Why I Use A Pen Name

One of the most frequent questions that I get asked is why I use a pen name. If I've been published under my real name, then why bother with a psuedonym? There are several reasons, actually.

The type of things I write about, whether erotic romance, poetry, dark fantasy, paranormal horror or non-fiction pieces on the paranormal, have often brought comments and criticisms that I can not possibly write within all of those genres successfully, I do. I can. I have. However, the naysayers have a habit of spreading their negativity and trying to convince others to side with them. It is bad enough getting tagged a fraud, when you busted your ass through hard work to get where you are. When that negative view is attached to your real name, your real family, real friends get hit with the nastiness by being connected to you.

Sometimes, you need to step away and know your loved ones are protected from the BS and the harassment.

You may think that harrassment is a harsh word, but have you had your life threatened? Your pets or children threatened? Your spouse, partner or lover threatened? I have. I had one particular ass threaten to burn down my home while I slept, all because we disagreed that a writer could write in various genres. Sadly, the internet gives a lot of folks a false sense of security and they act out in ways they never would in person.

This assumption that author X writes prolifically in one genre and only one has warped some peoples' view of the reality. Many writers are comfortable in many areas of writing, many writers are not. I find that shifting genres keeps me on my toes, keeps me interested in writing, it keeps me reaching and striving to better my craft.

Besides, big name authors like Stephen King, Anne Rice and Kim Harrison have written under pen names. It isn't a crime, it's actually very liberating and allows one to venture out into fields they might otherwise avoid.

My spiritual and religious views are another reason I use a pen name. Where I live is a fairly close minded community. If you think outside the box, it is frowned on. If you hold a view that is not conservative gun toting, Bible thumping, church going (as in each time the doors are open) you are looked down on. Now, add to that that I am a peaceful Polytheist who has been and still is involved in works of healing, as well as animal rescues and attempting to live a quiet life, harming no one. Yep. Target on my back, for sure. If I openly oppose some crack pot I have to worry about the consequences, like my pets being murdered or my family being shot.

Not long ago, a church and a small bar got into it. They tossed around threats, tossed around insults. Church members burned down the bar, said it was sinful. As far as I know, they were never punished for their crimes. In part, the bar owner was not a church member, which meant he was not titheing. You can imagine what people like that would do to people like me!

Work brought us here, needing a change of scenery prompted the move, and circumstance kept us here. I know a lot of people who say "Well, just move again!" But it is not that easy. When you own your house, or your kids are settled in school you can not just pack up and move. Not to mention the exorbitant cost of moving.

Political views do not help. This area is Conservative Republican. The state is so red it bleeds. While not every soul here is Conservative, there are quite a few Democrats who are Liberal, there are very few Independants or Libertarians. To vote you must check R or D. Nothing else. In the past, when we went to register to vote we were denied when we chose D over R. Told to our faces "You can't do that," or "You made a mistake. You meant to check R." Illegal as hell, but it does happen.

This is the climate of much of America today. I am not risking my family, friends or pets because some fanatics can't rein in their hatred or ignorance. My writing what I write would only fan the flames, so I live quietly, keep my mouth shut and use a pen name. Most days, I feel like I am being a fraud, probably because I have been told such to my face so many times. I have been told that real writers don't need to use pen names. But they do if they live in a part of the country (or in a country) that denies them their rights to expression and speech; if they are subjected to the hypocrisy of religious freedom only means by one group's definition: Christian, and no other applies. I am not anti-Christian. I have friends who are Christian, they are not fanatical, they are not hate mongers, they are good people. They accept that not all people believe or worship the same way, they do not try to convert me and I do not try to convert them. A few even helped us move, not flinching as they helped me pack up my altar, the obvious Buddha statue sharing space with Anubis, Hathor and Bast. Quan Yin was gently added to that special box along with the incense offering dish.

We have often talked about our differing paths and respect each other. I treasure that and I treasure their acceptance.

For those who wonder, Storm DeVille came about easily for me. I love storms. I have found myself naming characters Storm on several occasions. Where I grew up, and here where I am now, we sometimes get those little dust-devils, or small storm-devils. I also love the older Cadillac DeVilles. So there you have it, my pen name comes from a minor weather phenomenon, my love of storms and a car. None the less, I AM still Storm DeVille, that is a facet of who I am at my core.

I write because I love it. I write because I am incapable of not writing. I am a writer. I am an author, but most important of all I am a story teller. I tell stories, I create worlds, I weave webs and dreams for others to share.

Until my real life world can grow and become more accepting of peoples differences in politics, religion, spirituality and sexual orientation I will be writing under a pen name for protection. For myself, my family, my friends and my pets.

What CAN Happen

Awhile back I mentioned via LiveJournal the experiences that made me cynical and skeptical about the big publishers out there. As I've stated not all big publishers are alike, so keep in mind that when I say something less than flattering about a publisher it does not mean all publishers. I've met with and spoken with quite a few publishers and editors who were above and beyond fantastic, and they represented their profession with the utmost in honor and skill.

One particular case involved a paranormal romance I was writing in the late 90's. By this time I had numerous publications under my belt, not under this name however, and I was making a name for myself.

 I had the book more than half finished, had the outline and synopsis finished and was very pleased with what I had. I sent samples chapters and the outline and synopsis to a publisher after they asked to see it, following a successful query. We were back and forth for months, we spoke on the phone a few times and I was told we were ready to go forward. Then there was no communication, they dropped everything with no word. I spoke with the editor and was told his higher ups screwed the pooch, so to speak. He could not make the offer he wanted to, on a book he really wanted to see published and was fully supportive of, because the head honcho chose to scrap all lesser or new projects, even those they had deals with, so they could pay a BIG name author who was past their hey day another couple million. They were cutting bonus pay, health care, retirement, etc., for their staff, editors, agents and so on to make up the extra money for this author. Needless to say, I was upset but I understood.

What I did NOT understand was the publishers attempt to keep my submission and refuse to return it in the prepaid mailer envelope. After much back and forth, I found that they were hanging on it for somewhat less than honorable reasons (can we say setting a writer from their stable to finish it and put their name on it?) I sent them a certified letter stating that I was removing my submission from their consideration and that I had had it accepted by another publisher. Which I had. That publisher was and is a close friend of mine and they took on this burden as a favor to me, to free up my work and let these unscrupulous people know the work was not theirs for the taking.

I was so bitter at the time, not because of the lost opportunity, but due to the attempt at stealing from me and attempting to screw me. I never thought that a big, reputable company would have to resort to such tactics, but they did and they still DO.

Some advice for writers, do what I did: always keep copies of your communications, keep track of dates of submissions and response times. Always keep a full copy of your work, because the big guys are sometimes assholes who throw your submission into the trash unread and willl steal your stamps, or SASE or return packaging. I know of several who cut the stamps off the return SASE and kept the paperclips, and even laughed about how they were saving money by doing this.

For further protection, register your copyrighted manuscript with the Library of Congress, and send yourself a copy of your completed manuscript through registered mail, in a bubble envelope and DO NOT OPEN IT. These efforts will work to assure your copyright is not fucked with.

There are some disreputable people out there and they will not hesitate to steal from you. Many advice columns out there will tell you this kind of behavior and outright theft is a rare thing, but if it happens to YOU you will not care that you were the one in 1,000 it happened to. Be a little paranoid, be protective of your work and safeguard yourself against these unscrupulous businesses.

By registering your copyright, you can also sue them for damages, loss of income and a myriad of other injuries to yourself and your career.

I do not want any other writer to feel the way I did when this happened. I can't protect all of them, but I can help and I can warn them.

By the by, I am planning on revisiting that novel, and releasing it next year. I strongly feel that paranormal themes and high fantasy are my stronger areas, along with erotica so I intend to run with those!

Okay, I'm heading off to watch the latest Silent Hill offering. Yeah, there's going to be no sleep for me for awhile! lol


Happy Writing,
Happy Reading,
Storm