An Author by Any Other Name

February 27, 2008 in Unsolicited Advice | View Comments

With my full manuscript sitting on the desk of a big important publisher, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my future, specifically my bright and shiny imaginary future in which I am a rock-star author with a mansion, a huge oak writing desk, and a full time job wherein I write all day in my pajamas. You know when people refer to their “happy place,” as in that magical place wherein all is right with the world? The mansion and the writing desk and the pajamas is totally my happy place.

So, since you were all so helpful when I was trying to decide which line to target with my 2007 NaNovel, I thought I’d ask you for help on yet another topic: To pseudonym, or not to pseudonym?

Option 1: No pseudonym, which would mean I keep Sonja Foust.

Pros:
1. Name recognition– Most people who know me know me by this name. Ok, some know me by my maiden name but we’re not even going to consider that as an option because it’s Norwegian and odd and, just, no. I’m proud of my family heritage, but I’m not going to force everyone else to be proud with me.
2. I already own my domain name.
3. Backlist. It’s a small backlist of non-novels, but it’s still a backlist.

Cons:
1. Name recognition– Do I want everyone who knows me to know I wrote that smutty novel? Hey, I am all for smutty novels and I am not embarrassed to have written one, but what if my writing career tanks and I decide to go into politics or something? Ok, well, not politics maybe, but some other not romance-friendly career.
2. The spelling of Sonja is a little tricky, I think. I’ve been told it’s ok, but a lot of people sure get it wrong. And there are several ways to spell Foust as well, including the more popular Faust.

Option 2: Pseudonym, with Ramona Norwood as the front-runner.

Pros:
1. My backlist disappears. See, this can be a pro or a con, because my backlist is paranormal/fantasy and the novel currently sitting on a big publisher’s desk is Not. Do I want to confuse people with the option of getting paranormal short stories or full-length contemporary smutty category?
2. Ramona Norwood also has the benefit of being my porn star name (name of first pet + name of street you grew up on). And that makes me laugh.
3. The domain name is available, and I already own ramonanorwood.blogspot.com. I’m forward-thinking like that.

Cons:
1. I may ruin the life of one Ramona Norwood, police officer. Wait, is this a con, really? I kind of have a little itty bitty mean streak, and this appeals to me in an evil sort of way. Sorry Ramona.

As you can see, I have a dilemma. So what do you think? Pseud or no pseud? Or some other option? Sonya Faust? Ditch the porn star name altogether and come up with a new pseudonym? I’m so lost. TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!

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  • Robert P
    You should just be happy you have a unique and novel (pun intended) name. SOME OF US, are stuck with lousy Americana names.


    BTW, my porn name would be Peppy Railroad....not sure if that is funny or not.
  • bryn
    You could go straight to stardom and have your book covers say "Sonja Foust writing as Ramona Norwood"


    Ramona Norwood reminds me of beverly cleary.



    If you don't want people to know Sonja Foust is you, you could set up fake internet personalities also named sonja foust to put doubt in people's mind.
  • Sonja
    I may keep my name, Skye, but you must promise to publish SOMETHING under the name Captain Leona.
  • Skye Forbes
    Keep your name. Way cooler.


    By the way, my porn star name would be Captain Leona, which makes me sound like a dominatrix. Just a though.
  • Sonja Foust
    Aw, thanks Herbie! Eloquently put. :)
  • Herbie
    The truth is, your name almost sounds like a pseudonym, y'know? You've got that exotic first name and the last name that serves as an ancient literary allusion. What more can an author hope for?


    Here's to champagne wishes and caviar dreams by way of the written word!
  • Sonja Foust
    Yay, two more votes for keeping my name. My lazy side is starting to like this group... ;)
  • M.Brayfield
    That would make my porn star name Bandit Beaumont. Hmmm


    I like your name, personally. It's short and to the point, unlike mine. I'd say stick with what you got, personally.
  • Kiba
    I like your namename. I just like it. I think it is a good author name. I say, stick with it, and then maybe add pseudonyms later? Like Nora Roberts with J. D. Robb, or Anne Rice with Anne Rampling, or whatever.


    My Porn Star Name has multiple variations as I didn't grow up on just one street, but in every variation of it, my first name is Obi Wan Kenobi.



    Obi Wan Kenobi Abada

    Obi Wan Kenobi King

    Obi Wan Kenobi Byrd

    Obi Wan Kenobi Trevor... etc.
  • Sonja Foust
    interesting thought, Beth. I like that idea. I'll add it to my list of possibilities. Thanks!
  • Beth Caudill
    Personally, I love your name Sonja. Not so fond of the Ramona Norwood. Norwood is ok but Ramona just does nothing for me. (BTW, I started spelling it with 2 os instead of one. Then again, I can't spell anyway.)


    My porn name would be Cupcake Newton. Not ever going to use that one. :)



    My vote is to stick with Sonja. Maybe Sonja Norwood.
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