What’s in a Name?

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Pam Lazos

[photo by Arianna Rich]

What’s in a Name?

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose,
By any other word would smell as sweet;

So says Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but the alternative reality is that language is what we use to shape the world and today, names seem to mean everything.

That’s why I’m undertaking the somewhat arduous task of rebranding myself and my books.  We can all wave a fond farewell to the P. J. Lazos pen name as it fades off into the sunset while Pam Lazos enters stage left.  Perhaps now I will no longer have to explain to people how to find my books.

Should I have listened to the marketing advice a friend gave me years ago and simply listed one name across all media?  In hindsight, yes.  Then I wouldn’t be undertaking this rebranding exercise.  My reasoning at the time was that men sell more books than women — by a lot —  so maybe if I obfuscated the fact that I was a woman I could sell more books.  But the thing with that is, across all my media platforms I was still a woman, presenting as a woman, commenting under my own name, and just being me.  Lesson learned.  Nothing to see here. Time to move on.

And so I am.  I’ve changed my nom de plume on Facebook and am working on my Amazon Author’s Page.  Eventually, I’ll change the book covers although that will take a bit longer.  In the meantime, thanks for sticking by me in all my incarnations.  I’ll do my best to be worthy.

pamlazos 3.31.19

About Pam Lazos

writer, blogger, environmentally hopeful
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36 Responses to What’s in a Name?

  1. Sophia Ismaa says:
    April 13, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    Yay, great to hear you’re embracing your name… such a shame there was so much prejudice before, but the tide is changing! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. jeanleesworld says:
    April 10, 2019 at 10:02 am

    You’re stuck with me for the long haul, Pam! 🙂 And you’re not the only one I know rebranding; I might have missed her on here if she stopped by, but my food friend Anne Clare (“The Naptime Author”) is working out how to rebrand her site now that her kids are no longer napping. It’s tough!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Pam Lazos says:
      April 10, 2019 at 10:14 am

      Yes, it is, and I found out to change the names on my books I have to do second editions, but that may not even be possible because I already have an ISBN number. More research needed but sounds like some things I may just be stuck with. 😂😂😂 Have a great day, Jean!🥰

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Singing Mermaid says:
    April 3, 2019 at 1:59 am

    Congrats! You’ve been nominated for a Real Neat Blog Award! http://bluelove.blog/2019/04/03/blue-love-blog-has-been-nominated/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Anne Copeland says:
    April 2, 2019 at 4:23 am

    Loved reading this. Thank you most kindly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. MariHoward says:
    April 1, 2019 at 7:02 pm

    I so identify with this! I also made the mistake – both of using a pen name (my 2 middle names, Mari(ella) Howard) and also I’ve been using HOdgePublishing as my website/Business cards/twitter/etc. I didn’t want to use my ‘real name’ having no real interest in the ‘name in print’ concept and my surname begins with a W – so end of alphabet ‘not good when someone is going along the shelves looking for something to read’ stuff. Am re-branding … what a fuss it all is! Good to know others in this mess!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Susan Scott says:
    April 1, 2019 at 1:04 pm

    Pam – it’s a lovely name – are you called PJ as a matter of interest? Good luck with the marketing and re-branding 🙂 It’ll all be great! Or, use Pam J Lazos …? 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. hilarymb says:
    April 1, 2019 at 10:35 am

    Hi Pam – well done – it’s a lot of work … but at least you’re a woman as PJ and as Pam … I always think of pajamas … and probably will remember PJ more than Pam – but one gets ‘locked’ into these ‘nicknames’ that are familiar. Good luck with all the changes – and I’m sure you’ve made the right decision … it’s always difficult to know what to do and how to go about this writing lark!! Take care and cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. cath says:
    April 1, 2019 at 9:37 am

    Sounds like it was worth a try, and if you’d not gone for initials you would probably always have wondered… Personally, I like knowing who the author is, and somehow having a name rather than initials makes a difference.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Ken Dowell says:
    April 1, 2019 at 1:37 am

    I like to think that I don’t have a bias when choosing books to read, but if I look at my bookshelf there are more male authors. I did, however, buy Oil and Water knowing the author’s name was Pam.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Ally Bean says:
    March 31, 2019 at 11:40 pm

    I agree with the commenter above that I tend to look at women authors before male authors. I like your new name, even it if it is who you’ve been all along. Rebranding is good, can bring a sense of clarity about yourself that others will respond to.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. lindasschaub says:
    March 31, 2019 at 11:29 pm

    Nice to know you (as) Pam – you have your work cut out for you I suspect. That’s a beautiful rose and perfect passage to use for this post.

    Like

    Reply
  13. shehannemoore says:
    March 31, 2019 at 9:56 pm

    Yay…. You are a star whatever but welcome Pam Lazos xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. thecontentedcrafter says:
    March 31, 2019 at 8:20 pm

    Yay Pam Lazos!! Just so you know – when buying books, my bias is towards women writers. Simply because they tend to represent my way of thinking, feeling and being better than a man ever can. Over a lifetime of reading this is one of the things I have learned.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. Michele Anderson says:
    March 31, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    Whatever you do, and however you do it, I’m sure you will be brilliant and successful Pam 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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