Engage aspiring author & community for author services feedback/promotion.

Published on 06/03/2025KOL Promotion Opportunities

Based on the Reddit post "1l20sa1" ("Thinking about giving myself a Pen Name for my first Book but unsure what is best to go for") and its comments, here's an analysis of potential influencer/community collaborations:

1. The Original Poster (OP) of '1l20sa1'

  • Profile: A first-time author in the pre-publication phase, actively seeking advice on a crucial branding element (pen name). They are a perfect example of a target user for author support services.
  • Collaboration Suggestion:
    • Direct Outreach & Consultation: Offer a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to discuss their pen name dilemma, author branding strategy, and other pre-publication considerations.
    • Service Offer: Introduce relevant services tailored to new authors, such as pen name brainstorming, author branding packages, or introductory guides to self-publishing. A special offer for "new authors" could be quite appealing.
  • Expected Benefits:
    • Direct Client Acquisition: High potential to convert the OP into a paying client.
    • Market Insight: Gain firsthand understanding of the specific challenges and questions faced by authors at this early stage.
    • Testimonial Generation: A positive experience could lead to a valuable testimonial for your services.

2. Knowledgeable & Insightful Commenters

  • Profile: Several commenters provide practical, well-reasoned advice, indicating experience or deep thought on the topic of pen names and author identity.
    • Example Commenters of Note:
      • The user who advised: "My advice is to use a pen name that is nothing like your real name or previous online handles. Reasoning: you don't want fans or haters intruding on your real life..." (Shows understanding of privacy and long-term implications).
      • The user who suggested: "I just used a random name generator... and then googled if it was already in use. The latter is extremely important." (Offers a practical process and highlights a crucial step).
      • The user who advised: "I suggest looking at other books in your genre. Do authors usually use initials or romantic names, serious and mysterious names, etc." (Demonstrates an understanding of genre conventions and branding).
      • The user who mentioned: "Depends on the genre of book" (Concise, but highlights a key strategic element).
  • Collaboration Suggestions:
    • Engage for Feedback & Insights: Reply to their insightful comments, acknowledge their valuable contribution, and potentially ask follow-up questions. This can open a dialogue.
    • Invite for Beta Testing/Review: If you have resources (e.g., guides, checklists, tools for authors), invite these individuals to review them or participate in beta testing, offering their expertise.
    • Content Contribution/Feature: For those who seem particularly articulate or experienced (further vetting of their Reddit profile/history might be needed), consider inviting them to:
      • Contribute a short piece of advice for a blog post or social media series (e.g., "Tips for Choosing a Pen Name from Experienced Authors").
      • Participate in a short Q&A or "ask me anything" session if they have an established presence.
    • Community Advocacy: Nurture these individuals as potential advocates within the writing community. If you run a group or forum, they could be valuable contributors.
  • Expected Benefits:
    • Authentic Content & Social Proof: Featuring advice from real community members adds credibility.
    • Refined Service Offerings: Their feedback can help improve your services or identify unmet needs.
    • Community Building: Engaging with active members fosters a stronger community around your brand or services.
    • Network Expansion: Identify individuals who might be influential in specific writing niches or who could become long-term collaborators.
    • Valuable Market Research: Their discussions highlight common pain points and successful strategies for authors.

Origin Reddit Post

r/selfpublish

Thinking about giving myself a Pen Name for my first Book but unsure what is best to go for.

Posted by u/Dinophage06/03/2025
My real name is boring and only people I know in real life or in work refer to me in that way so I think I have a better chance of standing out if I went under a Pen Name for my self publishe

Top Comments

u/UnSuspicious_Crow
Penny Pennington Pendleton
u/anothernameusedbyme
I debated about using a pen name for ages cause I didn't want my own name (very basic white girl name) out there, but the more I thought about and figured various excuses out, it was easier f
u/Crimson-and-clover19
I suggest looking at other books in your genre. Do authors usually use initials or romantic names, serious and mysterious names etc. I'm writing historical romance so I wanted my pen name t
u/Accomplished_Art1112
Good advice!
u/Happy_Shock_3050
I’m using my real name for the children’s books and coloring books I’m publishing but will be separating myself from that for the adult books I’m writing with a pen name. I used ChatGPT to
u/rjhawkbooks
I always think back to the Simpsons episode where Homer changes his name. “Hercules Rockefeller. Rembrandt Q. Einstein. Handsome B. Wonderful?” “I’m going to give you the only name you spe
u/Night_Runner
Carlos Danger 😎
u/Accomplished_Art1112
🤣
u/maiseywords
My advice is to use a pen name that is nothing like your real name or previous online handles. Reasoning: you don't want fans or haters intruding on your real life, or new people you meet irl
u/rjhawkbooks
I always think back to the Simpsons episode where Homer changes his name. “Hercules Rockefeller. Rembrandt Q. Einstein. Handsome B. Wonderful?” “I’m going to give you the only name you spe
u/NessianOrNothing
Depends on the genre of book 😏
u/RaspberryRelevant743
If you have a more common given name look in your genre authors who have similar and try to find a nice balance that makes you happy. Lisa Jane Smith , L. J. Smith the author of The Vampire
u/Crimson-and-clover19
I suggest looking at other books in your genre. Do authors usually use initials or romantic names, serious and mysterious names etc. I'm writing historical romance so I wanted my pen name t
u/anothernameusedbyme
I debated about using a pen name for ages cause I didn't want my own name (very basic white girl name) out there, but the more I thought about and figured various excuses out, it was easier f
u/Night_Runner
Carlos Danger 😎
u/jessicaw314
😂
u/PEsuper27
Victor Thorne, Orgasmo Herrington, Cleveland Steamer… or pay homage and go with Arthur Digby Sellers. Not exactly a lightweight dude.
u/chrisonetime
Esteemed author of the Penny For Your Thoughts trilogy?
u/NessianOrNothing
Depends on the genre of book 😏
u/Drow_elf25
When I get my first stuff plus loses I am definitely using a pen name. But I am writing some extreme stuff and don’t really want that attached to my real name.
u/NessianOrNothing
Get a pen name for sure. I’ve followed authors who changed theirs so I wouldn’t worry about losing fans. They’ll probably pick up on it and the new ones won’t know/care. So many options thou
u/PEsuper27
Victor Thorne, Orgasmo Herrington, Cleveland Steamer… or pay homage and go with Arthur Digby Sellers. Not exactly a lightweight dude.
u/Drow_elf25
When I get my first stuff plus loses I am definitely using a pen name. But I am writing some extreme stuff and don’t really want that attached to my real name.
u/chrisonetime
P.B. Sandwich sounds pretty good to me
u/ILoveWitcherBooks
I wouldn't use something too common like John Brown. But also I'd stay away from names people would have a hard time remembering and spelling.
u/AbleZookeepergame783
Pick a first name that you will respond to if somebody says it to you at a book event.
u/uglybutterfly025
my name is the most popular name of the year I was born so I kept it because there are literally millions of us. My pen name last name is my maternal grandmothers maiden name.
u/maiseywords
My advice is to use a pen name that is nothing like your real name or previous online handles. Reasoning: you don't want fans or haters intruding on your real life, or new people you meet irl
u/RaspberryRelevant743
If you have a more common given name look in your genre authors who have similar and try to find a nice balance that makes you happy. Lisa Jane Smith , L. J. Smith the author of The Vampire
u/ExaminationNo5995
You should pick a few if you are interested in various genres. ‘Summer Camp’ by Judy Blume gives very different vibes than ‘Summer Camp’ by Steven King.
u/NessianOrNothing
Get a pen name for sure. I’ve followed authors who changed theirs so I wouldn’t worry about losing fans. They’ll probably pick up on it and the new ones won’t know/care. So many options thou
u/RoseOfSorrow
Originally i was going to use the initials of my first and middle name then my last name. But my middle and last name are….common and boring so I decided to go by my first name and my other m
u/UnSuspicious_Crow
Penny Pennington Pendleton
u/ILoveWitcherBooks
I wouldn't use something too common like John Brown. But also I'd stay away from names people would have a hard time remembering and spelling.
u/readyfreddy3618
r/namenerds would love this question to help you come up with a pen name!
u/RoseOfSorrow
Originally i was going to use the initials of my first and middle name then my last name. But my middle and last name are….common and boring so I decided to go by my first name and my other m
u/AverageJoe1992Author
I just used a random name generator, picked a handful that I liked, got a second opinion and then googled if it was already in use. The latter is extremely important. Source: Go put "Averag
u/AverageJoe1992Author
I just used a random name generator, picked a handful that I liked, got a second opinion and then googled if it was already in use. The latter is extremely important. Source: Go put "Averag

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