I may be jumping the gun a bit on this one (says the hopeful author with a freshly minted manuscript dreaming of queries) .... but.
I'm a caucasian female about to embark on my first round of queries. My married name is Perez, but I don't come from Latinx descent (I like to think I cook a mean ropa vieja these days, though). My maiden name is Kimmel, which has given me a lifetime's worth of comedy material between the mispronunciations and misspellings (Kimball, Campbell, Kimmee, Kimeel). Not to mention the connection with Jimmy Kimmel Live.
I've always considered writing under a pen name to downplay my oh-so-girly first name, but feeling torn about my last name options, too. I don't want to get stuck in the Jimmy Kimmel vortex, but I also don't want to (mis)appropriate a heritage that isn't my native voice. I'm one click away from making up a name for myself and calling it a day. Yes, I realize I'm probably overthinking this, but it feels like everything from title to author's name can impact success at all stages of the journey these days.
Anyone out there who has chosen a pen name, overthought this as much as I have, or have some insight on all things name-related?
Thanks in advance,
___(Name TBD)___
I'm a caucasian female about to embark on my first round of queries. My married name is Perez, but I don't come from Latinx descent (I like to think I cook a mean ropa vieja these days, though). My maiden name is Kimmel, which has given me a lifetime's worth of comedy material between the mispronunciations and misspellings (Kimball, Campbell, Kimmee, Kimeel). Not to mention the connection with Jimmy Kimmel Live.
I've always considered writing under a pen name to downplay my oh-so-girly first name, but feeling torn about my last name options, too. I don't want to get stuck in the Jimmy Kimmel vortex, but I also don't want to (mis)appropriate a heritage that isn't my native voice. I'm one click away from making up a name for myself and calling it a day. Yes, I realize I'm probably overthinking this, but it feels like everything from title to author's name can impact success at all stages of the journey these days.
Anyone out there who has chosen a pen name, overthought this as much as I have, or have some insight on all things name-related?
Thanks in advance,
___(Name TBD)___