Why a Pen Name?

I have been asked why I am using a couple of different pen names now. I am writing thrillers that are pretty dark and a bit twisted, as well as ramping up the romance in them versus the light romance I write in my mysteries. I am writing these types of books under the pen name A.K. Alexander. I actually wrote them many years ago and had sent them out prior to having an agent. One of the scripts was actually picked out of a slush pile and went rounds at Harper. At the time (7 years ago) I kept thinking "this is it," because the editor even contacted me over the phone! However, after nine months of waiting, I received a letter that stated it wouldn't fit into their line. I was so disappointed that I can remember standing in my kitchen in tears. My middle kid who was nine at the time came in and saw me crying. He asked me why. I told him that I didn't think I could keep on writing. I had finally reached a point where I felt beat. I had been submitting for 12 years at that stage with continual rejection. I had completed 8 manuscripts. I figured that maybe it was time to quit.


However, my son said to me, "Don't you know, Mom, that God wouldn't have made you a writer if he didn't think you could do it." Okay, so how do you quit after that? You don't! I didn't. I went on to write Murder Uncorked and got an agent and within two weeks had a three book deal with Penguin. I have now sold nine books with them.

As the state of publishing changes, I realize as a mid-list author it is vital I change with it or get left behind.That is not an option. I LOVE to write. So, I am continuing to write and learn as much as I can about e-publishing and self-publishing.

I know I am now off on a tangent here, so I will get back to why a pen name. I am writing under a pen name for my thrillers because they are so different from my mysteries. They are a separate "brand." This way a reader doesn't get confused when they download a Michele Scott book versus an A.K. Alexander book or a Sofia Cruz book. I used that pen name for my book "The Cartel." It's not a thriller in the vein of the A.K. Alexander books but it is dark and has lots of sex and violence and the subject matter is very different from my thrillers, and definitely different from my mysteries.

I was wondering who else is using pen names out there and if so, what is your reasoning? Do you think it's a good idea?

Thank You!

Cheers,

Michele