If you’ve ever visited my Smashwords author page, you might have noticed a book called The Do-Nothing Day that is about snuggly teddy bears and written for a target audience of four year olds. It was written and illustrated in roughly 2001, along with ten others, and they have since darkened my hard drive. Though, I originally uploaded it so people with questions could see what Smashwords books with images looked like, the book has gotten enough downloads that I’ve decided to upload the other ten as well. However, I’m not so sure that mixing children’s books and adult books is wise.
My vampire books aren’t erotica, but there’s enough of a difference that I wouldn’t want someone to judge either set of books based on the other. I already have enough of a fight convincing people that my vampires are not YA (thanks again, Twilight), and mixing kiddie books into my account isn’t going to help. But, I don’t see why someone shouldn’t be enjoying them. They are pretty cute, after all.
So, now comes the fun, interactive part of the blog where you get to cast your votes on what my pen name should be! Leave your vote in the comments or, if you have a better suggestion, then leave it, too. I’ll probably cross post this all over, but in the end I’ll compile them all together and whatever wins is the name I will use.
- J. Harris-Naylor
- J.R. Harris
- Roey Harris
- Sintiel Quen
- Nic Constantinescu
- Alex Marshall
All the names come from various things I’ve done over the years. I could give you lengthy explanations, but I’ll refrain. I will say one of them is elvish.
Look forward to seeing what everyone thinks!
Reena Jacobs
/ February 9, 2011I’m going to cast my vote for J.R. Harris. It’s easy to remember and pronounce. My second choice would be Roey Harris. Though it might be a little bit harder to get across in a verbal conversation, it’s unique enough to make an impression.
I’m not so fond of the hyphenated name. Alex Marshall seems a bit masculine in my mind. The other two are too hard to pronounce and remember.
Joleene Naylor
/ February 10, 2011Thanks, Reena! Those are my two favs, too.
Anya Kelleye
/ February 9, 2011I like J.R. Harris too. Simple and easy.
Joleene Naylor
/ February 10, 2011Thanks, Anya
Ruth Ann Nordin
/ February 9, 2011I agree with J.R. Harris. The simplicity is why. I’d be able to remember that name better off the top of my head, and I think it also says ‘Children’s Author’ better than the others. I can see a kid having an easier time saying it as well. Roey would be my second choice.
Now, should you venture down the erotic path, I can see Sintiel Quen being pretty cool for that.
Joleene Naylor
/ February 10, 2011Thanks, Ruth.
Ha ha! Yeah, I like that name, though it sounds more like a romance novelist, doesn’t it?
Sharon Clark
/ February 9, 2011I like Roey Harris. I think it rolls off the tongue nicely and just kind of sounds fun and young. I *think* I could guess which one is Elvish, LOL! J.R. Harris would be a second choice for me, but I’ll bet you have a leaning already…
Joleene Naylor
/ February 10, 2011Thanks, Sharon! Yeah, it seems everyone agrees on those two, LOL!
Edie Ramer
/ February 9, 2011My first choice was Roey Harris, but then I changed my mind. I always thought if I had a pen name, I’d keep my first name. In case the books became wildly popular and I had to do TV appearances. What if I used a different first name for my pseudonym and the interviewer called me by it? I might sit there with a stupid look on my face, wondering who she’s talking to.
So I’ll pick J.R. Harris. Besides, look how good initials worked for JK Rowling.
Joleene Naylor
/ February 10, 2011You know, I never thought of that! That would be embarrassing, wouldn’t it? Just sitting there, staring into space while everyone;s waiting!
Tolkien and VC Andrews did pretty good with initials, too
Different genres, though, LOL!
Bonnie Mutchler
/ February 9, 2011J>R. Harris
Joleene Naylor
/ February 10, 2011You just like that coz you came up with it
LOL!!
Alannah Murphy
/ February 10, 2011I vote for JR Harris, it’s flows well and it’s memorable, easy to remember as well.
Joleene Naylor
/ February 10, 2011Thanks, Alannah! That name served me well for 19 years
Stephannie Beman
/ February 10, 2011For my vote I say you use Jo Naylor. I know it’s not on the list, but I think I might be easier for people to remember, especially kids.
Joleene Naylor
/ February 10, 2011That’s what Jonathan is voting for, too
Artswebshow
/ February 10, 2011Call yourself (and i mean this purely in a jokey kind of way, not nasty at all)
Because of the vampire theme you could call yourself ‘the bloody woman’
I think that would catch the interest of many people
Joleene Naylor
/ February 12, 2011LOL!
Sharon
/ February 11, 2011JR Harris will attract the most attention. There are so many famous JR’s and Harris’s out there .
Joleene Naylor
/ February 12, 2011us J people are just everywhere
Thanks for the vote, Sharon! 
Barb
/ February 15, 2011I like Stephannie Beman suggestion! So, will you open another Smashwords account? I’m asking because I plan on using different pen-names too to write in different genres… so I guess it means more than one account, right? Sigh…
Joleene Naylor
/ February 15, 2011Counting Jonathan that makes three
Yeah, as far as I can see it involves having more than one account. The one I most curious about is how to transfer the book to another author I wrote Mark and he said yes, I could do that, but not sure how, so will have to mail them again when I get ready to do it. This also means a second email address, all for freebies, LOL!
Barb
/ February 16, 2011I’ve seen yesterday the option “Update to Publisher status” which is also for Authors that use two or more pen-names… I think I’ll try that one (I do have my own “imprint” on Lulu, Unicorn Productions, I could apply it to Smashwords as well…) at least on Smashwords (still need a Unicorn Productions e-mail account)… what do you think?
Joleene Naylor
/ February 16, 2011Oh yeah! If you have an imprint already I bet that would be way easier! You might not even need more than one account, that way. I like that name, by the way. Unicorn Productions
thejissilly
/ February 17, 2011What if you went with “J. Triple R. Harris” That would be something
thejissilly
/ February 17, 2011yeah