I am not sure there will be a right or a wrong answer to my question, so your opinions and guidance is what I am really seeking. My book is ready, so I am in the process of looking for an literary agent to represent me. The question is, should I use my real name or a pen name? The reason I am asking this question is, there is already an Adrian Spalding out there writing books. Admittedly, they are about butterflies and insects, whereas my genre is thrillers. So unless I am going to write a book about killer butterflies ( there's a thought, make a quick note of that one), there should not be too much confusion. Yet a change might still be called for. Plus is the name Adrian Spalding, with all those syllables not racy enough for the cover of a thriller? Would a tighter name, hook an agent, or is it solely those first three chapters? As I said, I doubt there is a right or a wrong answer, but I would be very interested to hear your opinion.
Thanking you in advance
Adrian Spalding or maybe Tom Butler.
Well I was considering using the pen name "Hugh Jarse" but for some reason I have been told that is exactly what I would be making of myself if I did. I don't understand what they mean, any idea what I have missed? I thought it rolled off the tongue!
Paul. aka Hugh Jarse.
@ Jimmy ("It's got EVERYTHING!")
Hmm*... let's see: middle-of-the-road-musical extravaganza cum progressive rock CHECK
aristocracy ("Lord") CHECK
sex CHECK
inter-racial violence CHECK
politics CHECK
specifically, Obama as baddie CHECK
nudity (well, almost) CHECK
thrills CHECK
mystery CHECK
famous names CHECK
famous faces CHECK
Hmm*... Sorry, Jimmy! You forgot the commercial tie-ins. Throw in a Pepsi® tipped over on the carpet and a Whopper® clutched in the redhead's hand with an order of fries on the side.
And if you gave the Obama lookalike a bin Laden beard, you simultaneously bring in [at least] THREE more elements:
international terrorism
religion
islamophobia
@ Adrian/Tom: I would look for another agent if I were you.
* W&A Q&As in-joke.
Serendipity strikes again! "Maybe Tom Butler" has a certain je ne sais quoi...