Emily
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Did you ever debate what your "author name" would be? I'm assuming the "J" is to distinguish you from other Michael Sullivans, but did you ever consider a variation of that or using a pen name?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Emily...thanks for asking. Boy did I have a long debate about the name I write under. My Irish Catholic roots are showing, and man there are a ton of authors named Michael Sullivan. I did indeed add the J. to try to differentiate myself but even that doesn't help because there are at least 4 Michael J. Sullivan's that I know of who write!
Here are just some of the examples of the "other" Sullivans
* A mathematician that has written dozens of college text books on statistics, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
* An author of boy's fiction similar to the Goosebumps franchise
* The author of Necessary Heartbreak (who was using Michael J. Sullivan but now goes by Michael John Sullivan to try to keep the two of us from being confused).
* An author of eastern art books
* A sports author
* An author who writes about beer and wine
* An author who wrote about U.S. Presidents
* An author who writes about Digimon
* A non-fiction author who writes about the mentally ill and substance abuse
* An author who wrote a reference book about Clinical Denestry
* An author who writes about Russian History
* An author who writes about Political and International Relations
So yes, when I finally got published I had to think long and hard about what name I should do it under. At the end of the day, I've always wanted to be a writer and in some deluded portion of my mind I hoped that my name would be remembered once I was gone. So, ultimately I went with keeping the name my parents bestowed on me. If search engines can be believed, I've pretty much risen to dominate that name from a writing perspective, and even hold my own with the Michael Sullivan who was a former U.S. District Attorney and Director of the ATF. It's a tough name to stand out with, but it's mine so I'm going to keep it.
Here are just some of the examples of the "other" Sullivans
* A mathematician that has written dozens of college text books on statistics, algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
* An author of boy's fiction similar to the Goosebumps franchise
* The author of Necessary Heartbreak (who was using Michael J. Sullivan but now goes by Michael John Sullivan to try to keep the two of us from being confused).
* An author of eastern art books
* A sports author
* An author who writes about beer and wine
* An author who wrote about U.S. Presidents
* An author who writes about Digimon
* A non-fiction author who writes about the mentally ill and substance abuse
* An author who wrote a reference book about Clinical Denestry
* An author who writes about Russian History
* An author who writes about Political and International Relations
So yes, when I finally got published I had to think long and hard about what name I should do it under. At the end of the day, I've always wanted to be a writer and in some deluded portion of my mind I hoped that my name would be remembered once I was gone. So, ultimately I went with keeping the name my parents bestowed on me. If search engines can be believed, I've pretty much risen to dominate that name from a writing perspective, and even hold my own with the Michael Sullivan who was a former U.S. District Attorney and Director of the ATF. It's a tough name to stand out with, but it's mine so I'm going to keep it.
More Answered Questions
Weston Kincade
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
In my experience a good small to midsize publisher can be quite helpful, but I've wondered if, or when, authors should branch out? When in an author's career would it be a good idea to query the big 5 or an agent with a new book (as in, when are they likely to really consider your work since they take so few authors early in their careers)? Or would you advise going that route at all?
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