What's In A Name
For those readers who have been with me from the very beginning, you may have noticed a few changes over the last few weeks. Not only have I updated the website and added this wonderful window into my mind, you know I have revealed that my original second book, Lailan Crown, has been re-edited and split into two separate books, entitled Origo Key and Laila's Crown. Of course, the most important (I think) change that has come is that I have decided to come out of the (metaphorical) closet.
I am Jennifer Yen...hear me roar! RAWR!!!Okay, maybe not, but it is true that my name has changed. As many of you already know, the books were published under the name J.L. Clark. I chose not to include a picture of myself on the back cover, and had no idea these decisions would make such a splash. So, after seeking advice from seasoned professionals in media and also some soul searching, I opted to do something I never intended on when I started.So why did I chose not to use my real name originally? Well, technically J.L. Clark IS my real name. It is my first and middle initials, as well as my married last name. I selected it because I wanted a little separation from my career as a psychiatrist, as I was concerned about the privacy of my practice and my patients. I do not use my married name professionally, and found it a little bit fun to consider JL my alter ego - my secret superhero identity if you may. It provided me the freedom to write without the preconceptions that sometimes comes from my profession. After all, one of the most common questions after I reveal I am a doctor who writes is whether my books are self-help or nonfiction. It always seems to surprise people that I write fiction, but that's a topic for another blog post!In addition to it being my pen name, I was surprised how many times I was asked if I chose it because I wanted to obscure my ethnicity. The completely honest answer is a big resounding NO! Here's the real story. I recall reading somewhere that when J.K. Rowling first began writing the Harry Potter series, she tried submitting to publishers under her full name. She felt that being immediately identifiable as a female author caused her to receive more rejections, and on a hunch submitted under her current name. Reportedly, her books were then picked up because it was assumed she was male. Now, I don't know the exact details and how much of this is true, but it certainly stuck in my mind. As naive as it sounds, at the time I didn't want anything to impede my success as a published author, so I chose to do the same.When you lovely readers started connecting with me on social media and attending book signings and readings, however, I realized how important it was to you that I was representing myself accurately. You wanted my picture on the back cover, my name to reflect my heritage, and for me to send a clear message that I was proud to be who I am. You showed me that I could inspire so many more people by not hiding behind my name, no matter my intentions, and show others who are thinking about taking a chance themselves that it can be done.Well, I agreed, so here I am!I am Jennifer Yen, and I am proud to be an Asian American female author of young adult fantasy and science fiction.Now...off to find the perfect picture of me to grace the back cover.That should be easy, right?!*facepalm*
I am Jennifer Yen...hear me roar! RAWR!!!Okay, maybe not, but it is true that my name has changed. As many of you already know, the books were published under the name J.L. Clark. I chose not to include a picture of myself on the back cover, and had no idea these decisions would make such a splash. So, after seeking advice from seasoned professionals in media and also some soul searching, I opted to do something I never intended on when I started.So why did I chose not to use my real name originally? Well, technically J.L. Clark IS my real name. It is my first and middle initials, as well as my married last name. I selected it because I wanted a little separation from my career as a psychiatrist, as I was concerned about the privacy of my practice and my patients. I do not use my married name professionally, and found it a little bit fun to consider JL my alter ego - my secret superhero identity if you may. It provided me the freedom to write without the preconceptions that sometimes comes from my profession. After all, one of the most common questions after I reveal I am a doctor who writes is whether my books are self-help or nonfiction. It always seems to surprise people that I write fiction, but that's a topic for another blog post!In addition to it being my pen name, I was surprised how many times I was asked if I chose it because I wanted to obscure my ethnicity. The completely honest answer is a big resounding NO! Here's the real story. I recall reading somewhere that when J.K. Rowling first began writing the Harry Potter series, she tried submitting to publishers under her full name. She felt that being immediately identifiable as a female author caused her to receive more rejections, and on a hunch submitted under her current name. Reportedly, her books were then picked up because it was assumed she was male. Now, I don't know the exact details and how much of this is true, but it certainly stuck in my mind. As naive as it sounds, at the time I didn't want anything to impede my success as a published author, so I chose to do the same.When you lovely readers started connecting with me on social media and attending book signings and readings, however, I realized how important it was to you that I was representing myself accurately. You wanted my picture on the back cover, my name to reflect my heritage, and for me to send a clear message that I was proud to be who I am. You showed me that I could inspire so many more people by not hiding behind my name, no matter my intentions, and show others who are thinking about taking a chance themselves that it can be done.Well, I agreed, so here I am!I am Jennifer Yen, and I am proud to be an Asian American female author of young adult fantasy and science fiction.Now...off to find the perfect picture of me to grace the back cover.That should be easy, right?!*facepalm*
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