Pen Names, Or Why Megg Has 400 Personalities

Anyone who's read my work knows that Megg Jensen writes high fantasy for teen girls. So when my muse hand-delivered a contemporary paranormal into my psyche, I pushed it aside. Staying true to my Megg brand is really important to me.

But the story wouldn't let me go. It's been haunting me in the back of my mind for more than a year and when I have free time, I find myself writing the story. Yet deep down I knew I couldn't release it under the Megg brand. Megg is magic, medieval settings, and mystical plots. This new story was modern, sarcastic, and edgy.

After much thought, I decided to give birth to another pen name - Isobel Lucas. Isobel (who's named after members of my family) will be the face of my new paranormal series, Hell Bent/Heaven Sent.

Obviously, I'm not hiding the fact that I have multiple names (both are pen names, by the way). I'm going to openly cross-promote the two on Facebook, yet new readers to my books won't be confused by the very different genre and tone of the two series.

I'm not the first person to pioneer this. Authors utilize this technique all the time! Here's some great examples of multi-named authors:

(fellow Indelible) Elle Strauss (MG and lower YA) is also Lee Strauss (upper YA and NA)

James Rollins (contemporary thriller) is James Clemens (high fantasy)

Anne Rice (horror) is Anne Rampling (erotica)

Maintaining your brand as an author is important, but I was able to find a solution that allows me to explore all of my interests. Whether it's medieval fantasy or modern paranormal, I'm thrilled I have the opportunity to create fiction that (I hope) many readers will love.

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Megg Jensen, aka Isobel Lucas, is a mom, wife, and writer living in the Chicago 'burbs. She loves swing dancing, rollerblading, and reading. She's a total spaz and spends far too much time playing with FaceinHole.com. Catch her on Facebook, her blog, or on Author2Author.