Who Regan Hastings Is Not
Although VISIONS OF MAGIC is the first book by Regan Hastings, it’s far from the author’s first book. Under another name, her contemporary romance novels number in the double digits, and she has been nominated six times for the prestigious RITA award from the Romance Writers of America. Her romance novels have appeared many times on the USA TODAY bestsellers list. She’s holding a contest for readers to guess her true identity for a chance to win a Federal Bureau of Witchcraft fleece jacket. Enter at www.reganhastings.com. The contest ends February 1, the release date of VISIONS OF MAGIC, so enter right away!
"What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." – William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet
Who am I to argue with Shakespeare? But when it comes to books, readers expect certain things when they see an author’s name on the cover. In a sense, each author makes a promise to her readers that if they liked one of her books, they’ll probably like the others. So when I got a wicked cool idea for a dark paranormal series about witches, my editor and I decided to publish them under a different name.
Ah, but what name? Coming up with a new pseudonym is a big commitment. If VISIONS OF MAGIC and the other Awakening books are as popular as I hope they’ll be, then I’ll be answering to this name for a good, long time. I’ll do book signings and media events, and fans will be shouting my name at midnight when the bookstores are finally allowed to sell the latest installment…
It could happen!
Then there’s the whole signature question. I needed a name that flowed off the pen. I couldn’t be Olivia Oliphant because I hate the way I write capital O. But I love the way I write the letter R, and my capital H makes me shivery.
Regan Hastings was born.
Regan Hastings, author of VISIONS OF MAGIC. Regan Hastings, bestselling author of VISIONS OF MAGIC. Regan Hastings, #1 New York Times bestselling author of VISIONS OF MAGIC.
It could happen!
I decided to have some fun with my new name. I’m holding a contest, inviting readers to guess my true identity. Who is Regan Hastings? The contest runs until February 1, the release date of VISIONS OF MAGIC. Readers can submit their guesses via my website, www.reganhastings.com, for a chance to win this Federal Bureau of Witchcraft fleece jacket. (The winner will get to choose the size and color.) I love this jacket, and just think about what a conversation starter it will be!
I’m going to give you a very special advantage in the contest. I’m going to give you a list of some of the authors that I’m not. These are actual incorrect guesses that have come in from readers as of January 14, the date I’m writing this post, in no particular order except that I put Nora Roberts at the top because HELLO – she’s Nora Roberts! She’s used to being at the top.
Who Regan Hastings Is Not:
Nora Roberts
Julia Quinn
Linda Howard
Lori Foster
Kim Harrison
Kelley Armstrong
Jill Barnett
Brenda Joyce
Connie Brockway
Charlaine Harris
Kresley Cole
Juliet Blackwell
Carla Neggers
Karen Robards
Rachel Gibson
Rhonda Nelson
Linda Lael Miller
Christie Ridgway
Katie MacAlister
Suzanne Brockmann
Jude Deveraux
Tara Taylor Quinn
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Kelly Parra
Mary Janice Davidson
Myla Jackson
Sandra Hill
Donna Kauffman
Carly Phillips
Christine Feehan
Richelle Mead
Vicki Hinze
Cindy Gerard
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Karen Kelley
Christina Dodd (no, but she did give me a cover quote, so it would be pretty funny if I was really Christina Dodd.)
Laura Wright
Jodi Picoult
Annette Blair
Jill Myles
Jeaniene Frost
Jodi Thomas
Jennifer Lyons
If you had to go into the witness protection program and come up with a new name that you would have for the rest of your life, or at least until you witnessed another murder, what would your new name be? And how did you settle on that name?
Thank you so much for inviting me to blog with you here today. I'm looking forward to a fun and smexy conversation!
oooh…what name would I choose –
maybe Mercy Flowers (combining mercy thompson with my favorite singer brandon flowers)
Or I could go the JR Ward route and be:
Smhexy – LOL
If I went into Witness Protection and got to choose my name: Sabrina (what I would have been named if my dad won the naming game) and Smith (because if I was in witness protection, I would want to blend in). Ohhh and maybe a middle name Ophelia that way it would be SOS LOL
PS: I still have no guess on your real name, just excited we get to learn it soon!
I think my name would be Ginger Snaps. Wait! That's the name that I would use for… nevermind.
Er, I'd go for Liana Jones. The first name is close enough to my own that it wouldn't feel unfamiliar, and the last name is generic enough to not stand out in either a major city or suburb.
Thanks Smexy and Regan for such a great post! Clearly, everyone should have a Witness Protection name, just in case. ;-)
I would go with Jordan Summers, but an author already is using it, so I'll let her keep it!
Oh, and on the Christina Dodd thing…Sherrilyn Kenyon did a cover quote on Kinley MacGregor's book…hello, same author!
Mandi, LOL! Somehow, I don't think you'd blend in and become unnoticeable with a name like smhexy.
I would become Stephanie Thomas. Both are common names and my initials are already ST, so that would eliminate any hesitancy when signing or initiating anything. Plus I love Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series!
LOL, Lillie!!!!! Ginger Snaps. Snort!
I loooooooove the name Liana. It's so lyrical. I might have to use that one if I go into witness protection. I don't think I'd use Jones, though. Maybe Liana Hoffenhaur or Liana Picklesnout.
Lizzie, GOOD POINT! I totally forgot about that!!! So I could be Christina Dodd…
but I'm not. ;)
I love the Stephanie Plum books, too, Shiloh. I like the idea of naming yourself after a character in a book.
I'd have a really hard time changing my name if I were you, though. Shiloh is such a fabulous name!
Lots of guesses coming in today. So much fun! To help you out, here's a picture of me:
Regan Hastings
What do you think? Helpful?
Felicia, I have always loved the name Sabrina. Hmmm… maybe that's why I decided to write a witchy series.
February 1 is right around the corner. I'll send an email that day to remind everyone on my mailing list that VISIONS OF MAGIC is in stores and to reveal my true identity. Sign up for my newsletter here: Regan Hastings
The book sounds great :)
Ok on to my name…Isabella (cos I have loved that name for a long long time) But a last name, hm.
Isabella McLachlan yay, sounds good to me
By the way, everyone, if you're on Facebook, please come like my page.
Facebook.com/reganhastings
Oooooh, Isabella McLachlan does have a nice ring to it. I like it! I might have to use that for a character some day… No wait, I can't do that. Then if you witnessed a crime, you'd be mad at me!
Blodeuedd, That is a good name!
SUSAN! Hi! So good of you to stop by today. No, you can't use Isabella McLachlan. For one thing, you wrote a book with a heroine named Izzy just last year. Loved the Lone Star Sisters!
Lol, be free to use my name ;) Cos if I witness a crime in my country I wont get a new name..how much doesn't that suck, lol
Of course, Picklesnout! How did I not think of that? Perfect.
I like Annabelle. It was my grandmothers middle name. Which is probably not allowed actually.
I am excited for this book, I think it looks great!
PS, I entered the contest and I *think* I might know who you are. MAYBE!
Great post! If I had to go into the witness protection program I would be Justine Miller. Justine because I really like the name and Miller because I know a lot of Millers…more common but not as common as Smith.
I wouldn't care as long as everyone could pronounce it correctly!!! My mother was on seriously jacked up when she named me Mariah but spelled it Maria. I have to explain it about 20 times a day. School was a nightmare as well! At least I married into a Smith family so that is easy!
I have a made my guess as to who you really are! Now I wait to not only see the correct answer but the arrival of your new book because it sounds great!
Shannon, Annabelle's a lovely name. So old-fashioned that it's cool again. Good luck in the contest!
Deanna, Justine would be good for another reason, too… because you'd be testifying to bring the bad guys to justice. I like it!
Maria,
Why not just start signing your name with an H on the end? Problem solved! :) I'm glad you're looking forward to VISIONS OF MAGIC. Not long now… February 1 is right around the corner.
Hey Regan it is cyber stalker Sharon again . I would use Lorelai Chance. I love Lorelai. I wanted to use it for my second girl, but no one else liked it! And my oldest is Lauren so it would probably confuse people. I like Chance because…I just do :)
Sharon,
I felt sad and lonely that you hadn't stalked me here yet, so I'm very glad to see you! All is right in my world again.
Lorelai is a gorgeous name. I'm surprised no one else liked it. How does your daughter feel about Lorelai compared to the name she ended up with? Chance is a great last name. Great first name, too, for that matter, though probably not both. Chance Chance just sounds weird.
Update: Who Else Regan Hastings Is Not
Lots of fun guesses have been coming in. Someone suggested that I post an update of all the other incorrect guesses, and I thought that was a great idea. So here's who else I am not (incorrect guesses since January 14):
Connie Brockway
Virginia Kantra
Madeline Hunter
L.J. Smith
Kate White
Sarah McCarty
Anya Bast
Nancy Bush
Lisa Jackson
Janet Evanovich
Catherine Coulter
Stephanie Laurens
Sabrina Jeffries
Alex Kava
Karen Robards
Mariah Stewart
Beverly Barton
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Danielle Steel
Rachel Gibson
Brenda Novak
Susan Donovan
Victoria Dahl
Cherry Adair
Susan Mallery
Jessica Bird
J.R. Ward
Robyn Carr
Cheyenne McCray
Christina Skye
Susan May Warren
Carly Phillips
Angela Knight
Bertrice Small
Mary Balogh
Meg Cabot (but I do have something in common with her)
Judith McNaught
Barbara Taylor Bradford
This is the most fun ever!
Superb blog post, I have bookmarked this site so ideally I’ll see much more on this subject in the foreseeable future!
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