Women Writers Using Male Pen Names

In the literary world, there are many women authors who don't use their full name. Instead, they use names that give the illusion they are a man.
J.K. Rowling (Joanne Rowling) is one of the most popular examples.
Nora Roberts was already a best selling author when she decided to write mystery novels under "J.D. Robb"
M.W. Benson (Mildred Wirt Benson) wrote many of The Nancy Drew books.

These are just a few of the more modern ones... there are several more in the present and in the past.

I'm here asking, why is this? Why do women feel they need to write under a male name? Or is it in fact more the publishers? Or is it the simple fact that boys even in today's society won't buy a book written by a woman?

If it is indeed the publishers, then they must think it will sell better. Which means, they think that people are more likely to read books written by men. I'm not entirely sure where they got this thinking... After all, this isn't the 1800s anymore.

It seems as though, using the Harry Potter Series as an example, that many realized while reading this that women can write just as exciting and riveting stories as men. So, it doesn't seem to me that an ordinary person would pick up a book, read the back cover and say "Wow, this looks awesome... but it's written by a girl. Oh, well, I can't read this now." It just doesn't seem like a logical conclusion.

If it's not either of those, then that leaves us with the women themselves. In this case, why would a women feel she must go under a man's name? Is it the fact that she feels she won't be respected as an author in the same way? Is it the fact that she's worried about sales? Does she think that because she's a girl, people will automatically categorize her books as girly? Do we have a societal women's self esteem issue? Not only this, but in our society, are we still so male-dominated that men are afraid of equality in the workplace and publishinghouse? Even if many males are okay with it, how many aren't? How many are subconsciously afraid of it? And therefore, how many women feel subconsciously oppressed?

There is no answer, as many of these women probably have different answers, and nobody knows what the most common one is. It's been proven that men and women can write all different genres and it's not limited to one gender or another.

My books, Sly Darkness and Impending Doom, have been called many things, but none of them are "girly" or "lovey-dovey" or "ridiculously nonsensical." I believe my books are enjoyed by both genders who love books that are called "Suspenseful" "Riveting" "Crazy" "Cleverly Surprising" "Creepy" and "Mind-Blowing"

I chose not to write under a male pen name, because I really didn't see the use of it or what it would do for me. I am me. I am Kya Aliana. People will either buy my books, or they won't. People will either like my books, or they won't. It's a preference, and that's okay with me. But I am proud of what I write, and I am proud to link it with my name, and I will stand tall and hopefully one day, my dream of being a famous, well-known-for-her-great-books author will come true.

As always, thanks for reading,
Kya Aliana

For more information on me, my books, and to read free short stories, please visit my official website: KyaAliana.Weebly.Com