Pseudonym?

On Monday, my friend Eric Allen Yankee came to talk to my creative writing class.  He did an awesome presentation on self-publishing and read some of his amazing poetry from his books Riot and Bees Against War. 

I have heard this presentation before, and always learn something new, but one thing he emphasized, which I am still sitting with, is the idea that you should use a pseudonym if you self publish.  Now, because I have this blog, and have been blabbing about my projects, I think it's a moot point.  However, not many people have read my collection of stories.  (Shit, thousands of people don't visit this site either.) 

I guess my question is if I am not writing smut or some popular fiction, do you need a pen name?  Or do you launch your work into the universe, and hope it doesn't suck?  I don't know.  I don't think my ego is so fragile that I need one, but what the fuck do I know?

Well, I'm off to make  chicken rice for my students.  I was going to buy them friend chicken, but I am broke.  Oh, what a glamorous life I live.

Meditate on important questions, then cook for your students.  #Resist 

---