Welcome to another edition of Open Book Blog Hop. This week’s question is: “Did you write under a pseudonym? Why?
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I’ve never written under a pseudonym per se, but the name under which my books are published is slightly different from my legal name. When I was single, my work was published in magazines and anthologies under the name of Abigail L. Johnson. After I got married in 2005, I didn’t want to abandon my maiden name altogether. One of my favorite children’s book authors has always been Laura Ingalls Wilder, who used both her maiden and married names when publishing her work. So, I saw no reason why I couldn’t be Abbie Johnson Taylor.
My late husband Bill supported me in my decision. After his paralyzing strokes, when he couldn’t always control his emotions, he would often say, while wearing what he call his shit-eating grin, “My wife, Abbie Johnson Taylor, the published author.” So, that is why the byline for my books and articles always says, “by Abbie Johnson Taylor,” paying homage to the family who raised me and the loving husband who supported my writing endeavors for years until his death.
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How about you authors out there? Have you ever written under a pseudonym? Why? You can sound off in the comment field below or click here to participate in this week’s hop and read what other bloggers have to say.
New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
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I write under my real name to embarrass my family, though I also looked up Janet Gogerty and couldn’t find any other authors with the same name published on Amazon so that confirmed my choice.
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I picked my name before Amazon was a thing, but I have been known to look for book titles before I commit to one.
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Like you, I’m also drawn to a book by its title. Thanks for commenting.
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Like you, I use my maiden name plus my married name. I did this around 2017 when my book, Walking by Inner Vision: Stories & Poems_ came out. It is because there is another author who has the same name as me, Lynda Lambert. She is a television personality in the Baltimore area and an author. Therefore, to avoid confusion, at that time in 2017, I added my maiden name. I am glad I did that because it gives me recognition with people who knew me long ago as Lynda McKinney. As some point in my teen years, I changed my name from Lynda to Lynda. Many people call me Lydia – and that is ok, too. Nice post, Abbie.
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Wow! I never dreamed there was another Lynda Lambert who even spells her first name with a Y like you do. That’s quite a coincidence.
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I write under a pseudonym so as not to embarrass my family, lol.
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