Concerning Pseudonyms and other Publishing Perils

[Teresa Edgerton]

No, that's not a stupid question. People arrive at pseudonyms in all sorts of different ways. Alis Rasmussen, for instance, took a last name from a favorite Jane Austen character, and became Kate Elliott. Some writers will take a family name from a few generations back. Michelle Sagara became Michelle West -- West being her husband's last name which she hadn't used before. Sometimes romance writers are required to take a name which then belongs to the publishing house -- so that if they leave they won't "take" their fans with them -- and I suppose such names are chosen to somehow appeal to the tastes of romance readers.

All of which leads into the answer to your question. I proposed several alternatives to my editor. Some were family names, like Marjorie Fleming, which was my great-grandmother's maiden name. (It was no Claire DeWitt, but perhaps you'll appreciate that I did consider a name with some connection to the Dutch-speaking part of the world.) I couldn't go with the married name, because I was using that already, and I'd never much cared for my maiden name. (Also, it begins with a "W" and I didn't want to end up near the bottom of the last shelf. I grew up as a "W" and I can tell you it wasn't pretty -- I was exceedingly pleased when I married an "E" to take his last name.) One of the alternatives I suggested was Robin Carstares, which was a little joke of mine, that being one of the aliases of the hero in one of my previous books. Taking a cue from my friend Alis (her pseudonym having served her so very well) I combined the names of two of my favorite Austen heroines, and suggested Eliza Woodhouse.

But my editor didn't like any of these. You would think that wouldn't have been an issue, since a) the main requirement was disguise and b) if I had been a new author and any of those had been my real name no one would have thought for a moment about my using anything else. Despite all that, she didn't want me to use any of those names. Finally, I proposed Madeline as a first name, since it was one I always liked and had almost used for a character once. My editor was fine with that, but it finally came out that she had definite ideas about the last name. She wanted it to begin with an "H" or an "I" so that it would be positioned in bookstores between Hobb and Jordan. (If you look at the list in the Authors section here at Chronicles, you will see that Madeline Howard is indeed flanked by Robin Hobb and Robert Jordan. I expect she would be very pleased about that.) So then it was her turn to start proposing surnames and my turn to start rejecting them. (I was the one who was going to be using the name, after all, and if anyone had a right to be fussy, you would think it would be me.)

Finally we came up with an "H" name that we both liked: Madeline Hunter. It had a sort of 1930's movie star or femme fatale in a hardboiled detective novel that appealed to me. But when one of us Googled that name to see if someone else was using it, it turned out there was already a Madeline Hunter writing romance novels. So we went back to my editor suggesting names and me rejecting them. A wearisome process. Finally, when we were both ready to scream with frustration, she suggested the last name of Howard. I didn't dislike it. Having grown up reading historical novels, it made me think of a certain powerful aristocratic family under the Tudors. So just to be done with it I said, yes, let's go with Madeline Howard. Thinking about it later, it still had some of that old time movie actor glamour, as in Leslie Howard. Strangely enough, it was months before something clicked in my brain and I made the Robert Howard connection.

And that's how I became Madeline Howard instead of Claire DeWitt or anybody else.

[Marky Lazer]

Interesting. Especially the part of the 'H' and the rejection of your earlier proposed names...

[Marky Lazer]

Now after this insightful experience... Let us take bets what Mark's real name is

[Teresa Edgerton]

I know that was meant as a mere pleasantry, Marky, but it seems like the general reading public really does have some strange idea that everyone is writing under a pseudonym, whereas it's the exception not the rule.

I used to get quite testy when people asked me what name I wrote under, though I generally managed not to snarl at them or make any of the sarcastic remarks that came to mind. I thought they were either incredibly naive, or that it was a not-so-veiled way of saying, "If you're a writer, why have I never heard of you?" Which would also be naive, arising from the assumption that all writers must be rich and famous. So being asked that question always set my teeth on edge, and put me in a decidedly uncharitable frame of mind.

Now I can't help thinking of that Robin Williams line from Dead Again, "Thanks to Karma, the only cosmic law with a sense of humor ..."

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by Marky Lazer

Now after this insightful experience... Let us take bets what Mark's real name is

I think it's time for a Monty Python quote:

'From now on I want to be called Loretta!'

[Marky Lazer]

I can do that!!

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by Marky Lazer

I can do that!!

LOL! I should clarify that Mark Robson is my real name, but I'll answer to most things. Oiy, you, works quite well! I never expected my books to sell in the way they have, so when I published my books I saw no need for a pseudonym. To be honest, in my case I still see no need for one. There are very few authors that become famous enough that they are pestered by press, or people wanting autographs. I am always flattered if someone recognises me.

[Brown Rat]

An Edgerton by any other name is still a mighty fine writer.

Just checking in to say "hi," Teresa, from one formerly known as Rathilda.

[Teresa Edgerton]

I thought it would be you under that thinnest of disguises, Rathilda.

And I'm glad you finally stopped by.

[Gladestrider]

How exciting to find out that there are other books out there for me to read! And here, I thought I was going to have to wait for the next in the RoU series! Now, all I have to do is get used to referring to you as Teresa...

Regarding the tracking down of Teresa's works, my favorite site for finding used books is the ABE Book Exchange Click the link to see what's availble of Teresa's (316 books as of this posting).

Jeff

[enchanted_ghost2001]

Thanks for posting this. I already have all her books but I am sure others will find this helpful. All of Teresa's book are well worth the effort of getting them.

[Gladestrider]

As a follow-up, I managed to find Goblin Moon and The Gnomes Engine (both out of print) on eBay.

I also wanted to mention that while I do use both of these sources for used books, I generally only do so to get a signed or out-of-print copy. To support my favorite authors, I try very hard to always buy new copies whenever possible!

[The Ace]

I still remember a story told by an ex-goalkeeper from Glasgow when he gave someone his name;
"Are you the famous James Herriot ?"
"No, I'm the real James Herriot."

The vet picked his nom de guerre from a Rangers team sheet.