Tag Archives: writing

Writing: Why a Pen Name?

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Writing: Why a Pen Name?I’ve been pondering self-publishing my fiction books under my real name, but at the last minute I wasn’t so sure after all: wouldn’t people looking for autism non-fiction books be confused by my horror slash romance slash paranormal books? Would they approve? Wouldn’t it make things more difficult for them to find the right books, the autism ones?

I know people in need of autism information are not dumb, but I just want to make it easy on them to get to the books they need. Most of them are parents of autistic children, they deserve to be cut some slack and be taken care of.

Also, I am not making a secret of my fiction pen name: Irma Geddon, so if any of them wants to try reading my fiction books in english, that’s more than fine by me.

I probably won’t use another pen name if I cross fiction genres. I know people who read are well-educated and can make their own decision about the genres they want to read. As I doubt I’ll write middle grade, children or young adult books, that should be fine.

Reasons to Self-Publish: I’m Pig-Headed

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Pigs 13 (picture: Linda N.)I’ve been pondering lately what my reasons are to self-publish. Some people ask me why I won’t go the legacy publishing route, why I won’t even consider it. There’s so many of them, I guess it’s best if I dedicate a post to each one of them…

I’m very stubborn. I don’t like being told what to do in general, unless I ask for help. I like to do my own thing, make my own mistakes, and follow my own path.

When choosing the legacy road, you have to forgo a lot of options, and listen to the potential buyers re: your story. If Big Boss doesn’t like the ending, you have to rewrite it. Same if he hates one of the main characters, you have to change him, or get rid of him. You have got, in order to get the honour of being published, to allow someone to stomp on your story, with both feet.

Business is business, right? Well, no. Not for me. I am very protective of my writing, of my art. I could never stand being ordered around for rewrites – most of all if they don’t make sense to me! Also: free rewrites? They live in Disneyland, for sure.

I want the stories to be mine. That’s one of the reasons I’m choosing self-publishing. Indies have it all: the last word on the story, on the cover art, on the book format, on the price… It’s empowering, and I’m glad I’ve taken to writing now, in this digital age, at the new turn for publishing and writers altogether.