Splitting Pen Names for Effective Genre Branding
Choosing to write under a pen name is a common strategy for authors who write in multiple genres. But managing multiple pen names—and splitting your work between them—can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re starting fresh or restructuring your existing books, we’ve got you covered.
For this post, we’re breaking down how to carefully and effectively split your work into separate pen names.
Why Use a Pen Name?
Many authors adopt pen names to keep their genres distinct. Think about your readers. Someone looking for a sweet romance might not want to find a post-apocalyptic thriller under the same author name. A pen name lets you target specific groups while maintaining a consistent reader experience.
For example, if you’re writing both cozy mysteries and gritty sci-fi, having two author names keeps each brand clean and focused.
Identifying Your Pen Names
Before jumping in, start by sorting your books by genre. Which titles fit under your main name, and which need to shift to a new identity?
Here’s a quick process:
- Group your books by genre.
- Example: Sweet Romance vs. Apocalyptic Thriller.
- Create a naming strategy for your pen name.
- Readers might already know you, so consider a version that feels connected.
- Example: If your current name is Bonnie Paulson, you might choose B.R. Paulson for your new pen name.
- Plan what stays and what needs updates.
- Covers, interiors, product pages, and metadata may need tweaks to reflect the new name.
Preparing Your Books for the Shift
Once you’ve identified the books and genres, it’s time to prepare them for the split.
Update Covers and Interiors
The most crucial step is updating the covers and interiors. Retailers like Amazon use metadata to validate your files. If the information doesn’t match, they may flag or reject your updates.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Design New Covers
Update the author name on the book covers. Ensure the name matches your new pen name. - Revise the Interiors
Open the manuscript files and replace the old name with the new one. Check for references like “from the author of” or mentions of your previous name.
Avoid Metadata Errors
If the metadata doesn’t align, platforms like Amazon may send error emails or even suspend your listings. Keep it consistent.
Paperback Considerations
If you’ve got paperbacks, unlink their ISBNs before making changes. This means unpublishing the paperback version tied to the old author name. Then, once you’ve made updates, you can relink it to the new name.
Setting Up a Public Profile for Your New Pen Name
A successful pen name needs more than edited books—it needs a presence.
Create A New Author Central Profile
On Amazon, each pen name should have its own Author Central account. After updating your book details, contact Amazon Author Central Support. Ask them to move the books to the new pen name’s profile.
This process can take several weeks. Be patient. Once it’s finalized, your books will appear under the new account.
Build Social Media Pages
It’s smart to set up a separate Facebook page for your new pen name. If you’re running ads, this helps avoid confusion between genres.
Consider these tools:
- A Facebook Fan Page for social engagement.
- A landing page (using MailerLite or similar platforms) to collect email subscribers.
- An Amazon Author Central page to showcase your titles.
By separating these elements, you’ll keep your marketing efforts and audiences distinct.
Keeping Reviews When Switching Pen Names
One big worry for authors is losing their reviews when changing to a new pen name. Thankfully, you can retain them if you handle the transition carefully.
When updating your books on Amazon, change only the author name—leave the book title, subtitle, and series title the same. Reviews are tied to the product, not the author, so they’ll remain if the metadata stays consistent.
What About Crossover Readers?
Are you worried about crossover between your pen names? Unless you’re as famous as, say, Nora Roberts, the crossover is usually minimal. Most readers follow a genre, not the author’s identity.
Still, if you want to subtly connect your pen names, you can mention them in author bios or newsletters. Just don’t link them directly in your metadata or product descriptions.
Stay Persistent
The process of moving books and setting up a new pen name can take time. You might need to follow up with platform support teams a few times. Stay patient, and keep track of your updates. It typically takes a few months for everything—like also-bought algorithms—to fully align, but the effort is well worth it.
Final Thoughts
Managing multiple pen names isn’t as daunting as it first seems. Take it step by step: sort your books, prepare your files, and set up the right profiles. With persistence and organization, you’ll create a smooth, professional transition that allows your books—and your readers—to thrive in their appropriate lanes.
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