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I'm curious. As I've been laying here I've been contemplating some things I began to think about my pen names.

I'm not feeling quite well yet, but I do have a question for you all.

Arand, Darren, or both?

Comments

Devin

Bruh, went and tracked down your one off pen name and read the book there. I’ve read everything… twice

David Fletcher

16 votes and all read both. Expected and still funny

Dion Crump

I read both but have different expectations depending on the name I’m reading under

Paul Sneddon

Yep, same. And to me it's kinda awesome that 33 votes ( out of 33 atm) are all both. Wonder how many read the off name too.

Wrecki

I kind of would understand if there are people that only read William D. Arand, since the ones under Randi Darren are more...graphic, but how could you not read both! 😁

CJ

Read everything! Multiple times! Got to find all the easter eggs you leave!

Andrew Smith

Having different pen names works because there are notable differences in the stories. I do understand how new readers can get confused by different names but everything is interconnected. Hopefully they are able to figure it out quickly. It's not very complicated.

Anonymous

I go to Arand for the stories and romance while Darren is for the stories and adult romance lol

Steven Miller

And own every audiobook

David Morrissey

I read both, but tend to reread the Randi Darren ones. Funny thing on the re-read I zip over the sex.

Jlaristotle

I think having multiple pen names is genius. If anything I wish more of your work is Darren. However I think that the PG13 of Arand, pays the bills. Its really not that complicated. However I don't think you needed the third pen name.

Yitzhak Brill

Both is the only real answer, haha

Vayn

I have read from all 3 pen names

Jordan Gabriel Holt Smith

I started with super sale on superheroes and I haven't stopped since it was only about four or five books in when I realized everything was connected

Drfman

I have read everything at least twice. Starting with Super Sales and then starting at the beginning. Rereading different series to piece everything together

Andrew

I have read both but I only really like the series under Arand oddly enough so I’ll be the sole Arand vote for now

Anonymous

I read both, but focus more on arrand. The harems and dungeon series were getting to be too similar, but thankfully yours as Darren are more classy and not just a sex book

Anonymous

I read both, with a tendency to prefer Arand, but also modified to preferring some series over others ( I would have to go back and rate each series, to figure out if the series preference is tied to pen name preference )

Christopher B.

I’m similar to others that posted before me in that I read both but lean more towards the Arand stories.

scott hank

I read both and look forward to them both

Anonymous

I have every audio book and listen to the whole series chronologically every week while driving for my job. Pen name changes nothing, your story telling is what keeps me there week after week.

Anonymous

I read both and enjoy both.

Anonymous

Many years ago, I listened to a litRPG story "Otherlife Dreams", it was a nice story that put you on my radar. Arand became: "Purchase any new releases immediately" from that point onward XD. While I was hankering for more (after Dungeon Deposed 1), there was a "Recommended" listing for Fostering Faust - grabbed it to see what it was about on a whim. I legitimately originally thought Randi and Arand were 2 separate authors, as the writing styles felt unique from each other. I believe it was during listening to Fostering Faust where there is a quick aside about "Felix being a good name for someone like *that*". My curiosity was peaked - "Wait, is Randi poking fun at William? Are they friends?". This misconception only grew further with Cultivating Chaos - as you made collaborative worlds with another author I'd listened to, further cementing the idea Randi and Arand were collaborating on the Runnerverse. I laugh at it now, but I didn't realize you were both authors until I joined your discord around "Right of Retribution" audiobook time! The surprise blew my mind, and I can't help but wonder how many other casual listeners still don't realise - just as I didn't. Love all of the stories that have joined the Runnerverse regardless, such wondrous tales from the server farm!

Jason Little

Wild wastes was that for me. Amazon and audible kept recommending them but it wasn't until the first volume of dungeon deposed that I learned that they were connected

Donny Davis

I read both. Started with Super Sales then read Wild Wastes. Been getting all your books since. Including the cultivating chaos and honor of duty. I am not one of those readers that demand explicit content in their books. Fade to Black is just fine for me. It is the story and relationships that matter.

clinton cuzzort

Keep both imo. I enjoy both versions. I think they both are satisfying unique niche. Idk if you remember this, it’s been quite awhile now. But before you hinted at the two names being both you in a FB post where I was recommending the series’s. I had zero clue 🤣. I’d never read any explicit content style books until Darren. I doubt I ever would have either. WD Arand certainly was a good stepping stone for me into the more erotic genre.

Anonymous

All three, multiple times. I end up rereading a series when it gets a new book, and then read the series most closely related to the events of the new book. And I've added the third pen name to the list of series I reread when I get bored with the usual KU fare.

Direwolf1618

I read both, and have read the series several times through. That being said I would assume (and the poll would so far reflect) if a person is dedicated enough to be a patreon they have read all of the books in the story line regardless on "who" wrote them.

Anonymous

Read both, of course. Greatly prefer Arand novels because I prefer the plot focus and less explicit intimacy.

Trav3lingman

Hopefully Honor of Duty gets a follow up. Awesome book.

Anonymous

Just, YES. EVERY BOOK!

Jeff Ford

The name doesn’t seem to matter. I’ve read (and really enjoyed) all of your books. You and Stry seem to write very entertaining no matter which name you put on the cover. I’ve wondered why (since it’s not a secret) bother with multiple pen names. Most of the writers who do/did it was to keep books secret due to content or to write different genres under different names. Neither is true for you. Additionally, we know you’re putting together a “MCU” environment and the name differences confuse me. I went back and read SSoSH and then wanted to read WW and had to remember your other name while my books were sorted by “Author”. Just my $0.02…… Hope you get well soonest.

Anonymous

Wasn't there a 3rd name out there as well? ;)

Dennis Palsson

I read all three. You tell a good story and have fun worlds. Even the series that I didn’t like (Remnant) was way better than other very prolific authors in the genre. So your worst (imo) is better than a lot of ‘good’ writers.

Michael Liebenow

I read all 3. I enjoy them all equally, but it is sometimes nice to have the "clean" format of Arand when I want to expose someone to your books and it might be awkward to listen together with them to Andy's wonderful reading of your more explicit content.

Michael Liebenow

Arand name uses "fade to black" in place of any explicit scene, whereas Darren gives all the raunchy details. As far as I'm aware this is the only difference between the main 2 pen names. The third name is for Reversal where traditional gender roles are flipped which might offend some readers???

P M

A R Rend Arand? Willie willie. Remnant was the best :D

Michael Jackson

I like the sexy stuff and I like the story, the thing for me is the sex makes the books more grown up as I am an adult, the pg13 version I feel also fills a role for those people who just want a very good story and probably pays better. The third name book was a breath of fresh air in the harem genre. I love all your books under all the pen names like I love Daniel schinhofen works, which is why I support you both on Patreon .

DiabolicalGenius

I read and enjoy both. I personally like the sexy stuff so long as it doesn't get in the way of the story, but I understand it's not for everyone and some people prefer it SFW. Still, since it's all part of a connected setting, if they really enjoy your work they'll probably end up reading the Darren stuff anyway to get the whole picture, so they'll end up having to deal with it either way. I don't see the big deal. It's not that hard to skim over the explicit scenes if they're not your cup of tea. They usually don't contain anything plot essential and you can enjoy it well enough without, just like you can enjoy a hotdog well enough without the mustard if it's too hot for you. Heck, it doesn't seem like it'd be that much trouble to do both Arand and Darren versions of all your books if all you have to do is clip out the explicit stuff and replace it with a few lines of text to cover the transition. Since I'm not a proper author though, I might be missing something.

Anonymous

I listen to every book. Can’t wait to listen to Honor Of Duty.

daGrimm

I read both. Sometimes I even read new authors, just in case they turn out to be another pen name of his. I mean, he's done it before. 😏

Anonymous

All of the above and then some. You write it, I will read it.

Anonymous

Keep the names, some folks just want to skip the nsfw parts. I like all of them but lean more to Darren. I’m an adult and want adult content, but understand when some don’t.

James Domec

I enjoy both. All three really.

Yissnakk

Love all your work, but sometimes...when listening to the audible variant, you just don't want wood at the grocery store...

Nukin Futs

Will continue reading A. R. Rend as well.

alk3rio97

I put both...but I could use some more Darren. I feel like the balance is off

Ryn

I don't care one way or another about explicit sex scenes. I know Randy is more... well... randy than William. It would work for standalone trilogies but I think with them both being in the same overall story that it can be confusing to new readers. (I was 4 trilogies deep back and forth before I realized that both authors were the same and it was the same overall story). If they had completely separate storylines or universes, it would be good for those readers who prefer to not have explicit scenes go to William and vise versa for Randy. Maybe a line in the About Author section to let others know about the different pen names and that one needs to read both authors to get the whole story? I don't know. Completely up to you how you wish to do it. BTW I like the A.R. Rend story as well. Waiting for the next one! Now...take it easy and don't complain when the wife pours chicken soup down your throat! I can totally see you mutter grumbling like Runner when the wife is taking care of you. 😁

Anonymous

i love randi books. i think they are bether than arand. but in the end i love them both

Anonymous

I read both, but prefer Arand. That's not to say that Darren is bad. Just prefer the fade to black.