When I first started to get serious about publishing one of my stories, my cousin suggested that I might want to consider writing under a pen name. The reason was to protect my private life if my books ever become popular. For example; Jane Smith could be the name everyone who reads Jane Smith's book know her by, but her real name is Mary Jones. I guess I should add that Crytal Stevens would be my pen name (My real name is something else entirely).
Do any of you use pen names or have ever considered doing so, and why? Why would you use your own name and not even consider using a pen name?
Can you tell I'm new at this and eager to learn? I hope you folks don't mind these kinds of questions, because I'll probably be asking more of them off and on .
Posted by Wolfe_boy (Member # 5456) on :
I've never used a pen name, and I would never consider using one. I like my name, it is distinctive enough that it won't easily be confused with other writers, and it's who I am. I'm not really that concerned with receiving undue attention on my personal life - in my opinion that really only becomes a serious issue once you've achieved King-Rowling-Paolini levels of fame/infamy. My name is listed at the bottom of my posts, the email address I have linked here (and pretty much anywhere else I go) is my home address, and the webpage I have linked to has a fair bit of personal info about me. While all of this might come bite me in the ass some day (like a month or so ago when I critiqued someone's First 13 Challenge entry a little harshly and found myself added to a series of webpages, Star Trek RPG's, and others with usernames like Fairyfield, Merrybuttmunch, and a few other more colorful names) I'm not that concerned about it.
Certainly, very many authors use pen names, for a variety of reasons - name too common, name too difficult to pronounce or understand, desires for privacy, etc. If it's something you want to do, feel free.
Jayson Merryfield
Posted by Grovekeeper (Member # 5650) on :
When (if) I publish my various fiction WIPs, it will be under a pen name. When I publish the non-fiction work that I am writing, it will be under the name that I use every day (a nickname, because I hate my real name).
The reason for the two names is that my everyday name is associated in a very public way with my church (and the nonfiction that I am writing is church-related). My fiction is not, in any sense, related to the church, and I do not want the implicit association of "Hey, I know that name! That guy's the minister over at..."; my fiction should not trade, or reflect, directly on the reputation of my church, and it should not be assumed that my church in any way endorses my fiction work.
Which is not to say that it'll take the CIA, the KGB, and MI-6 to determine that my fiction pen name and my nonfiction/everyday name are the same guy; I just don't want it to be obvious on the face of it.
-G
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
I've considered pen names, mostly for aesthetic reasons, but also because I'd like to write in a variety of genres, and don't necessarily want my name branded for all of those, I.e, oh her, she only writes fantasy. What's the deal with her mysteries? I'm probably being over sensitive. I know lots of authors who write in a variety of genres with their own name.
I suppose there's something... hm, can't think of the word. But the idea of taking on a persona to write a certain book appeals to me. Helps me free myself, maybe, from my own constraints.
[This message has been edited by annepin (edited June 06, 2008).]
Posted by Tiergan (Member # 7852) on :
Ask away Crystal.
As far as this question, I hope to use a variation of my name and initials when the day comes.
Also you might want to try a search of the forum, as if memory serves me correctly, there was a lengthy thread on this subject not too long ago.
Posted by JustInProse (Member # 7872) on :
I once very strongly concidered a pen name, mostly because I just really loved the name. I have always loved the sound of William Armstrong, so I started thinking to myself, "If that can't be my name, and I don't want to slap my parents in the face by changing mine, I can use it as a pen name!"
It lasted for a while, but I eventually realized that I didn't want to have to worry about anything unnecessary. Besides, I always loved being an Armstrong, and I somehow feel (even if I'm keeping my last name the same), that writing under William rather than Justin changes it. It's not a real Armstrong, its a made up one. I don't know why...just a weird thing. My last name is big to me, for various reasons, so I decided to forget William and save it for a baby name or something.
In you situation, seeing as you are writing in two very different genres already anyway, the pen name shouldn't be a big deal. It might set you free, kind of like Annepin said.
Best of luck either way.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
My pro-pub is under a pseudonym. I thought long and hard about what that name would be before coming up with one. I didn't use a name that, alphabetically, would land me in the middle of the shelf; I chose a play on my initials and paid homage to a writer who recently passed away (who, incidentally, used a pseudonym, too).
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
The only time I've ever put a pen name on something was a stab at a Harlequin Romance, where they pretty much insist on girl names for their writers. (It was rejected, and, believe me, it was bad.)
I can't figure out why people use phony names right here, much less on their books. Such is my need for attention that I want my name on nearly everything I write...why would I forego that need by publishing under a name that's not mine?
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
My stories are published under Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury, and I'm fine with that.
My problem is that there is someone out there named Katherine Woodbury who has has some short stories published as well, and under her real name.
I wish she would use a pen name, but since I can't do anything about getting her to do that, I have considered using one myself.
Posted by Doctor (Member # 7736) on :
KDW, I'm curious, why is your name hyphenated when published?
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Doctor, because that's my actual name.
I don't have a hyphen here because the software wouldn't accept it, but I go by Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury everywhere else.
Posted by EP Kaplan (Member # 5688) on :
EP Kaplan is my penname, mostly because David Kaplan, my real name, is invariably already being used by people in every other field imaginable, no doubt including writing. A college buddy suggested the name because it: 1- Keeps my real last name, which is important to me. I feel no need to follow in the footsteps of hundreds of other Jews and hide my ancestry in order to gain acceptance. Especially not with us already controlling the media (nudge nudge wink wink). 2- Seemed simple and catchy. 3- Was 'epic'. (snare drum roll here)
Posted by nitewriter (Member # 3214) on :
I have never used a pen name and never would. I'll be damned if some alias is going to take credit for what I write. If you get to the point of fame and the hassles it may cause, so what? It comes with the territory. I remember when Haley hit it big with his book "Roots". He mentioned in a subsequent article something like - "I hope to God nothing like Roots ever happens to me again." Ya, right Alex. All the fame and going to the bank with a ton of loot is real tough to take eh? How disingenuous can you get?
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Well, "nitewriter," you are letting a name take credit for what you've written right here. Really, I doubt most of the posters 'round these parts were born with the names they post under. (I was.)
It puzzles me a little...since we're writers, and one point of this enterprise is to promote our work...how will anybody know how to find it if we post under an odd made-up name?
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I once knew a producer (I've recently told this story at Liberty Hall) who has written songs for some famous bands. He was a quirky guy who, every so often, would dress completely in Denims. I mean jeans, a denim jacket, denim shirt, tie and hat--completely. He'd do that and disappear four hours at a time. When I asked him why, he told me it was his "song-writin' suit". He produced a number of hit songs in that strange get-up. He said it "set him free".
That's why I use a pseudonym. It's my "fiction-writin' suit", and set me free...to babble as inarticulately as I want.
Posted by TaleSpinner (Member # 5638) on :
When I joined Hatrack I was going to use my real name; it's easy to figure it out from my e-mail address. But so many people use an alias (is it a "handle" in internet-speak?) I thought well, there must be a reason so I'll make one up too. Since then I've discovered it's just a bit of fun and there's no real reason.
But now that you mention it, IB, it has become a way of distinguishing between my writing persona and my others (father, jazz lover, professional, bar fly, etc). As TS, I explore the galaxies of time and write about them--and sometimes I crash and burn.
Cheers, Pat
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
I use my real name because I want people who know me to know it's me.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
quote: Why would you use your own name and not even consider using a pen name?
Let's turn that question around. Why would you use a pen name and not even consider using your own name?
Posted by Jo1day (Member # 7800) on :
Mmm. I like the idea of writing various kinds of fiction under different pseudonyms, but then no one like me would be able to find my stuff in other genres if I did that (I tend to follow authors that I like)
As for using a psuedonym, I think I might use a slight respelling of my last name, so that people get the phonetics right.
Huffaker = Huffacre, HuffAcre, Huff-Acre
Posted by Doctor (Member # 7736) on :
One advantage of a pen-name is that you are free to write about anything, even topics your friends and family might be uncomfortable with. Using your real identity might make some writers feel limited, because they know they'll personally be judged by what they write.
[This message has been edited by Doctor (edited June 11, 2008).]
.
