For years, I have written under two names—Fran Clark and Rosa Temple—each representing a different side of my writing style, themes and passions. At one point, it made sense to keep them separate: Fran Clark, the name under which I published my first novel, Holding Paradise, and Rosa Temple, a pen name that led to a book deal with two major publishers. But over time, I started to feel like I was losing a part of myself. Now, I’ve decided to bring them together under one roof, both figuratively and literally, by consolidating my author platforms.
The Divide: Fran Clark vs. Rosa Temple
Fran Clark was where my writing journey began. My debut novel, Holding Paradise, was a deeply personal story, inspired by themes of migration, identity, and family, set between the Caribbean and London. It was published by a small publisher and didn’t get many eyes on it for that reason. So remained in the shadows.
Enter Rosa Temple. A new name, a fresh start. Under this pen name, I wrote contemporary women’s fiction with a lighter, romantic edge. One of my books found a home with a traditional publisher, something I had wished for my Fran Clark novels, and I got a 3 book deal. Later, another of my Rosa Temple books was published by another major publisher.
The experience was validating in many ways. But when I finished writing the second edition of Holding Paradise, I hoped to continue down the same path as Rosa had done, but despite my agent’s efforts, the second edition of Holding Paradise could not find a home.
This left me feeling adrift, unsure of where to go next as an author. Then, as Rosa Temple, I found I was out of contract and, as an author, I was no longer working with my agent. I was at a crossroads. Who was I as a writer? Which name did I truly want to develop?
The Indie Author Transformation
When I embraced independent publishing, everything changed. Becoming an indie author has grounded me. It has given me the freedom to write the books I’m passionate about, whether under Fran Clark or Rosa Temple, and it has made me more focused than ever. The truth is, I am Fran Clark first and Rosa Temple second, but I love writing under both names for different reasons. Each identity has value, and instead of keeping them separate, I now want to unify them.
Moving Forward: One Author, Two Voices
With this new direction, I am merging my author brands. Rosa Temple will now have a dedicated page on my Fran Clark website, and I will be retiring the standalone Rosa Temple website. This way, all of my books—whether women’s fiction or historical fiction—will be housed in one place. I hope this won’t confuse my readers, but I know that keeping them apart has been confusing for me. This new approach feels right, and I’m embracing it fully.
I’d love to know how other authors manage multiple pen names. Do you keep them separate or bring them together? How do you ensure your readers can follow both aspects of your writing career? Let’s start a conversation.
Comments