Should i use a pen name for my book

The problem is i really want to use a pen name that sounds more commercial and fitting to the genre i write in ya romance, my legal name being too exotic to write and pronounce. The book would tell many true stories about the people and situations we ran across both in a positive and negative way. Seuss has published books under the pen name theo lesieg. Now lets say that you have insider information for your industry, and you dont want people to. I have always used e j lamprey as my pen name, so when i turned indie it was the automatic choice. All right, so three reasons why you may want to use a pen name. In the example above, i believe the journalist wanted to create two bylines. Jan 26, 2018 all right, so three reasons why you may want to use a pen name. Thats how many famous authors back then got their books published, because being a writer and a female back then wasnt proper. In this video we talk about whether or not you should be using a pen name or your real name when publishing low content books.

Oct 25, 2017 using a pen name when writing a book is neither good nor bad. Perhaps they simply dont want to be bothered by fans or haters. Before deciding to use a pen name, consult a lawyer for assistance in avoiding these issues. For all the writers in the world that have achieved phenomenal success under their pseudonyms, the number of authors that have blundered and misused the anonymity pen names afford them is even greater. Dont use a pen name to avoid a preexisting contract. Sep 26, 2014 dont use a pen name to avoid a preexisting contract. In this blog longtime book editor kelly notaras lays out the. How and when should writers use a pen name or pseudonym. Jul 03, 2014 my friend and i worked in the public sector for many years and we would like to write a book about our experiences. This is because i only want to put my name behind books that is my own personal work that my followers have come to know. And, of course, always default to the individual editors or literary agents submission guidelines if heshe specifies. You can use your trademark on all of your work legally. How, she wondered, would the use of a pen name affect her to her work. It was familiar, and it kept my work and private lives completely separate.

The pros and cons of using a pen name kn literary arts. Why i write under a pen name the writing cooperative. I have set up an author facebook page from my personal account. As a fanfiction writer under a pen name, should i use the same name for book publishing. Why not lump all my books together under my real name. If they decide to adopt one, how should writers use a pen name or pseudonym. I would like to get a mail address for the pen name, but it looks like i need to file a dba doing business as under that name first and then itd only take a quick computer search for. Look through a book of baby names or do an online search to find one you fancy. To separate the authors books into different types. If your name is lacey darling and youre writing a spy thriller, having a cooler name might influence just enough early buyers to make a difference. A pen name is a name an author uses in place of their real name when publishing. So how do you know if you should use a pen name or not.

It is, however, a lot more difficult for advertising, blogging, tweeting, book signings, etc to remain so anonymous. I want my clients to just see me at work, not search for my writing. Your pen name will be with you forever, so be sure its meaningful and makes sense for your career. A pen name is whats listed as the authors name on a published book, and readers often do not know the real name or identity of the author.

Use a pen name to remain gender neutral or to change your gender if i used a pen name, this would be my primary motivation. There are lots of reasons for using a pen name, but in todays world it seems to boil down to three main categories. Seven legal myths about pen names sidebar saturdays. I used my blog to introduce my pen name and by the time my book came out, i have readers both, referring to me as debby and d. And the list goes on and on amongst many other famous pen names and authors. Jan 14, 2020 click to continue when should a writer use a pen name or pseudonym. The writer already had a byline as a journalist and wanted to break into. Avoid any name already used by a writer, since that is likely to.

The authors real name is likely known to the publisher but not to the public. Using a pseudonym will allow you to create a new identity for yourself and play around with any name you like. Book title generator the ultimate bank of 10,000 titles. You should take your time when choosing a pseudonym and make sure it suits your genre. The book will be in both english and hungarian languages, but now i am wondering about using a pen name or not. In other words, you might be better using a pen name for one genre or the other. Sep, 2018 if you search my pen name, its likely youll find just me. I mean, i want to a pen name with a nongenderably distinguished sound, since i find that sometimes people have the gender stereotypes as you said, but the pen name is just so absurd, itd be odd to see it on any kind of book, whether it be ebooks or. But then, with social media, i realised i had to decide how to present myself online. If youve written something in the past that youre not particularly proud of or content that youd like to distance yourself from, a pen name can provide a new beginning for you.

Or i thought about putting my name in small print in the first page of. Many writers use pen namesbut theres a right way and a wrong way to publish your book, stories, poems, or essays under a pseudonym. You thought you could enjoy a double life librarian by day, perhaps, undercover. I chose to use my middle name as my pen name, as my first name is too tricky.

Im thinking of using my alias on this little publication mainly because of name recognition although i also like keeping it private. Should i use a pen name or my real name when publishing. The pen name meaning is an assumed name used by a writer instead of. If you do use one, be ready to take on that new persona even if its very similar to your actual identity. I will register the with the office using my real name but will also write what my pen name is, but i dont want to put that on the book as i want that kept private.

Perhaps you can use your characters name in the book and list the author as, by your characters name as told to jennifer jones. Mar 28, 2012 i am wondering there is an author with the same name as mine. Since i want to self publish to amazon and smash words, i am worried about the copy right, living in the uk. You should have a solid reason for using a pen name to selfpublish your book. Generate a random story title thats relevant to your genre. I came up with a completely different name for my romance books because my other books are for children. I thought of making a company and putting the book as part of the company to say that the book belongs to it rather than myself. I kept my first name because i like it and changed my surname to adams after my nan s maiden name. Here are reasons why i use a pen name and what you need to think about when. I just want to keep from getting confused with someone else in. How to use a pen name in your query letter huffpost. You can claim a domain name relatively cheaply, even if you dont plan on creating a website for your pen name yet. I do try to keep it separate from my real name, although i am published in my real name as well.

Many authors choose a pen name for privacy reasons. Is there a way to like other pages from my author page to connect with them. And, of course, always default to the individual editors or literary agents submission guidelines if heshe specifies the method by which you should note your pen name. Should you write your book under your own name, or should you use a pen name. I like to publish books under pen names if i didnt personally write the book myself. Now, however, publishers are required to inform the irs via form 1099 of payments made to writers, which means that they must have your social security number and your. Pros and cons of using a pen name writing a book chatebooks. Actors and artists often use fictitious names, and writers sometimes choose to create under a different persona as well. How much more work does each pen name create for you. Aug 09, 2006 perhaps you can use your characters name in the book and list the author as, by your characters name as told to jennifer jones.

Apr 28, 2017 your publisher will know your real name in order to pay you royalties. I chose to use a pen name because i dont like my surname, and i never felt like it was particularly writerly. I do not care to register my book with a, because then you have to list your real name. However, if the author with your ideal pen name exists but has not published many books recently or hasnt sold many books, you may want to just use that pen name anyway. My book is a first person narrative memoir and i too am publishing with a pen name to protect the privacy of the children in my book. I didnt sign a noncompete clause or anything, but i want a gap between work and writing. I kept my first name because i like it and changed my surname to adams after my nans maiden name.

Jan 02, 20 how, she wondered, would the use of a pen name affect her to her work. Trademark your pen name if you want to identify a body of work such as a book series or screenplays. Perhaps theres a professional or community reputation they want to keep separate from their creative endeavors. Anyway, you should definitely use a pen name if you want to continue in this business. He wondered whether radio and tv interviewers would be willing to use the pen name during an interview or would insist on using his birth name. I work in a field where its rather unusual for people to be writers. In the past, one could often use a pseudonym for all editorial correspondence, and simply make an arrangement with ones bank to have checks deposited under ones pen name. Go to the website for the united states patent and trademark office and use the trademark electronic search system tess to check that the words or name you want to trademark are available. Berkley prime crime owned the rights to the series and the author name so they could hire someone else to write more books in the series if i. Otherwise they just see my like from my personal age, and it means. There are no concrete rules when it comes to using a pen name in your book, short prose, or poetry submissions. Manuscript submissions under a pen name mel menzies. If you have granted a traditional publisher firstrefusal rights or have signed a confidentiality agreement as part of a legal settlement or employment agreement, a pen name wont change anything. Mar 29, 2019 establish accounts under your pen name.

If youre agonizing over your book title, youre not alone. It is simply a tool that is only as effective as the author exercising it. Some of the best book titles today emerged only after much teeth gnashing. Good luck with the book, and i d love to hear how it goes. I kept my first name because i like it and changed.

Theres not really a right or wrong answer on thisunless you do share a name with a wellknown author andor celebrity. Another reason to choose selfpublishing under an alternative name could be because the authors real name is too long. One client i represented, who asked my advice about using a pen name, was a former cia operative. I decided it was simpler to keep all things author under the one name.

I understand the patriarchal undertones that still flow through present society. Perhaps they are writing something controversial and fear backlash or even retaliation. Your publisher will know your real name in order to pay you royalties. I am wondering there is an author with the same name as mine.

You can pick between fantasy, crime, mystery, romance, or scifi. If theres another author with that pen name already, you may want to find a new pen name. To use or not use a pen name or pseudonym is a personal choice. I could just simplify my name, like regi lindedal lindedal is my middlename.

If you write a book under the pen name taylor swift or derek jeter, you may be accused of trying to pass yourself off as the celebrity. My book is a guide for parents about kids and technology so i wish to be taken seriously. Another reason you might want a pen name is if you write in very different fields. Using a pen name can also complicate selling subsidiary and reprint rights to your work, your heirs inheritance of your rights and foremost, the processing of your advance and royalty payments. Using a pen name when writing a book is neither good nor bad. Many people could use a fresh start in their writing careers. Even if they love the book, they wont share it or comment on it, because its just a book, and they cant forge a relationship with a book. Id like to encourage my fellow women writers to feel confident in publishing under traditionally feminine names. On the other hand, i see no reason to not use your real name as the author. Jun 11, 2014 the problem is i really want to use a pen name that sounds more commercial and fitting to the genre i write in ya romance, my legal name being too exotic to write and pronounce. Mar 29, 2019 using a pen name can also complicate selling subsidiary and reprint rights to your work, your heirs inheritance of your rights and foremost, the processing of your advance and royalty payments. If you need ideas, you can use an online pen name generator. The name i use is part of my full name so there hasnt been a problem with creating a legal entity just the odd sensation as the lamprey name slowly gains ground that i am developing a split. I liked a page relevant to my book, but it showed as a like on my personal page.

I know i could query using my legal name and discuss this later with an agent when heshe offers a representation, but what about the platform. Avoid any name already used by a writer, since that is likely to confuse readers. A pen name is whats listed as the authors name on a published book, and readers often do not know. I made the mistake of forgetting to make a new twitter handle when i started writing and before i realized it i already had over one thousand followers and didnt want to jeopardize my following so i left it as is. Youve written something terrific, but what should you call yourself. Another point to consider is that if your book sales to date are poor, you may be better off submitting a new proposal to publishers under a pen name. If you search my pen name, its likely youll find just me. This is true even if you self publish unless youre going whole hog vanity publishing and carting paperbacks around to peddle them yourself in which case dont worry about cop. Click to continue when should a writer use a pen name or pseudonym. I would like to get a mail address for the pen name, but it looks like i need to file a dba doing business as under that name. Jodi picoult says her books are placed in the womens fiction category not because of their content, but because of her lady parts.