Sunday, April 8, 2012

Pseudonyms; or How Susan is Becoming Isabella

Sunday, April 8, 2012
Susan/Isabella reporting:

Pseudonyms, or pen names, have a long history in publishing, especially for women. In the past, women writers often assumed a male name to give their books credibility with editors and readers skeptical of a female pen: Currer Bell (Charlotte Bronte), George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans), Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen). I can think of only one case when a woman writer with a male-sounding first name switched to one that was more feminine: Howard Allen O'Brien publishes as Anne Rice.

Sometimes women writers choose a pen name to separate themselves from their husbands and families, and sometimes, too,  a pen name works because it's shorter and easier to remember than the real name: the single-named Colette (Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette.) Modern writers often choose a second name to signal readers that they're writing a different kind of book Nora Roberts writes traditional romance/women's fiction; as J.D. Robb, she writes futuristic suspense. I'm sure you can think of more examples - once you start, it's hard to stop.

All of which is a roundabout way of explaining that this summer I'll be launching an exciting new series of historical romances under a new name: Isabella Bradford. Scheduled for release at the end of July, When You Wish Upon a Duke is the first of three books (published by Ballantine/Random House) following the romantic escapades of the irrepressible Wylder sisters – escapades that make them the talk of Georgian London, and a passionate challenge to the trio of dukes who fall in love with them. You won't have long to wait for the next book in the series, either.  When the Duchess Says Yes will be released in late September, and When the Duke Found Love in late November.

I'll be writing more here on the blog about the historical background to the books over the coming months (as well as launching an Isabella Bradford website), but in the meantime, I'll be adding Isabella's name to my posts here as well. A bit awkward, I know, but then we Geminis are accustomed to having multiple identities.

What about my historical novels written as Susan Holloway Scott? For now, I'm taking a short break from historical fiction to focus on Isabella Bradford. But don't be surprised if some historical story suddenly bubbles up from my imagination and research to become a new book.

11 comments:

Sandra Gulland said...

Exciting move, Susan!

Marg said...

Yay! I'm just glad to hear that there are new books coming out from you, whichever name or genre you are writing in!

Marg said...

P.S. Your link to Amazon isn't working!

T said...

need to be able to pre-order the third book on kindle! Good luck with Isabella!

Elizabeth Kerri Mahon said...

Congratulations Susan! I was a huge fan of your colonial era set historical romances written as your other alter ego Miranda Jarrett as well as your historical fiction writen as Susan Holloway Scott.

Anonymous said...

Major congrats on the new books! Can't wait to read these new ones, sounds like a great series.

Leslie Carroll said...

Huge congratulations -- from someone who can truly relate (Leslie/Amanda/Juliet)

Isabella Bradford/Susan Holloway Scott said...

Many thanks for all the kind words and congratulations!

Marg, the link is fixed - thanks for pointing it out - and thank you for being so eager for the new books. You've always led my "fan club" on the other side of the world.

Elizabeth Kerri - it's been a long time since Miranda-days, but nice to hear you still remember her fondly. *g*

T, the third book should be available on kindle soon. Keep looking...

Leslie/Amanda/Juliet - haha, yes, sometimes one does have remember who one (or two,or three) is today, right?

textilehistorIE said...

Very best of luck in the new name and series!

nightsmusic said...

Ooooh!!! New stories! And congrats on the new series. :o)

Laura said...

Just finished When You Wish Upon a Duke! One of the best books I have read in a long time! I went to Amazon and ordered the next 2 books! Thanks for such a great book!

 
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