Hey guys. I have two planned projects for self-publication this year. The first is a combined collection of my first three novels (they are really novellas, but still,) which I am calling "A Far, Far Better Thing." The second is an original, full-length novel which I have yet to even conceive.
Here's the problem I am faced with. I have been writing under the pen name "Sugar Ray Dodge" instead of my real name which is David Chadwick. I am seriously considering dropping the pen name and just publishing all my future work under Dave Chadwick (apparently "David Chadwick" is the name of a well-known Buddhist philosopher.) My question to you, my fellow fruitbats, is this a good idea? I know that Sugar Ray Dodge is catchy and hip, but I also would like to be taken seriously someday and I'm not sure if it is the most marketable pen name.
Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 13570
Location: Somewhere in a galaxy near you
You could just put an initial with your name
& get a little cross-promotion from folks looking for the other guy-
it probably works for those other Chris Moores, just saying...
Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:49 pm
mllefifi
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 8964
Location: Deleoware
Yeah, invoke your middle name somehow.
That's what the actor Philip Seymour Hoffman had to do, because there was already a Philip Hoffman in the Screen Actor's Guild or some other such thing. _________________ "If you allow yourself to be offended, then you're a bit of [a] nitwit."
(Christopher Moore)
Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:27 am
Sephonae
Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 5218
Location: New York
I dig your Sugar Ray Dodge handle. But if you go w/your real name, I'm with Zen and Feef about tossing in your middle name. _________________ <=== Dressing in dismal chic and maintaining her detached aura of aristocratic chill since 1985.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"You can't wipe your ass with empty promises." - thread title, by walk
Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:31 pm
Wonko
Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 4787
Location: ...but it's a hot heat
I suppose it depends on whether you'd rather use the same name as a Buddhist philosopher or that of two boxers and a talk-show host combined with an auto manufacturer.
I wonder if Boota was ever concerned about using the same name as an author who used to be an astronaut.
I'd say use your own name, after all, there are also other authors out there published under the AG's name
Just remember what happened to Theodor Geisel... _________________ Avoid being normal -- John Lennon
Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:40 pm
kshathra
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
Posts: 7
I say go with Huggins Biltmore.
or Wenrod Foe.
or maybe S. Van Mandelain.
Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:39 pm
mxlemore
Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 44
Location: Georgia
You could use the name, Art Vandalay. Seinfeld fans would dig that!
Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:10 am
girlEgirl
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 6412
Location: olympia, wa
mxlemore wrote:
You could use the name, Art Vandalay. Seinfeld fans would dig that!
yeah but sienfeld sucks. as is my habit, i agree with sep. and i cant wait till your books become popular enough to arrive in my library catalogue system. _________________ clowns are people too...people who want to hurt you.
Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:39 am
sugarraydodge
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 647
Location: Utah
girlEgirl wrote:
mxlemore wrote:
You could use the name, Art Vandalay. Seinfeld fans would dig that!
yeah but sienfeld sucks. as is my habit, i agree with sep. and i cant wait till your books become popular enough to arrive in my library catalogue system.
Yes, Seinfeld is stupid. My dad still watches the reruns and I liked it in High School, but I tried to watch an episode recently and asked myself "Why did I ever think this was funny? This is stupid."
And thanks, I think I may hang onto my SRD handle for a while longer. _________________ Scruffy|SRD Books
Thu Mar 12, 2009 1:20 pm
mllefifi
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 8964
Location: Deleoware
I wish they'd give Seinfeld reruns a rest. Bring back Roseanne! _________________ "If you allow yourself to be offended, then you're a bit of [a] nitwit."
(Christopher Moore)
Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:39 pm
Wingnut
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 2602
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia
How about "Norm DePlewm"? _________________ "Smacking yourself with a thawed meat-hammer never has a desired effect." - Jinxted
"Life's too short to get wrapped around the axle about the little things." - SK
-The First Law of Geography: Everything is Connected to Everything Else.
Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:58 pm
chris Site Admin
Joined: 02 Mar 2004
Posts: 3833
Location: People Republic of Northern California
If you're successful, you'll have to live with whatever pen name you choose. You build a career, so if you decide to change your pen name later on, you'll lose much of your momentum and the energy you spent in trying to get your name recognized.
I think "Sugar Ray" aside from not being original, sounds fake, which is just fine for a chat room, but not something you want to base a lifetime of work on.
Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:12 pm
girlEgirl
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 6412
Location: olympia, wa
chris wrote:
If you're successful, you'll have to live with whatever pen name you choose. You build a career, so if you decide to change your pen name later on, you'll lose much of your momentum and the energy you spent in trying to get your name recognized.
I think "Sugar Ray" aside from not being original, sounds fake, which is just fine for a chat room, but not something you want to base a lifetime of work on.
yeah but watayou know about being a writer?? _________________ clowns are people too...people who want to hurt you.
Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:29 pm
sugarraydodge
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 647
Location: Utah
Thanks for your honesty, Chris. I appreciate it.
As for a replacement for the old SRD handle, I have been considering just reverting back to what was on my report cards in Jr. High and High School, and that is J. David Chadwick. Not very many people go by their middle names, and J. is a cool first initial. _________________ Scruffy|SRD Books
Thu Mar 12, 2009 7:06 pm
girlEgirl
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 6412
Location: olympia, wa
sugarraydodge wrote:
Thanks for your honesty, Chris. I appreciate it.
As for a replacement for the old SRD handle, I have been considering just reverting back to what was on my report cards in Jr. High and High School, and that is J. David Chadwick. Not very many people go by their middle names, and J. is a cool first initial.
least you have a middle name. _________________ clowns are people too...people who want to hurt you.
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