I've mentioned a few times on previous blogs that in addition to reading and reviewing romance novels on RNFF, and writing scholarship on children's literature, both of which I do under my legal name, I've also been experimenting with writing historical romance fiction. As of this writing, none of that fiction has been published. But I've been thinking hard about the benefits and the pitfalls of self-publishing for a while now, and, since last fall, I've been putting together business plans and budgets and marketing ideas with an eye towards releasing my own novels, without the help of a traditional print publisher.
I am planning to publish my fiction using a pseudonym.
I am not planning to keep it a secret, though, that Jackie Horne and Bliss Bennet, the pen name I've chosen for my historical writer persona, are the same person. On my new author web site, I've included my photograph, along with a mention of my alter blogger ego. And I'm announcing it here, too, so that authors and readers of this blog will know that I wear multiple hats.
For the record, I do not think it was ethical of Jane Litte of Dear Author to not reveal her dual identities from online author communities who knew her only as Jen Frederick, romance author. And while keeping her author persona secret from Dear Author's readers does not seem quite as ethically fraught, I do think it betrayed the trust of her colleagues and coworkers on the blog to keep them in the dark.
But I do think it is possible for an author to also be a book reviewer, and do it in an ethical manner.
And I'm going to try to do so.
I hope you'll tell me if you think I'm doing it wrong, and/or offer suggestions about how to do it right.
Jackie: I'm biased, but it is entirely possible to be both an author and a book reviewer. Just as long as you answer any questions people might have regarding either of your hats, and you keep things as transparent as possible.
ReplyDeleteBear in mind the avid romance reviewer/blogger arena is a small one, and so in the grand context of things, your doing one thing or another won't matter that much, but in terms of feeling comfortable with what you're doing, that's all that matters.
Good luck!
Thanks, Megan. It's good to hear from someone who has sat on both sides of the fence...
DeleteI just commented on this situation over at the comment thread at AAR here: The whole situation stinks. http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=15864&cpage=1#comment-176591
ReplyDeleteEngage in real full disclosure, and you should be fine. For a role model as to what full disclosure means, you can't do better than Courtney Milan.
-lawless523
I don't know about your pen name. "Bliss Bennet" would not lead me to expect a serious, historically accurate novel that I hope you produce. More likely one that's light and has a muscular bare chest and/or flowing hair with cleavage on the cover. Since I'm now informed, I will give it a try, but still....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jackie. I appreciate the heads up on your pen name because I've always liked your blog and I'd love to review your books once there are books. But I would also want to disclose our relationship, such as it is--a prodigious amount of lengthy blog comments and a few emails ;-) I'm pleased you've chosen to handle it this way with everything out in the open. It's honest and brave and I'm happy for you. I hope you do really well.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started writing, I was blogging a lot and doing book reviews, because I was trying to verbalize what worked for me and what didn't...an online book report, I guess. When I knew I was going to be published, I took those reviews down...I didn't want to ever say anything negative about another author's work as Teri Anne Stanley (my pen name).
ReplyDeleteI do, however, post Amazon reviews under my "real" account. And I don't publish one unless I can give it four or five stars. Is that promotion, rather than critique? Yeah, probably. But its the best I can do to follow the "if you can't say something nice..." Rule and being honest.
What you're doing here, tho, is different. You've got reviews, yes, but you are looking at literature for a specific purpose--how does this piece mesh with feminism? I think that's a different kind of review than "was this a good book?"
MY two cents are that unless you're dogging other historical authors, you're good!
When I started writing, I was blogging a lot and doing book reviews, because I was trying to verbalize what worked for me and what didn't...an online book report, I guess. When I knew I was going to be published, I took those reviews down...I didn't want to ever say anything negative about another author's work as Teri Anne Stanley (my pen name).
ReplyDeleteI do, however, post Amazon reviews under my "real" account. And I don't publish one unless I can give it four or five stars. Is that promotion, rather than critique? Yeah, probably. But its the best I can do to follow the "if you can't say something nice..." Rule and being honest.
What you're doing here, tho, is different. You've got reviews, yes, but you are looking at literature for a specific purpose--how does this piece mesh with feminism? I think that's a different kind of review than "was this a good book?"
MY two cents are that unless you're dogging other historical authors, you're good!
You're already doing it right, and I'm relieved to hear you will be continuing with the reviews from the feminist perspective! Plus, like what Teri Anne said, since what you are doing here is slightly different than the standard "did I like it?" review, I hope that you will find juggling your hats a wee bit easier. Your chosen reads, because of the way you focus on them, are less likely to create hostility in oversensitive fellow authors. IMO, of course. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMany of the people who review fiction for New York Times, Washington Post, etc., are authors, too. Recently: Neil Gaiman on Kazuo Ishiguro's book; Michael Connelly on Richard Price's; Katharine Weber on Jo Baker's. They do not write only positive reviews.
ReplyDeleteI loved author Caroline See's reviews every Friday in the Post; such deep thought on each book's writing and structure and theme and everything else. Her being an author enhanced the reviews. She was not ostracized from the "writers' league" for pointing out books' imperfections, nor were the others.
Is it only genre fiction that has this "speak no evil" policy? Only romance? (Might it be what's holding us back in the respect department?) Is the difference that only when someone is paid to do a review (like in a newspaper), they feel can be (negative-connotation) critical?
I'm not sure, but I do know that I've stopped taking romance authors' advice about new authors to buy because I don't know when they're being "nice" and when they really care. I learned that the hard way, by buying too many recommended books that weren't good reads. As a romance writer, this makes me sad.
Nicky, thanks for your comment!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with critical review but you'd never know that from this increasingly prevalent mind set that only positive reviews are acceptable, especially in genre fiction. Every book that's written is not going to be exceptional or even good, anymore than all students deserve A's & B's, or all professionals are at the top of their field. As a reader who looks to reviews for some guidance in my book selection, this is my biggest beef with reviewers. You're not a heartless destroyer of dreams and careers if you write a well reasoned negative review. But I understand why reviewers are worried about backlash, and it really is a sad state of affairs.
As for Jane/Jen, not cool in my book. I wrongly thought Dear Author was a reader centric space too, and although I realized Jane/DA wasn't universally loved for its stance on various author/industry related bad behavior, I was impressed someone was speaking up about ethical issues. Sadly it's rare for people to police themselves.
There's been a lot of talk about the "mistakes" Jane made regarding disclosure, etc. but if we're brutally honest here what we're really talking about is the "calculated risks" she was willing to take. In the end I think she gambled with the ethical issues because she figured she stood to gain more than she'd lose. It will be interesting to see how things stand a year from now.
Certified Cynic
I think you can be at the same time an author and a book reviewer. And the honest thing to do is saying it, as you've done here.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I recognize I will not read your reviews the same way. No better or worse, just different. You will be reviewing about things that ocupy the same niche in the market. So I will see your opinions as a published author, not as a reader & blogger.
I don't mean that bloggers/readers are not biased. As a matter of fact, I trust very few of them, but for different reasons.
I'm not sure I've explained myself well enough. So I'll stop here.
Good luck with your writing. I'll buy your books whenever they are ready. Be sure of that!