As a tangent to this discussion, what about keeping your real identity from your publisher? Do you need an agent to do this?

IMHO unless there are extraordinary circumstance (i.e. you are a spy or relocated witness) you must tell your publisher your legal name and address--because the contract is a legal document.

My work puts me in contact with a lot of people who know me only by name... I don't think anyone would mind if they knew I write erotica and I'm open about it to both my family and co-workers but... I definitely don't want weird things popping up if someone ever google my name (even for facebook I created an alias)! Or maybe I'm just plain secretive... But personally I think pen names are interesting in themselves, and not just as a tool to get around Real Life. I always have lots of fun when I create a pen name -- I think it comes from my fascination with Pessoa's plays with heteronyms. That he created lives and temperament for each of them, and even had them interact one with another! Without going as far as inventing a whole life, I sometimes catch myself thinking: "Oh, no problem, she can write something like this" ...when I'm actually talking about myself! (I guess that more than being secretive, I'm also somewhat neurotic...? :oops:) As for the man -vs- woman writer thing -- to be perfectly honest when I'm buying SF or Fantasy, I tend to search for and choose women writers :? But for Romance or Romantica or Erotica, heck yeah, I jump on a book written by a guy! **Informational tidbit from Harlequin: back in the day (I don't know if they still work that way) H -*test*-('")ed manuscripts by sending them to reading groups... and they always knew when the writer was male. Food for thought, huh?

But what if you've been black-listed by the industry, or are well-known and feel you would be discriminated against? What if my real name was Jenna Bush? Couldn't you use your agent or a lawyer as a go-between? Payments would be made to their trust account, and they would then take care of filing your W2s.

Yes, and often gets it wrong. I tried it several times and it was convinced I was male. AV

I was also male every time. I have read several studies and readers mainly told gender from genre, although there was some ability to tell within the same genre it was far fron perfect. None have looked at whether readers can tell when the person is tryinbg to write like the opposite gender, like my Velvet Mafia story.

As a reader, I'm not concerned with the gender of the authour - it's the quality of the content and how effectively it works it's way down from my eyes, like that first encounter from across a crowded room. As a writer, same as above. I already have a pen name chosen and wish it so because I also write for the media and I am often in the public forum. I don't believe using my own name in various genres of erotica would be accepted by the majority. I'm certainly not embarassed or ashamed - sex and sensuality is a wonderful gift in this lifetime. I just feel it's a wise career choice.

Lodestone, I understand about wise career decisions. I originally asked this question because I normally enjoy writing Science Fiction, Suspense, and Mystery. In addition to the aforementioned genres, I also enjoy reading Horror, Romance and Erotic Romance/Erotica. I recently discovered a wonderful passion for writing Erotica but sense that many of the associates I know and writing groups I'm subscribed to in other genres wouldn't understand or be open to my other writings. Heck, some of the folks in the Science Fiction genre can't even understand why I would write Mystery! I also work in a very male-oriented, scientific, military, aerospace related field and not many of this group would ever admit to writing, reading, and enjoying erotica (although I suspect many do and just won't admit it.) Therefore, after much consideration, I've determined that if I submit something for publication, I would likely use a pen name. I'll continue to use my real name for Science Fiction and Mystery stories so if you see my name somewhere else, say hello.

JL, I definitely sympathize with your position in a male-oriented field, and agree that many would be more supportive than they care to admit. Same here. I know quite a few readers who would enjoy my works, but can't take a chance on the ones that won't. And call it grasping onto my youth maybe, but I think it's kinda neat-o having a secret identity.

That's a great way to look at it. I know of a few writers that use there secret identity to (oh, what is the thing I'm looking for) ah, get into character for certain types of writing. I think I will try that. My pen name will reflect the person I am while writing in the genre and I will have fun with it. I recently used a pen name to enter a con-*test*-('") of Erotica. It wasn't a good con-*test*-('") in that I had to post on a public forum but it served as a great primer and motivator. I was runner-up to a wonderfully talented writer and learned much (mostly that my Erotica is rather tame and purple compared to others, but that's what I like) but now am faced with another dilemna. Nobody knows about my writing in this genre -- not even my own wife -- so now I am burdened with coming up with a reasonable explanation when my prize (which is a huge sampler box of various adult toys) arrives at the house by UPS and more-than-likey when my wife is there to sign for it. Oh well, maybe she'll appreciate it and we can work our way through the box of goodies together. JL

Well, I'm not suggesting that you 'lie' or anything, but technically you did 'enter a con-*test*-('")' - sounds like entering a draw to me!

No, I wouldn't lie and I didn't keep my identity hidden or the fact that I was writing erotic romance from my wife out of embarrassment or shame; mostly because of my lack of experience in the genre. I like to write in many genre's (Mystery, Science Fiction, a little Horror, Poetry) and have many projects in various stages of completion. Short stories and poetry I usually finish and post for review but novel length projects are another story. I am proud to say that my first Erotic Romance is one the few short stories I've actually brought to the public eye and am proud of that. I've found that I very much enjoy writing in this genre and, even though I have much to learn, feel I could write for publication. I can say this; it is not as easy as I first thought. There are so many ways to describe a "throbbing organ" or "moist valley" (purpleness intended) that one could easily get caught up in thought of find just the right word that fits the mood and temper of the story. Now, to find a wonderful pen name that expresses my passion ... any unique suggestions?

I know what you mean trying to keep coming up with 'names and places'... As for the pen name, that's something very personal. You'll have to look deep into yourself for that one. I won't reveal mine here yet, but it's a combination of many things. A cross between others in my life admired and inspired, one life taken, the other not given, and when you add them up and break them back down, they end up meaning something totally different, and representing a character trait in me that only my nearest and dearest would understand. But only after I deciphered it. I'm dying to tell.. it's really coollll...