Choosing stories to read.

[Luca E]

I don't think anyone has ever brought this up before. Leaving aside story recommendations, and irrespective of genres or tags, in process or completed, summaries, titles, covers, there is another aspect to searching for stories to read which influences my choice to take a look or not.

This may appear silly, superficial, or not something you even consider yourself, but the author's name influences my choice. I tend to avoid silly names, single names, or other names that simply are not proper names. So John Masters, J Masters, no problem, JM001, or SuperMasterJohn, I flip past.

I wonder if other readers find author names influence their choice of what to read. If you are wondering why, I see silly names as authors who aren't serious or are in a different universe to the world of books and literature. And yes, I know it's probably stupid on my part, but I'm like that despite everything, it's how I am and I kind of think there must be others like me or there are other things about stories that make you flip past without bothering to open and look?

[Mikiesboy]

I look at people's work and then decide if I can read it. Nicknames are a matter of personal choice/need for privacy, they are not an indicator of talent. 

[Ron]

1 hour ago, Luca E said:

I don't think anyone has ever brought this up before. Leaving aside story recommendations, and irrespective of genres or tags, in process or completed, summaries, titles, covers, there is another aspect to searching for stories to read which influences my choice to take a look or not.

This may appear silly, superficial, or not something you even consider yourself, but the author's name influences my choice. I tend to avoid silly names, single names, or other names that simply are not proper names. So John Masters, J Masters, no problem, JM001, or SuperMasterJohn, I flip past.

I wonder if other readers find author names influence their choice of what to read. If you are wondering why, I see silly names as authors who aren't serious or are in a different universe to the world of books and literature. And yes, I know it's probably stupid on my part, but I'm like that despite everything, it's how I am and I kind of think there must be others like me or there are other things about stories that make you flip past without bothering to open and look?

Authors are a creative people. Otherwise, we'd have no fiction to read. That creative nature isn't always limited to writing alone. In this world using your actual name on a piece of Gay literature could be used against you in a manner most people don't want to think about. So why not use that same creativity one uses to write in order to come up with a name for themselves. But, really, does any pen name actually affect an author's legitimacy. Perish the thought!

History is rife with famous people using a pen name for their work. Could you be one of them one day Luca E.?

[Wayne Gray]

An author's chosen handle doesn't influence me at all. I give many a shot, and if I like what they do, I keep reading.

[Headstall]

You do you, @Luca E, but just think of all the great stories you might be missing because of this name bias of yours. I read what I like, when I can find the time, and don't mind a bit checking story descriptions, reviews, views, comments from readers... and of course reputation. Does this author have a following? Does this particular story have a following? Have I liked a previous story from this author? Does he or she work hard at their craft. I can usually tell in the first few paragraphs whether that is the case. If I see a lot of mistakes, I might leave the story until the author has had some time to improve. That said, I will read new authors who are trying their best, and I try to offer my encouragement. All of these things, these tools GA provides us, help me decide, not someone's GA handle.

There is one more thing I pay attention to now. Does it exhibit signs of being AI assisted? Maybe it's just me, and maybe I'm alone in this, but I have no interest in those whatsoever. 

Cheers and good luck to you. Gary