A couple of years ago when I was nearing the reality of being published, I had to make a decision about what name I would be published under. I knew it wasn’t a good idea to publish under my own name. I had a corporate identity and a family to think of. My real world and the fantasy world around my writing didn’t mesh. I borrowed from my maternal great grandmother Tereasa Clair (who I was named after) and her husband Guy Collins and I created Claire Collins.
As Claire Collins, I… she… we (?) wrote Images of Betrayal, and Fate and Destiny.
We started Seeds of September and planned to finish it last summer but then that whole real world stepped back in and I took a hiatus from writing. Somewhere along the way, I had stepped back from writing so far that I decided I would never finish my third novel, not to mention the six other novels jostling for position behind it.
Along the way, my fantasy writing world became my real world when I gave up my corporate job and 9 to 5 employee life, packed up my house and family, and moved to North Carolina to manage Barnhill’s Bookstore.
We hit our grand opening last weekend and now I’m settling into this whole new life. I think part of this new life includes Second Wind Publishing and Seeds of September, but if I do, I’m going to write under my own name instead of my alias.
Congratulations on coming out.
Thanks Pamela! Who’s gonna tell my mom??
Thanks for sharing. Good luck Tracy.
Thanks, June!
Hi Tracy! Yes, if it’s yours, just put your name on it. I do think about the only thing I’d put in another name is erotica…but otherwise, lay claim to your stuff! You’ve sure put all the other things on the line for this venture!
best wishes and hugs
Juliet
Thanks, Juliet. And that’s what it’s all about. I can’t really hide anymore when everything else is open now.
Congrats on the decision! Someone asked me at a recent event I was invited to if Christine Husom was my real name. It was the first time I had ever been asked that! I said yes, it was my married name and threw out my maiden name in case they were interested.
I found myself in the same quandary, Tracy. And, I’ve decided to publish under my given name and a nom de plume, depending on which genre it is. Still sounds schizophrenic, I know, but let the world figure that out. I’m glad you’ve made your decision and are sticking to it. Keep writing!