Renaming and Identity

[rj_anderson]

Well, I couldn't get the LJ fairy to respond to my request to remove the defunct rjanderson feed, so I did the next best thing. Now I'm signed up as some variation of "R.J. Anderson" almost everywhere I have an online presence, and folks here will no longer have to struggle to remember how to spell "synaesthete7".

But I've been curious about something. If you're a published or soon-to-be published author with a background in online fandom, would you mind telling me what you decided to do with that background once your deal went through, and why?

If you chose to separate your fannish and professional identities, for instance, what factors influenced that decision? Was it your agent's recommendation to hide your secret Bat-identity, or did your publisher require it, or was it just something you felt would be prudent? If the decision was mostly yours, did you make it because you were embarrassed by the thought of people digging up your old fanfics, or because you worried about possible legal repercussions, or because you feared that your fellow pro authors would despise you if they knew? Or was there some other reason?

If on the other hand you've chosen not to hide your former (or present) fannish involvement, what gave you the confidence to make that decision? Have you had any unpleasant experiences that make you wish you'd chosen differently? Or have you found reasons to be glad you made that decision, and if so, what were they?

For my part, I've decided to write under the same pen name I've used for years, and keep my fanfic links page as part of my author site. I've been open about my fanfic writing past with both my agent and my new editor, and neither of them seems to think it's a problem, so I'm going ahead and hoping for the best. But sometimes I wonder if I'm going to regret that choice.

I'd love to get as much input on this as possible, so if you know of someone who fits the bill, please give them the heads-up. Anonymous commenting is welcome for authors who prefer to be discreet.

Comments

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

YOU CHANGED! IT'S LIKE THERE'S A STRANGER ON MY FLIST!

Re: changing identities, it's not as if you have masses of Harry/squid chan to embarrass you, or even G-rated slash that non-fen might take amiss. You've got it quite easy. *grin*

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I KNOW! I FEEL LIKE A STRANGER TOO! I EVEN SHED A TEAR WHEN I CASHED IN MY RENAME TOKEN!

And this is true about my general lack of embarrassing or potentially controversial fic. Phew.

[risti.livejournal.com]

Had to add that your fandom name isn't mrssnape or sevvilvr, either.

My 2 cents

I keep my online life seperated from my professional, work life, mainly because I don't want coworkers I see everyday to know of my fannish tendencies.

That said, if being well known in fandom were to ever help me in RL, I'd be all over opening up the connection (after taking a little while to filter away a few things).

Then, if (this is purely hypothetical for me, quite possible for you) I suddenly became famous, I'd probably create a new online name to hide from people and just have fun.

[narcissam.livejournal.com]

WAit till they find out you once suggested James used a Love Potion on Lily. Then the game will be up.

Congrats, btw.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Wait till they find out you once suggested James used a Love Potion on Lily

He totally DID, though. I still believe it. I mean, it's not like JKR ever gave us any logical bridge between "he's an arrogant toerag" and Lily/James OTP.

[firebyrd.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what I thought. "Who is rj_anderson and why are they suddenly on my friends list? I don't remember friending anyone named that!"

I don't think I said this before, but congrats on the contract, RJ!

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thank you!