Menu
Menu
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: Bill wants to write and create social media platforms under a pen name. Simone asks about different publishing options for her parenting book.
Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at podcast [at] writerscentre [dot] com [dot] au
Click play below to listen to the podcast. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher Radio. Or add the podcast RSS feed manually to your favourite podcast app.
Review of the Week
From smithchristopher.au:
I really enjoy listening every week to gain some insight into the world of writing. Valerie and Alison present in a relaxed tone which makes it so easy to listen and enjoy. Love the Author profiles and extra resources and tips. Thanks ladies 🙂
Thanks, smithchristopher.au!
The Daily Routines of 12 Famous Writers
Bill asks:
Firstly, I love the podcast. I’m a nouveau, avid listener and relishing catching up on many of the previous podcasts. I do have a burning question and hope you can offer some advice: For reasons of my own, I really do not want to publish under my actual name for my first book.
I understand that the industry is focused on spotlighting the author, the prospect of which is making me quite bilious. I would much rather just write a nice story and not have to deal with author bio’s, social media, blah blah blah.
My original intent was to publish under a pen-name but I’m beginning to realise that in this day & age, this may be harder to achieve than initially thought.
My question is: How far do you go in marketing under a pen-name? I feel like I am starting to create a character in my novel masquerading as the author.
After asking Bill for more clarity:
I am 80% through the first draft so there is a long way to go before having to really deal with this issue but planning ahead none-the-less. If I am lucky enough to be picked up – yes I would definitely give my real name (writing as…) to a publisher.
I’ve done a bit of research into the legalities and best practices of using a pen-name but they don’t really cover the complexities of marketing under such a name. (e.g setting up social media accounts, communications etc. etc.) Listening to one of your podcasts I noted the author’s interview from a publisher and the questions asked in establishing an author’s bio, which filled me with horrors at having to answer such questions with a pen-name (that crosses a cultural divide).
If I am self-publishing, my natural instinct would be to not market altogether but understand that would not be in my best interest.
I was just wondering what advice you would give someone that would actually prefer to be anonymous as an author, in an industry that would make such a possibility incredibly difficult.
Simone asks:
I have just found the podcast today. I will definitely explore the archives over the Christmas break as I am guessing my burning questions have already been answered. Despite that, I thought I’d let you know what my main stumbling block is: where to start! I currently write a blog on my speciality, feeding fussy children. Yet, I have a book idea that I am in the midst of writing and would love to know more about different avenues for publishing. My book is a combination of parenting humour mixed with my passion for evidence-based feeding therapy. Looking forward to listening more often in 2017.
Useful links for Simone:
writerscentre.com.au/buildyourbook
http://allisontait.com/2013/02/industry-insider-how-to-write-a-book-proposal/
Val and Al answer these questions in this minisode. We hope you find this useful! If you have a question, email us at: podcast [at] writerscentre [dot] com [dot] au
Connect with us on twitter
Email us
podcast at writerscentre.com.au
Share the love!
Connect with us