Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
🖋️ Want my help writing your books? kelseyhumphreys.com/writing
Why do authors use pen names and should you? In this video, I break down why and when to use a pen name, the pros and cons, and how it fits into your full time fiction author career strategy. If you’re an indie author thinking about creating a second (or third) identity, this one’s for you!
👋 If you’re new here I’m Kelsey—rom-com author, former stand-up comic, mom of six. I make cozy, real-life writing vlogs, a weekly podcast, these weekly writing tips videos, funny bits. I'm a lot. Subscribe for weekly humor, heart, inspo, motivation and zero perfectionism.
Other Videos Mentioned (that you should watch!)
How to Become a Full-Time Fiction Author: youtu.be/ooOhu_-3JuE
How to Write and Launch a Series the Smart Way: youtu.be/e_SH7GorPAM
My Writing Vlog: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB3eRDru2uVJlTbHdp7t6VTRNPd7RiWJw
______________________________________________________________
🔗 LINKS
🖋️ Want my help writing your books? kelseyhumphreys.com/writing
🎄 Grab my new romcom “Happy Christmas”: amzn.to/45xBYDg
🎁 Get a FREE full-length novel: kelseyhumphreys.com/freebie
🚌 See me on tour! kelseyhumphreys.com/#events
______________________________________________________________
📌 FOLLOW ME
Instagram → instagram.com/thekelseyhumphreys
TikTok → tiktok.com/@thekelseyhumphreys
Amazon → amazon.com/author/kelseyhumphreys
Goodreads → goodreads.com/author/show/8583138.Kelsey_Humphreys
________________________________________________________________
⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Why authors create pen names
02:00 – Lucy Score example
03:00 – Keeping genres separate
04:00 – My own experience with three pen names
05:00 – Authors who write in multiple subgenres
06:00 – Book positioning and packaging on Amazon
07:00 – Mistakes I made with launching multiple series
08:00 – Reader expectations and genres
09:00 – Why I’m merging some pen names and keeping one secret!
10:00 – Easter eggs and fan sleuthing
11:00 – Do your story justice
12:00 – When your story deserves a separate name
13:00 – Pros of pen names
14:00 – Cons of pen names
15:00 – Managing series across different pen names
16:00 – The system works — if you work it
17:00 – Marketing, social media, and newsletter strategies
18:00 – My most profitable series isn’t under my real name?! 😬
19:00 – Life changes & my writing schedule
20:00 – Pros and cons of secrecy, spotlight, and success
21:00 – Logistically setting up multiple pen names
22:00 – Final thoughts: build a creative life you love!
________________________________________________________________
🏷️ tags: self publishing vs traditional publishing, traditional vs indie publishing, how to get a book deal, how to find a literary agent, querying tips for authors, how traditional publishing works, publishing industry explained, author advance breakdown, how much do authors really make, indie author success stories, full time author life, realistic author advice, self publishing tips for beginners, amazon kdp explained, how to self publish a book, kdp pricing strategy, how to market your book, indie author marketing, book distribution explained, how to get your book in bookstores, netgalley for authors, book sirens tutorial, how to make money self publishing, author business tips, indie author strategy, building an author career, book publishing for beginners, writing vlog, indie author vlog, realistic author life, author mom life, creative entrepreneur vlog, kelsey humphreys, happy tears podcast, make money writing books, kelsey humphreys, kelsey humphreys books
🖋️ Want my help writing your books? kelseyhumphreys.com/writing
Why do authors use pen names and should you? In this video, I break down why and when to use a pen name, the pros and cons, and how it fits into your full time fiction author career strategy. If you’re an indie author thinking about creating a second (or third) identity, this one’s for you!
👋 If you’re new here I’m Kelsey—rom-com author, former stand-up comic, mom of six. I make cozy, real-life writing vlogs, a weekly podcast, these weekly writing tips videos, funny bits. I'm a lot. Subscribe for weekly humor, heart, inspo, motivation and zero perfectionism.
Other Videos Mentioned (that you should watch!)
How to Become a Full-Time Fiction Author: youtu.be/ooOhu_-3JuE
How to Write and Launch a Series the Smart Way: youtu.be/e_SH7GorPAM
My Writing Vlog: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB3eRDru2uVJlTbHdp7t6VTRNPd7RiWJw
______________________________________________________________
🔗 LINKS
🖋️ Want my help writing your books? kelseyhumphreys.com/writing
🎄 Grab my new romcom “Happy Christmas”: amzn.to/45xBYDg
🎁 Get a FREE full-length novel: kelseyhumphreys.com/freebie
🚌 See me on tour! kelseyhumphreys.com/#events
______________________________________________________________
📌 FOLLOW ME
Instagram → instagram.com/thekelseyhumphreys
TikTok → tiktok.com/@thekelseyhumphreys
Amazon → amazon.com/author/kelseyhumphreys
Goodreads → goodreads.com/author/show/8583138.Kelsey_Humphreys
________________________________________________________________
⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Why authors create pen names
02:00 – Lucy Score example
03:00 – Keeping genres separate
04:00 – My own experience with three pen names
05:00 – Authors who write in multiple subgenres
06:00 – Book positioning and packaging on Amazon
07:00 – Mistakes I made with launching multiple series
08:00 – Reader expectations and genres
09:00 – Why I’m merging some pen names and keeping one secret!
10:00 – Easter eggs and fan sleuthing
11:00 – Do your story justice
12:00 – When your story deserves a separate name
13:00 – Pros of pen names
14:00 – Cons of pen names
15:00 – Managing series across different pen names
16:00 – The system works — if you work it
17:00 – Marketing, social media, and newsletter strategies
18:00 – My most profitable series isn’t under my real name?! 😬
19:00 – Life changes & my writing schedule
20:00 – Pros and cons of secrecy, spotlight, and success
21:00 – Logistically setting up multiple pen names
22:00 – Final thoughts: build a creative life you love!
________________________________________________________________
🏷️ tags: self publishing vs traditional publishing, traditional vs indie publishing, how to get a book deal, how to find a literary agent, querying tips for authors, how traditional publishing works, publishing industry explained, author advance breakdown, how much do authors really make, indie author success stories, full time author life, realistic author advice, self publishing tips for beginners, amazon kdp explained, how to self publish a book, kdp pricing strategy, how to market your book, indie author marketing, book distribution explained, how to get your book in bookstores, netgalley for authors, book sirens tutorial, how to make money self publishing, author business tips, indie author strategy, building an author career, book publishing for beginners, writing vlog, indie author vlog, realistic author life, author mom life, creative entrepreneur vlog, kelsey humphreys, happy tears podcast, make money writing books, kelsey humphreys, kelsey humphreys books
