Can I write in more than one genre?

Helen_Davis · Post by **Helen_Davis** » Fri December 21st, 2012, 8:11 pm

I write mainly HF/alternate history. But I tried my hand at some fantasy and I really am pleased. Should I use a pen name? Or what are your thoughts about authors writing more than one genre?

erechwydd · Post by **erechwydd** » Fri December 21st, 2012, 9:22 pm

Pen names I think can help avoid readers bringing preconceptions to a story, based on what else the author has written, that might result in negative comparisons because the other genre (or even subject - thinking of Lindsey Davis' switch from Roman mystery to Civil War epic) isn't said readers' cup of tea. I suppose it does depend on how different you think the genres are and whether you think people reading one might or might not be interested in the other.

I don't see why a writer shouldn't write in more than one genre if that's what they enjoy doing, as long as they're prepared for the increase in work.

Glad that your fantasy writing worked so well for you.

Helen_Davis · Post by **Helen_Davis** » Fri December 21st, 2012, 10:52 pm

Yes I am thinking of pen names at the moment.

LoveHistory · Post by **LoveHistory** » Sat December 22nd, 2012, 1:25 am

Of course you can. Plenty of authors do that. Nora Roberts is known for romance but she also writes mysteries under another name. Using another name is a good idea. Just make sure you do research to try to avoid choosing one that someone else is using.

fljustice · Post by **fljustice** » Sat December 22nd, 2012, 4:16 pm

You can write in as many genres as you want and have as many pen names as you want. Dean Wesley Smith did a great post on the history of pen names and why current writers might want to use one...or not. Check it out here:

http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=7849

John Sliz · Post by **John Sliz** » Wed April 3rd, 2013, 12:11 pm

Good piece. Thanks for posting it.

John Sliz · Post by **John Sliz** » Wed April 3rd, 2013, 12:13 pm

[quote=""Helen_Davis""]I write mainly HF/alternate history. But I tried my hand at some fantasy and I really am pleased. Should I use a pen name? Or what are your thoughts about authors writing more than one genre?[/quote]

I use my full name for my military books and J.R. Sliz for my novels. It is a subtle difference, but one that I think keeps things apart.

Read the article posted above.

njslater · Post by **njslater** » Fri May 17th, 2013, 8:48 am

Why be genre bound? My first novel is set in the times of the Napoleonic Wars, my second Victorian London but my next will be a sci-fi thriller set in the present day. I flatter myself that I am a story-teller so stories I will tell.