Who am I? Why should you follow me?

Hello, I am Sydney Bennett.

I have been an author, under a different pen name, for five years. For the most part, I write coming of age, sci-fy and fantasy with a sprinkling of romance. In these last five years, my main demographic has been young adult/adult. Before you go asking for my other name, know that I doubt I will ever tell you. This brings me to the reason I am changing my name.

First of all, I didn't have a large number of fans. I am saying this so you all know that I didn't leave even a hundred of people wanting more and never receiving it.

Second, someone got too close to figuring out who I am. That's right... Sydney Bennett is also a pen name. I use these to hide my identity. Partly because I am a coward; afraid of people I know judging me. The other part is that I don't want fame, I want to write.

Third, my writing style has changed a great deal in these last five years. I am happy to take a punch in the gut in the form of constructive criticism. What I struggle with is being proud of something that I no longer agree with or wish I could change. My god, if I got a dollar for all the times I told when I should have showed, I would be rich. Goodbye rent, hello mortgage!

Fourth, I have learned how to be an author online and to "sell" myself. For the last five years I had a hard time grasping that readers would want to get to know me. It flew over my head that steady insta posts and tweets can help me interact with others and gain new friends, beta readers, and fans! By that sentence you are probably picturing an out of touch, middle aged woman. Unfortunately, you are wrong. I am nearly in my thirties and have many, MANY more years ahead of me. I grew up different than some, and had little to no experience with the internet. Hell, I didn't get a myspace until after facebook was a thing!

Fifth, and this is a BIG one, I failed at putting my best self forward and NEVER hired a professional editor. Before you go ripping me a big one for something SO obvious, know that I had two editors, they just weren't professional. These editors came in the form of great friends who were happy to grammar punch me in the face. One of which, especially enjoyed telling me when I did a terrible job at a fluid plot.

So, hello, everyone... anyone, I am Sydney Bennett. I want to do better. I want to write better. I want people to appreciate the stuff that falls out of my brain and onto paper, and not to humor me, but because they genuinely enjoyed it. Or, because I made a difference in their life and pulled them out of their day.

I am a writer. I am an author. I am getting a professional editor... for my books, blog posts are still subject to ill grammar and improper sentences. I would apologize, except that it wouldn't be a meaningful one, just superficial.

Allow me to say, "Nice to meet you." by commenting below and telling me a bit about yourself.