Not wanting to alienate her clients, professional book editor Elaine Ash established the pen name "Anonymous-9" when she started experimenting with writing hard-boiled fiction. Hard-boiled fiction, also known as noir fiction, includes gritty, graphic crime stories with deeply conflicted characters. Her third short story "Hard Bite" won a Spinetingler Magazine award, greatly increasing her exposure. This success allowed her to be more open with her work going forward. If you are considering creating a pen name, Ash says, know that it's a lot of work to maintain this separate persona. Be sure you have a good reason, such as risking personal relationships, when you establish a pen name.
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