10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Why should you use a pen name for kindle?

by coreytucker
8 replies
I hear people say again and again to use a pen name for kindle. Why is that if your sticking in one niche? Why is not wise to use your real name?

Also if im enrolled in KDP Select can I post my kindle book on other sites for promotion?
#kindle #pen
  • Profile picture of the author coreytucker
    could I just use my real name?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8296798].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author TinkBD
      It depends on what you are writing... If you are writing Fiction, using a pen name can help delineate genres...

      If you are writing non-fiction, not using a pen name may raise eyebrows regarding expertise. In other words, how can one person be an expert in so many different niches?

      And yes, at any point you can use your real name... as long as you have considered your options and strategies.

      No, you can't sell your digital book anywhere other than Amazon if you sign up for KDP Select. They demand exclusivity.

      However, in many niches and genres, authors are beginning to feel that Select is no longer worth exclusivity... that the Select train has left the station.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8296814].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author marc@clickbitz
        The KDP terms and conditions

        1 Exclusivity. When you include a Digital Book in KDP Select, you give us the exclusive right to sell and distribute your Digital Book in digital format while your book is in KDP Select. During this period of exclusivity, you cannot sell or distribute, or give anyone else the right to sell or distribute, your Digital Book (or a book that is substantially similar), in digital format in any territory where you have rights.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8296829].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author coreytucker
          Originally Posted by marc@clickbitz View Post

          The KDP terms and conditions

          1 Exclusivity. When you include a Digital Book in KDP Select, you give us the exclusive right to sell and distribute your Digital Book in digital format while your book is in KDP Select. During this period of exclusivity, you cannot sell or distribute, or give anyone else the right to sell or distribute, your Digital Book (or a book that is substantially similar), in digital format in any territory where you have rights.
          But does this mean I cannot post my amazon link to promotion places? Like I want to tweet my book, make a facebook page for it, send it to free book giveaway sites etc. Like I want to do a launch so to speak

          I think I will just use my real name. I am working in the childrens book niche. I mean how could using my real name hurt my sales?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8296851].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author LilBlackDress
            Originally Posted by coreytucker View Post

            But does this mean I cannot post my amazon link to promotion places? Like I want to tweet my book, make a facebook page for it, send it to free book giveaway sites etc. Like I want to do a launch so to speak

            I think I will just use my real name. I am working in the childrens book niche. I mean how could using my real name hurt my sales?
            You can use your real name. I would just suggest separating niches. So if you write a book on curing hemorrhoids don't mix it with the same pen name that writes your kid book.

            You can tweet and promote your book, you just can't sell it in digital form if you are enrolled in KDP Select. So you can Tweet about the book and then send potential buyers to Amazon. In digital form it must be sold exclusively at Amazon. You can still tell the world about it!

            KDP Select does work. It is not the bonanza it once was but it still can be very beneficial in attracting new readers and royalties from Amazon Prime members if you use it properly.
            Signature

            Pen Name + 8 eBooks + social media sites 4 SALE - PM me (evergreen beauty niche)

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8296873].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Marketing Fool
    Yeah you can definitely use your real name...especially if you're staying in one niche.

    Pen names make the most sense when you're doing lots of different niches...and they can be niche specific. You might use an elderly woman's name for a knitting book, a masculine man's name for a book about fixing up old cars, etc etc.

    But there's no set in stone rule for this...do what you want :-)
    Signature
    Learn to CODE at Codemy.com - It's Pretty Awesome!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8297317].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TemperThompson
    Use different names for different genres. If you write under all genres in the same name, customers may get suspicious. I use many random names, as well as my own name.
    For example, you don't want to write a book about ghost stories or fiction and then write a book about "how to make money on Kindle" under the same name.
    Signature

    [ATTENTION AFFILIATES:] Want to earn 100% commission on a powerful Kindle offer converting at over 20%? Go check out my JV page here:
    http://temperthompson.com/affiliates...ndle-promo-jv/

    Any questions at all? Feel free to send me a message.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8304224].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BobTheBostonian
    Why should you use a pen name for kindle?

    I don't need anyone knowing which porn I wrote.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8304323].message }}

Trending Topics