Using a pseudonym...

There's recently been a fair bit of controversy surrounding an article that was on the Times Online website. The article in question is about a new book that is to be released called 'In Bed With...' and the accomplished authors who have contributed to it.

The chap who wrote the article, Richard Brooks, spends the entire piece trying to de-pseudonym the authors, which I personally find very irritating!

I see no harm in writing under a pseudonym at all and in fact, actively encourage it! I've wrote a bit of a rant about it here but I'd love to hear what other people think.

Yeah sometimes it's really important to have a real life which is separate from what you write!

On a sorta related topic, I really like how open this woman Charlotte Roche is in her book and in this interview http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jan/17/interview-charlotte-roche-debut-novel-wetlands  Her book may not be everyone's cup of tea but I do like how she has raised the topics.  Sorry slightly OT but Carly's post made me think of this article.

I love your rant Carly,

Personally I don't mind auther's using a different name as long as they are comfortable with what they do plus I think it's kind of nice to keep a bit of mystery about yourself.

For example, if Andy McNab was to use his real name then he would be in serious trouble for giving away SAS secrets, but under his name he prefers to use, he is so sucsessful and a well known author.

I think Richard Brooks should wind his neck in!

xxx

 In my opinion, it's people like Richard Brooks who are the reason some of us need to use pseudonyms.

If the world were populated with respectful people who refrained from bigotry and judging, then why would there ever be any need for pseudonyms?

 Lubyanka, I couldn't agree more!

He is part of the problem...

xxx

Hi - new here but thought I'd chip in. We publish the Xcite range of erotic books and I know many of our authors must write under other names because of the jobs they do etc. However liberated society may be I think most mothers would think twice if they knew their child's teacher wrote spanking stories for example.

I saw the article in The Times and it has caused a great deal of controversy amongst erotic writers, and with good reason. He is trying to say that writing erotica is somehow a 'lesser' form of writing than, say chick-lit, which is just one of the many annoying points in his article!

I'm actually reading the book now and I plan to review it. It's not too bad but I don't think it's as erotic as books which have been published by dedicated imprints, i.e. Xcite. I don't know if this is because the authors know there's a chance that they may be discovered for which story they've written and daren't be too naughty, or if they've been told to keep it relatively vanilla. Regardless, I think the book is a great idea because it will undoubtedly raise the profile of erotic literature and hopefully make people realise they shouldn't have to hide it behind closed doors, or be ashamed of it.

I don't write under a pen name, I don't see why I should. I like the buzz of seeing my name in print and if I used another name, it wouldn't be quite the same!!

Wow! I'm really glad that this has sparked some debate!

Imelda - Thanks for posting the link! I read that Guardian article this morning and found it very interesting. The points Roche raises are very valid and I'm keen to read the book to see if she's gone about it in the right way. It sounds like, from the article, that she may have gone a bit over the top with it and instead all attention will be going to how 'shocking' it is rather than the feminist points she's trying to raise.

Lubyanka - I agree with you entirely. The fear of being found out and ridiculed for what you write is something that has probably gripped most erotic writers at some point. It's shocking that in this day and age that people should still be made to feel ashamed for writing erotic literature - it's as valid an art form as nude photography or life drawing. Using a pseudonym or your real name should be a personal choice and respected as that.

Hazel - Again, I agree, there's nothing wrong with using a psuedonym, especially if the person who is writing the story has a career that could possibly be irrepairably damaged. There is, however, a lot wrong with trying to de-pseudonym people!

It reminds me of when Girl With a One Track Mind, Abby Lee was 'outed'.  The way the media treated her was horrendous! There was no need for them to reveal her real name, occupation and any and all details to do with her life, sexual or otherwise. Although she has now somewhat benefited from it, I can imagine it was one of those moments in her life where she thought that everything - her career, relationships, social life - could potentially be completely ruined.

creativewriter1985 - Please do review "In Bed With..." I'd be really interested to see what you think of it and if it's worth stocking on LoveHoney. As the authors aren't generally erotic writers it's possible that they were scared to go way out there with their writing but I'd be very interested to read the original stories and the edited versions that appeared in the book!

Xcite Books - Hazel wrote:

Hi - new here but thought I'd chip in. We publish the Xcite range of erotic books and I know many of our authors must write under other names because of the jobs they do etc. However liberated society may be I think most mothers would think twice if they knew their child's teacher wrote spanking stories for example.

I have got to agree with that comment!

I'm a childcare worker - the mother would have a fit if she knew that I have dabbled in writing erotica. Albeit mild stuff....

'Abby' wrote about her experience of being outed here http://girlwithaonetrackmind.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html (Start with Outed towards the bottom) and you can see how tough a time it was for her.  It really is ridiculous that normal people who have written a book have to be hounded by the press and outed.

I suppose it's different for different people. I write fiction, so using my real name gets me some stick, but not as badly as if I'd written about real-life.

Creative would u say erotic writing is your intentional career?  I suppose it also depends on whether someone is a writer or just someone who has written a story (or many).  There's more risk when you have a life outside.  I know you work elsewhere as well but think you're writing is a career path as well yeah?  As you say, different for different people!

It reminds me of when Girl With a One Track Mind, Abby Lee was 'outed'.  The way the media treated her was horrendous! There was no need for them to reveal her real name, occupation and any and all details to do with her life, sexual or otherwise. Although she has now somewhat benefited from it, I can imagine it was one of those moments in her life where she thought that everything - her career, relationships, social life - could potentially be completely ruined.

The Abby Lee/Zoe thing was awful. My opinion of the [Sunday] Times has gone completely downhill because of it - it was absolutely unneccessary tabloid rather than broadsheet journalism which served no real purpose.

Invasion of privacy, undeserved defamation of character, loss of job aside - the main thing that annoyed me about it was that the blog hasn't been able to be anywhere near as hot since! :D

Further reading here!

Why can't people just be left alone to write what they want under whatever name they want - things like that make me mad too! Everyone should be entitled to privacy and if they choose to write erotic stories without revealing their true identity then why should it make a difference. The story won't change - so the outcome will still be the same for the reader. Journalists like Richard Brooks are just making things difficult for authors in what is already a genre which is still unfortunately frowned upon!

Purple wrote:

Why can't people just be left alone to write what they want under whatever name they want - things like that make me mad too! Everyone should be entitled to privacy and if they choose to write erotic stories without revealing their true identity then why should it make a difference. The story won't change - so the outcome will still be the same for the reader. Journalists like Richard Brooks are just making things difficult for authors in what is already a genre which is still unfortunately frowned upon!

I'm in total agreement, Purple!

Don't forget there are lots of non-erotic fiction authors writing under pseudynoms too.  At the end of the day, a name is a name - so what!

I think there's more interest in bloggers though as they are perceived as dealing with fact.  The Abby Lee case was a shocker, but then plenty of others including Suzanne Portnoy and Bitchy Jones who have manages to keep their identies under wraps.

Check out the Channel 4 programme Sex In The Noughties: The Sex Blog Girls for more on anonymity and sex bloggers - well worth a watch.

imeldaimelda wrote:

Creative would u say erotic writing is your intentional career?  I suppose it also depends on whether someone is a writer or just someone who has written a story (or many).  There's more risk when you have a life outside.  I know you work elsewhere as well but think you're writing is a career path as well yeah?  As you say, different for different people!

Yes - I'd call it a career, I suppose. I'm working on it anyway. I've got the day job of course, but if I ever get to the stage where I can make enough from my writing to do it full-time, then I will. My current place of work know all about my writing, and actually find it interesting/amusing. They like to tease me about it but I think they're bored of it now because the novelty has worn off.

I don't see any harm in using pseudonyms. There aren't many people who want their entire family to know they've been writing about fucking in showers and messing around with dildos, anal play and all that jazz. And not only that, but in some cases it gives you free range, because it isn't you writing, it's this other person you're pretending to be and you don't have to behave or speak or think like you if you don't want to. It can work you towards some fantastic stuff when you don't have to worry about what your friends might think, or your reputation.

 In the lovely world of erotica I do use a pseudonym as most of you know

Even though its all completely non fictional, I just do not fancy of my uncle Dave 'coming' across anything

Just turns me right off!

PPB

x

Personally, any writing i choose to make public (none so far, but that writing competition has got my creative juices just dying for the chance to get flowing ;) ) will be under a pseudonym. My "career" is not writing - and if the day were to come where I was doing well out of it, that would be wonderful... But due to my chosen career, I'd rather have the choice of who I tell.

I hate this idea of "demasking" people. Have some respect Mr Brooks!