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I'm drafting a fictional novel (fantasy/ suspense) and in my process of research and networking I'm struggling with my name. I don't want to discourage readers with my Hispanic last name and that I am female. Should I do what J.K Rowling did? Should I use a pen name?
My full name is Sarah Ortega
I already know what pen name I would use. I just need help knowing if it would be necessary. Thank you!

I have struggled with this as well. I am currently working on a thriller/suspense novel and have tossed around the idea of a pen name. I've seen a few authors who eventually switched once their work gained recognition. I don't think your name would discourage readers for the reasons you have stated but that's just my opinion.

Kat wrote: "I have struggled with this as well. I am currently working on a thriller/suspense novel and have tossed around the idea of a pen name. I've seen a few authors who eventually switched once their wor..."

Thank you for the advice!

Sarah wrote: "Kat wrote: "I have struggled with this as well. I am currently working on a thriller/suspense novel and have tossed around the idea of a pen name. I've seen a few authors who eventually switched on..."

You're welcome! Thanks for the friend invite!

Sarah wrote: "I'm drafting a fictional novel (fantasy/ suspense) and in my process of research and networking I'm struggling with my name. I don't want to discourage readers with my Hispanic last name and that I..."

Go for the pen name. I'm planning to refine and re-introduce at least 10 of my books with a pen name, just to see what will happen.

I use a pen name because I have a professional identity that is separate from writing. If I ever get into a position where I can quit my day job, I might consider publishing under my legal name.

Get the pen name. There is a certain security in knowing people can't google your home address.

I have decided to use a pen name also, only because if it flops not everyone will know about it! :) I never even notice the authors's names when I look for a book. I am one of those people who bases my first decision to pick up a book because of cover artwork.

Celia wrote: "I have decided to use a pen name also, only because if it flops not everyone will know about it! :) I never even notice the authors's names when I look for a book. I am one of those people who ..."

That is a good point. I do the same thing. But, sometimes the authors name and the cover really do have to coexist.

Belle wrote: "Get the pen name. There is a certain security in knowing people can't google your home address."

Thanks for the feed back! I may be leaning towards using my own name. On wattapad I like to use the pen name.

Mary wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I'm drafting a fictional novel (fantasy/ suspense) and in my process of research and networking I'm struggling with my name. I don't want to discourage readers with my Hispanic last n..."

Thank you, Mary! What books have you written? I want to check them out :-)

Regina wrote: "I use a pen name because I have a professional identity that is separate from writing. If I ever get into a position where I can quit my day job, I might consider publishing under my legal name."

Ditto. Good luck all!

I'll be an author soon, but I'm debating whether or not make up a pen name. For safety reasons.

I personally am not fond of pen names because I get confused when I find out that an author I like for nonfiction has been writing fiction for twenty years as The Red Porpskillion, (okay that's ridiculous, but you see my point.) although in your case, it seems to be that you're concerned about whether or not your name would bias your buyers. I don't see how readers should be discouraged by reading a fantasy novel by a hispanic woman any more than reading one by, say, an eastern european man, but then again, some people do have these biases, as sad as it is. But I would still suggest that you use your real name, for two reasons: the first is that these types of reader biases will never go away if people bend to them, and the second is that none of your friends will believe you if your book becomes famous and your name isn't on it.

Besides, if someone won't read a book because they don't like the author's name, then they're looking for any excuse to criticise it, which might be something you want to avoid too much of anyway.

Personally, when looking at an author I don't really pay attention to what his/her nationality might or might not be, but that might be just me. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

I think a pen name should only be necessary if your name is hard to spell/pronounce/remember. In most cases I'd prefer a writer to just use their real name.

No one can get the spelling right on my first or last name. I'm going with the pen name because if I crash and burn on the novel I'm attempting to write, then no one will know it was me. :)

Idav wrote: "I personally am not fond of pen names because I get confused when I find out that an author I like for nonfiction has been writing fiction for twenty years as The Red Porpskillion, (okay that's rid..."

That's true. it's impossible to truly avoid bias. Thank you!

Celia wrote: "No one can get the spelling right on my first or last name. I'm going with the pen name because if I crash and burn on the novel I'm attempting to write, then no one will know it was me. :)"

Haha I agree! That's a nightmare outside of the writing world too. Thank you!

Lloyd wrote: "I think a pen name should only be necessary if your name is hard to spell/pronounce/remember. In most cases I'd prefer a writer to just use their real name."

Thanks for the input! I'm still mulling it over haha

Caitlin "Sparkie" wrote: "Personally, when looking at an author I don't really pay attention to what his/her nationality might or might not be, but that might be just me. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable."

I don't either, but I figure maybe the fantasy genre might of had a different appeal when it came to author names
Thanks for you opinion. I'm leaning toward using my real name.

Sarah wrote: "I'm drafting a fictional novel (fantasy/ suspense) and in my process of research and networking I'm struggling with my name. I don't want to discourage readers with my Hispanic last name and that I..."

If someone wouldn't read your book because you're Hispanic and a woman, then you don't want them to read it. That would be really stupid on their part.

I personally think you have a pretty cool name and would consider using it.

I personally think you're over thinking it. If you're not well known use you're name. And as far as using a pen name (someone said on here) to keep people from using Google to find your address, newsflash that isn't the only way someone can find out where you live. Having a pen name won't stop that from happening. We live in the technological age, no one has privacy any more. If they want to find you bad enough, they will. Ok I'm done.

I feel like pen names are cool, but in all seriousness, I wouldn't use them. These days, racism and sexism is an issue, but when it comes to writing it doesn't matter who you are. If people can't embrace you for who you are or judge you for your rage/gender instead of your writing are people you don't want as an audience. In fact, these days the amount of female authors versus male is enormous. It's not like the readers will be looking at your race, more like your writing. It's your decision.

I am thinking about using a pen name because my name is too long and hard to remember. Which name do you like the best?:

A.J. Nicole
Juliet A. Pierce
Zoe A. Pierce
Peyton Pierce

I like Juliet because it's different and not many other Juliet Pierces will have a book out there. Does there need to be an initial?

Haha. No there doesn't need to be an initial. So I'm thinking maybe Peyton or Juliet Pierce.