Engage aspiring author & community for author services feedback/promotion.
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).
- Example Commenters of Note:
- 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/Dinophage•06/03/2025
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