I’ve been writing since my teens, and I’ve always used my real name (without the middle initial usually) on what I write. When I was in government, it was a way of showing that I wasn’t breaking any rules, or disclosing information I wasn’t suppose to. It was also, I suppose, a form of rebellion.
Well, life catches up with us all. I’ve been doing westerns lately, more even than my mainstay, mysteries–lots and lots more–and when I did a kind of experimental western, The Cowboy vs the Sea Monster, the publisher suggested that I sue a pen name. Seems my list of westerns is getting quite long, and I suppose he worries that it might confuse western fans–I do a series on the Adventures of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal, as well as short stories for anthologies, all your typical western.
I believe in being a cooperative writer, as long as I don’t have to sacrifice my integrity or warp my artistic vision, so I went along. The name I chose, Ben Carter, happens to be the main character in my Buffalo Soldier series, which I thought quite appropriate, and the publisher agrees.
So, if you’re a western fan, and you’ve read any of my other stuff, look for Ben Carter’s books, and you’ll be treated to even more good stuff.
Available for 99 cents at https://www.amazon.com/William-Coburn-Monster-Western-Adventure-ebook/dp/B07H4Y8631/
