Pen Names in Author Central
Have you ever mixed genres under one pen name and thought, “Ugh, what have I done?” You’re not alone. I’m Bonnie, and with my partner Andy at Finding Your Indie, we often get questions from authors facing this exact problem.
This post comes from a viewer question on our YouTube video. The question was so detailed that we thought it would be best to turn it into a blog post. Let’s talk about how to separate books into different pen names. It can be done, even if you’ve already published!
The Pen Name Problem: A Common Author Struggle
Here’s the situation: Amy Patrick Books published both fantasy and dystopian sci-fi under the same pen name on Amazon, thinking they were similar enough. Now, Amy wants to focus on fantasy but doesn’t want to lose the reviews and income from the existing sci-fi books. Sound familiar?
Why does this happen? Maybe you thought two genres were “close enough,” didn’t plan a long-term pen name strategy, or were just experimenting. Whatever the reason, that “ugh” moment when you realize the mistake is something many of us can relate to. I’ve been there! I mixed sweet romance with dystopian, so you’re already doing better than me.
Untangling Your Pen Names: Here’s How
Good news! There’s definitely a way to separate your books. It takes a little work, but it’s worth it to target the right readers and build your brand.
Step 1: Tweak or Add the New Pen Name
When creating a new pen name, keep it similar to your existing one if possible. For instance, Amy Patrick could become A.M. Patrick. This helps your existing readers recognize you. Change the pen name directly on your Amazon KDP book listing.
Step 2: Update Your Book Covers and Interiors
This step is crucial! Amazon will reject covers that don’t match the author assignment. Make sure your new covers clearly reflect the new pen name. While you’re at it, update the interior of your books, too.
Step 3: Transfer Books in Author Central
Here’s the key: You’re not deleting or re-uploading books, you’re re-assigning them. You’ll need to contact Amazon Author Central to make this happen. Explain that you need to move books from one pen name to another. I think it’s cute that they apologize like they did it, when I need something fixed, even though it was my fault! The whole process usually takes about three days. The best part? Your reviews and sales data stay with the books.
Step 4: Inform Your Newsletter and Segment Your Audience
It’s vital to tell your readers about the changes. Send an email to your list explaining the pen name split. Use a poll or survey to let subscribers choose which genres they want updates about. Segment your list, so your fantasy readers only get fantasy news, and your sci-fi readers only get sci-fi news.
Don’t Let Your Pen Name Go Cold
Now, here’s a word of warning: don’t completely abandon your dystopian pen name, especially if it’s paying the bills! I’m dealing with this right now. I’m trying to warm up a pen name that I haven’t released under in two years. I just had a release, but the unsubscribes every time I send something is making me sick.
Keep the Flame Alive
Don’t walk away from the things that are making money. Even if you’re focused on fantasy, send occasional newsletters to your dystopian list. Share updates from the dystopian world or consider writing a novella in that genre from time to time. You might even find you want to write something else, so maybe don’t run from it.
Extra Tips and Thoughts
Don’t overextend yourself by adding too many pen names. It’s better to focus on the ones that are working. It’s okay to experiment, but be mindful of spreading yourself too thin. If you need a break, that’s fine, but try to keep your pen name relevant. I’ve even decided I am not adding more pen names and sticking to my two main ones.
Join the Community
Got questions? Ask them in the comments below! Join our free Finding Your Indie Facebook group. We talk about all sorts of things to help authors grow.
We can’t wait to see you around!
Resource Links
To add a pen name to an existing Author Central account and claim a book written under that pen name, you’ll need to navigate to the “Books” tab, search for the book, and then follow the prompts to add it as a pen name. If the book is already listed under a different name, you’ll be prompted to confirm that it’s a pen name. After confirmation, you can add the pen name to your Author Central account and claim the book.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Log in to Author Central: Access your Author Central account through the Amazon website.
- Navigate to Books: Go to the “Books” tab on your Author Central page.
- Add a New Book: Click on “Add a new book” or “Add More Books”.
- Search for the Book: Search for the book you want to claim using the title, ISBN, or other details.
- Confirm Pen Name: If Amazon recognizes the book as being authored by a different name, you will be prompted to confirm if it’s a pen name.
- Add as Pen Name: If prompted, select the option to add the book as a pen name.
- Complete the Process: Follow the remaining steps to add the pen name to your Author Central account and claim the book.
Important Notes:
- Multiple Pen Names: You can manage multiple pen names within a single Author Central account.
- Adding vs. Changing: This process is for adding a pen name and claiming a book already published under that pen name. You cannot directly change the primary author of a published book, but you can create a new edition with the updated name.
- Verification: Author Central may verify that you are the author of the book before completing the process.
Managing Pen Names on Amazon Author Central: What You Need to Know
How many pen names can I use in one Author Central account?
You can link up to three pen names to a single Author Central account. If you have more, you’ll need to create additional Author Central accounts, each with a different email address.
Can I create unlimited pen names on Amazon?
There’s no limit to the number of pen names you can use to publish books through KDP. The only restriction is that each Author Central account can connect with three pen names at a time.
Do I need separate KDP accounts for each pen name?
No. You can manage all your pen names from one KDP account. Each Author Central account you create can be linked to the same KDP account, allowing you to oversee your royalties and tax information from a single dashboard.
What should my pen name look like?
Choose any name that fits the tone or genre of your writing. It can be realistic or creative, but it must follow basic naming rules—no odd symbols, HTML tags, or punctuation that looks out of place.
Can I make up an author bio for my pen name?
You can create a unique bio for each pen name, but you must keep it honest. Avoid inventing credentials or awards you haven’t earned. Focus on your interests and what you bring as a writer.
Is it okay to use a brand or company name as a pen name?
You can publish under a company or brand name if it makes sense for your books. This is common for series produced by multiple authors or publishing teams.
How do I add a new pen name to my Author Central account?
Log in to Author Central, click your name in the top right, and choose “Add Pen Name.” Follow the prompts to link your books.
Will readers see all my pen names connected to each other?
No. Each pen name appears as a separate author page. Readers won’t see any direct connection between them unless you mention it in your author bio or books.
What if I need more than three pen names on Author Central?
Register additional Author Central accounts with new email addresses. Each account can have up to three pen names linked to your main KDP account.
Can I change the pen name on a published book?
No. The primary author name can’t be edited after publication. If you made a mistake or want to change it, you’ll need to publish a new edition with the correct name.
Do I need to give Amazon my real name when using a pen name?
Yes. Your real name and legal details must be on file in your KDP account for payment and tax reasons. This information stays private.
Will my pen name work for both print and Kindle editions?
Yes. Make sure the author name matches exactly across all formats (eBook, paperback, hardcover) to keep your author pages and series linked.
How do I claim my books under a pen name in Author Central?
Sign in, search for your book’s title, and follow prompts to claim it for your pen name. Amazon will verify before linking.
Can I have contributors (like illustrators) listed with my pen name?
Yes. You can include up to ten contributors for eBook and print editions. Double-check names before publishing since they can’t be changed later.
Still have questions about pen names or managing your Author Central account? Drop a comment or visit Amazon’s Author Central help pages for more details.
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