a YA author.

** Note: I don't always write rape and incest and infanticide, I write sweet and funny stories too, but I have written naughty stuff too. I don't think I can be easily put in a labeled box.

Dalesys- I am not a big Xanth fan (Oh God the puns!) but I read a couple Incarnations of Immortality, they were pretty good.

[PawnPrincess Ardra]

My mom is a pretty well-known author of erotica novels, novellas and has a lot of online stuff too.. she has ALWAYS advised the use of a pen name completely separate from any others you have used . There are several reasons for this - one being that using your real name or pen name for other genres can really bring out the crazies. She has had cyber-stalkers and the like, and even though she's a pretty private person IRL it made her very uneasy. Another reason is just what It's Me stated, you don't want a parent of a YA googling your pen name and coming up with something not so suitable for them to read. There are probably more reasons but my head is mushy with a cold and jet lag.

[Kristev]

Since I write professionally, as well, my advice is to take a pen name.

It's good protection. Myself, I've never done it yet. But that's because my work generally revolves around a rapidly-expanding world.

[Scorpodael]

Pornucopia by Piers Anthony. That is all.

[Chanlin]

Oh, great, now my brain is trying for Dr. Seuss erotica. Goddammit.

Not hard, just pretend Green Eggs and Ham isn't asking you about Green Eggs and Ham

On the question of the OP I don't think writing Erotica is that big of a deal. It's not like you are appearing naked on film or anything.

[Lindsey]

My husband says he thinks I should publish it under a pseudonym. I am not ashamed of it, and don't see why I should. He thinks it will tarnish my 'brand'. For some reason he thinks I have a bright future as a YA author, and that having this tiny little M/M erotica tucked into an e-anthology will just shock and awe my future fans.

Are you planning on publishing in any genre that isn't erotica, YA or not?

Many publishers won't take on an author who already has a reputation, however small, in a genre that doesn't reflect the work they're currently publishing. If you don't publish under a psuedonym now, you'll certainly have to do it later.

Check around the Absolute Write forums, they know their stuff and might be able to help you make this decision better than your husband could.

[AnaKhouri]

I already have around 20 short story publications, mostly spec fic. I have a novel I am currently revamping for possible e-book publication (I have a publisher on the hook for that) that is fantasy. I would probably be considered a speculative fiction author.

This is a single story, and I doubt I will ever write reams of erotica (I mostly did it for my friend) so I suppose using a pseudonym would not be a big deal. I suppose I mostly just feel resentful at being asked to deny something I wrote.

[Lindsey]

I already have around 20 short story publications, mostly spec fic. I have a novel I am currently revamping for possible e-book publication (I have a publisher on the hook for that) that is fantasy. I would probably be considered a speculative fiction author.

This is a single story, and I doubt I will ever write reams of erotica (I mostly did it for my friend) so I suppose using a pseudonym would not be a big deal. I suppose I mostly just feel resentful at being asked to deny something I wrote.

If you already have an established brand then one story out of the ordinary might not muck it up too badly. I also read your post earlier in this thread where you mentioned that you've written (and I'm assuming published) a bunch of stories that can't be easily labeled because they're all so different -- I missed that post when I wrote my first reply. In that case, you might be able to get away without using a psuedonym, since your brand is established and isn't exclusive to one genre.

I do agree that you should be cautious if you're planning on publishing YA later, but you can cross that bridge as you come to it. You could always create a psuedonym for the YA stuff if you really need to.

[NateTheChops]

Two of my favorite writers have or currently do write erotica. It doesn't change my feelings towards them or how much I enjoy their work. If anything I consider having a range of genres under your belt a good sign. It means you're not just a one trick pony who got lucky with a first publication and has decided to play it safe.

As for a pseudonym it's entirely up to you. Anne Rice published her Beauty series under the pen name Anne Roquelaure, but it's not like she's kept the fact a secret.

[NotAlBundy]

I've been pondering this question, as I feel I need to weigh in (being your best friend and all). I agree with Lindsey. If you want to publish YA later, then use a pseudonym for that. Proudly put your name on the erotica! Or, use your maiden name, if husband doesn't want his family name associated with it (joking, joking!)