Should You Use a Pen Name? The Indie Author's Guide to Writing in Multiple Genres

What do Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, and E.L. James have in common? They've all used pen names to write in different genres—King as Richard Bachman, Rowling as Robert Galbraith, and Erika Leonard as E.L. James. If you've been dreaming of branching out and writing something far outside your usual genre, you're facing the same question these bestselling authors confronted: should you use a pen name or write under your established name? For indie and self-published authors, this decision can shape your brand, build reader trust, impact online discoverability, and expand your reach. While exploring new creative territory is exciting, the wrong choice may confuse your audience and hurt your reputation.

Here are some things to consider when deciding if a pen name is right for you:

Why Famous Authors Use Pen Names (And What Indie Authors Can Learn)

The pen name isn't a new invention. Some of the biggest names in publishing have used pseudonyms strategically—and their reasons offer valuable lessons for self-published authors navigating the same terrain.

Back in the late 1970s and early 80s, Stephen King's publishers were worried that if he released more than one book a year, readers might get overwhelmed and his sales would dip. But, King was continuing to write regularly, and he'd started to wonder: was it really his writing that readers loved, or was it simply that his name sold books, no matter what?

Thus, Richard Bachman was born. King published several novels and novellas under this pen name, including Thinner and The Long Walk. His Bachman books made modest sales, but when it was eventually revealed that Bachman was actually Stephen King, their sales skyrocketed, proving that name recognition really mattered. However, the experiment gave him permission to explore different themes and styles without the pressure of reader expectations.

Lesson for indie authors: Experiment safely with new ideas beyond your established author brand

After finishing the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling released The Casual Vacancy—her first adult novel—under her own name. The novel received mixed reviews, partly because readers expected Harry Potter and got something completely different.

When she decided to write crime fiction, Rowling chose to do so under the name Robert Galbraith. With him came the Cormoran Strike series—smart, gritty detective novels aimed directly at adult crime fiction fans. The first book was warmly received by critics and had a solid start for a debut mystery novel. Once word got out that Rowling was actually Galbraith, sales soared, and both author identities thrived. Harry Potter fans didn't feel betrayed, and Strike fans felt validated that they'd discovered quality work on its own terms.

Lesson for indie authors: Genre separation protects reader trust

Before Fifty Shades of Grey became a cultural phenomenon, it was merely Twilight fanfiction written by someone using the pen name Snowqueens Icedragon. When Erika Leonard decided to rework the story for publication, she had to work around the fact that the content was explicit, dramatically different from anything associated with young adult fiction, and needed distance from its fanfiction origins to be taken seriously as an original work.

E.L. James was the solution. The pen name created a fresh identity and allowed the work to be marketed as contemporary erotica to its ideal audience—adult readers looking for steamy romance—without any confusion about content or expectations. The strategy worked spectacularly, and the book launched a bestselling trilogy and film franchise. Would it have succeeded as well under her real name with all the baggage that came with it? Possibly. But the pen name gave the book a clean slate and a targeted brand identity that matched its content perfectly.

Lesson for indie authors: Sometimes content itself demands a separate identity

The Common Thread? Strategy, Not Secrecy

All three authors took a strategic approach to pen names—not to hide, but to create room for growth, experimentation, and audience alignment. Used thoughtfully, a pen name is just a tool—effective for separating genres or reader groups, but unnecessary if your brand already fits your goals.

When Do You Actually Need a Pen Name?

When Your Genres are Dramatically Different

While not every genre switch means you need a brand-new identity, there are times when it’s worth considering a pen name—especially if you’re planning a bold jump into a very different genre, like:

Writing rom-coms is your bread and butter, but you want to publish that gothic horror novel you've been working on
Deciding to take a break from your usual psychological suspense thrillers to see if your middle-grade novel will resonate with young readers

If your chosen genres appeal to very different audiences, blending them under the same name might leave readers unsure of what to expect—and could even lead to confusion about your brand.

When Your Heat Levels Don't Match

Maybe you're a romance writer at heart, and you've been thinking of taking the spice level up a few notches with a new series aimed at a completely different audience. If so, using a pen name might be the right move for you.

Making a move from sweet and clean romances to more explicit content signals an obvious need for separation of your target audiences
It's important to respect your readers' content expectations

Your existing readers deserve the clarity of knowing what they're getting. A pen name protects both audiences.

You're Exploring a New Genre Before Committing

Testing out a completely different genre without attaching your established name gives you room to learn, make mistakes, and potentially fail without damaging your primary brand.

Using a pen name gives you the opportunity to learn the conventions and reader expectations that come with writing in a new genre

If your current readers would say "this isn't what I signed up for," you probably need a pen name

Use of a pen name gives you permission to experiment without the pressures of disappointing your loyal readership.

When You Can Probably Skip It

Creating a pen name isn't always necessary. You might want to continue to write under your existing name when:

The Genres Overlap and Attract Similar Readers

Women's fiction and contemporary romance audiences frequently cross over
Romantic suspense and mystery thrillers often attract the same audiences
Literary fiction readers tend to be open to a range of genres and they often expect and welcome experimentation

This lets you leverage your current fanbase and introduce readers to your new genre without having to manage separate pen names or platforms.

You're Established Enough to Bring Readers Along with You

Seasoned authors with a devoted audience often have the flexibility to cross genres
Your ability to do the same will depend on the connection you've built with your audience

The reality is that most indie authors aren't here yet, but you need to follow the path that you feel works the best for you. Be thoughtful and intentional in making your decision.

Your Readers Have Asked For It

If your followers or newsletter subscribers consistently ask when you'll write in a particular genre, they're telling you they'll follow you there
Embracing their interest can strengthen your reader relationships, build a supportive community across genres, and make introducing your next project feel seamless

In these cases, your audience is not only giving you permission but actively encouraging you to expand your creative horizons.

For a deeper dive, watch this video with marketing expert and author Desireé Duffy, in which she discusses the pros and cons of writing under a pen name.

Strategic Implementation: Getting It Right

If you've decided a pen name makes sense for your career, approach it methodically:

Establish Your Primary Brand First

A common pitfall for new indie authors is jumping into multiple pen names before their first one has had the chance to really take off.

Build your author name to at least 3-5 books with consistent monthly income before focusing any of your energy on a second brand. This foundation ensures you have the resources and knowledge to launch your pen name successfully.

Have a Clear Understanding of Your Goals

Are you launching this pen name for creative fulfillment, income diversification, or both? Your motivation shapes your strategy.

A passion project might warrant a slower build, while a strategic business expansion requires a more aggressive launch and marketing approach

Create Distinct Brand Identities

Your pen names should look, sound, and feel different. This includes:

Designing covers that match each genre expectation
Choosing unique author photos (or none at all for privacy)
Creating a distinct voice and tone for newsletters and social media
Building different website designs and color schemes for each brand

Use Helpful Tools to Simplify the Process

Successful multi-genre authors rely on smart strategies and digital tools, such as:

Creating dedicated email addresses for each author identity
Scheduling social media posts in advance with platforms like Buffer or Hootsuite

Using project management systems to stay on top of deadlines and marketing plans

Apply the 80/20 Rule

Most profitable multi-genre authors focus 80% of their effort on their bestselling pen name and 20% on developing secondary brands.

This prevents burnout while still making progress on all fronts

Making Your Decision

Writing in multiple genres under different pen names can be creatively fulfilling and financially rewarding—if you approach it strategically.

Ultimately, the best path is the one that fits your goals, resources, and personal style. If you thrive on organization, enjoy variety, and are energized by the challenge of building multiple brands, pen names can help you reach your full potential as an indie author. On the other hand, if you find the most satisfaction in digging deep and mastering a single genre, focusing on your main brand might be the smartest move.

The indie publishing landscape rewards both approaches. The key is knowing yourself well enough to choose the path that leads to sustainable creative and financial success—however you choose to define it.