: Re: Is it a bad idea to adopt an 'English' pen name as an Asian American writer to reach a wider audience? There is currently a dearth of Asian American writers on U.S. library bookshelves, and

@BetL639

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This is merely my opinion as a YA(28) but I feel that you shouldn't have to worry about hiding who you are. 90% of the time I never even looked at the author's name of a book when picking one out at a library or at Barnes n Noble. The cover art/title and the back of the book was usually what drew me into it. If I found myself enjoying the book, I am going to try to look up the name so that I can see what else they wrote but again doesn't matter about the ethnicity of the name to me. With that being said, I also think that... your opinion of youth today may be a little unfounded. Yes there will be some that see an Asian name and say that, but the broad spectrum of people who pick up a book won't judge you because of your name. It doesn't matter that you are Asian heritage because you are AMERICAN. Also from personal opinion, I find it quite interesting when I see other cultures portray American life, especially in Anime as I find what they stereotype to be quite humorous. Anime in general has really grown among the youth which should also help you with your culture fear of not being accepted.

The only real issue is... that someone may struggle to say your name or remember how to spell it when trying to go through an online book store or in person. To change your name though out of fear of being discriminated I believe would not be correct. It would be better to change it to make it an EASIER name or because it is your chance to write under an alias. I have thought about making a pen name for myself but that is mostly because I thought it would be cool to have a name more easily pronounced that I can pick that would... dictate my writing personality. My last name is pretty hardcore Italian and a lot of people butcher it.

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