Pen Names http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158 aliaswriter What is the purpose of them? I thought it was to have your real identity remain anonymous, but can't you just get it from the copyright page? Or am I totally off base? Please let me know if I'm wrong. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:38:15 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1134237 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1134237 Pickwick12 Some people use them to distinguish one type of writing from another. If someone who is famous for writing mystery novels decides to publish a fantasy novel, sometimes they use a different name to establish a different writer identity. It's not that no one can figure out who it is; my understanding is that it's more about the feeling/character that the name on the book gives to the work. It could be a myth, but I read that JK Rowling used initials instead of her first name because the publisher thought it would do better if the author name sounded more masculine. We're past the days of women sneaking books to publishers under masculine names. Nowadays, we can figure out who wrote a book, but the writer name is a stylistic element. There may be more ramifications of it that someone else can share as well. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:53:28 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1134269 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1134269 Voirey-Linger Books can be copyrighted under pen names. Mine all are. Also, people use pen names for different reasons. While I am one who uses it for privacy, others may use them because they don't like their legal name, they have a hard to spell name, they write in several genres, there is another author published under their name or what they write has an apparent conflict with their career (such as a lawyer who writes legal thrillers -- clients could feel their privacy could be compromised). Also, there are still gender biases. They swing by genre, but they are there. It's hard for a male name to sell in romance, for example. Another common reason for a pan name is because the book is written by two people. I know of several writing partnerships who publish under a single pen name. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:25:10 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136261 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136261 aliaswriter Thanks for the responses, it has helped me understand more. How does one go about getting a book copyrighted under a pen name (particularly self-published)? There are some stories that I want to publish under the traditional route, but others that I want to self-publish. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:58:39 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136489 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136489 Aria617 As soon as you write a book it's copyrighted. You just write on the permissions page (c) Pen Name Year (so, for example, me (c) Natalie Bell 2012.) while laying out your book. If you want to go through the copyright office (and have it officially on the books) you just fill out their forms. I'm pretty sure there's a pen name section on there. You don't necessarily have to, though. Like I said, if your words are down on paper, it's copyrighted under whatever name you want to put it as. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:39:25 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136527 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1136527 simply_complex I'm using the pen name Jay (spelling out the first letter of my name) for privacy and because it's more unisex. Some of my stories have a male MC and I don't want guys to discriminate (J.K. Rowling syndrome?). Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:59:05 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1152642 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1152642 Spuggey I'm putting my real name on my books because if I ever get one published, I want everyone to know that I wrote it! If they want me to be gender neutral, it's very easy because my first name can be shortened to a male name that's been my nickname amongst family and friends for years anyway! Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:48:07 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1161810 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1161810 aliaswriter So what happens in regards to marketing if you use a pen name for anonynomity? PR things like book signings, etc. Because isn't that a large part of getting exposure for your book? But then people would have a face to the pen name. Sat, 25 Feb 2012 20:36:18 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1169637 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1169637 Voirey-Linger That is discretionary on the part of the author. I don't want people in my home town knowing I'm Voirey, but I'll be doing an appearance and book signing at a convention in another state in October. I have no problem with signing books for a local bookstore to sell, or working with a local store to promote me as a local author without a personal appearance. I will note that signings aren't as vital as you seem to believe. They are one option, yes, but unless you are above midlist, book signings as local and store events are unlikely to draw many people. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:45:34 +0000 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1172783 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1172783 Lacey Fay I have a pen name as well, but it's my actual first name and my first middle name - it's the name I use on the site, for those curious. I do it because I tend to write fantasy and science fiction, and my middle name has a much nicer rhythm when applied to my first name, than my last name. As for the fantasy and sci-fi bit, "Lacey Fay" is a pretty cool name for a fantasy writer, if I do say so myself. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:32:26 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1245202 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1245202 Tolaura Bookchild I write smut. Terrible awful horrible smut. But I get paid to it. I do not want my mother on amazon to see my name associated said smut. I mean she knows I write smut but I don't want to rub it in. Also, once I get this scifi novel out of me into the world I'd like it to not be directly associated with said smut. Sat, 31 Mar 2012 14:31:11 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1250747 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1250747 DisneyTime I've been considering it for sort of sentimental reasons - my favourite family member was my great grandfather, it's a part of the family I'm very proud of and he didn't have any sons. So I'm considering - if I ever getting published - using his last name. But idk. Also if you have a very similar name to a well-known author, you might want to distinguish yourself. Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:44:41 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1273463 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1273463 Saspirilla As I intend to go into an academic science career, I'll be expected to publish research findings, which will be in my real name. I may have to think about a Pen Name and have been toying with Sassie Thorburn (my nana's maiden name) for fantasy-related stuff, or Sassie Thunor. I would have gone with S.L. McIntosh, but there's already a McIntosh who writes in the fantasy genre. I think if you need to publish in very different environments (academic science and fantasy novels, for example) having a Pen Name would be a good way to distinguish between the two. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:19:02 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1280737 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1280737 TogetherAgain Another reason to use a pen name is if your real name is very common. A quick Google search just revealed that there are at least 854 people with "my" first and last name in the United States alone, and several of them are already fairly public figures. Ten pages into this Google search, I've seen links for an "environmental living expert," two college professors, a Realtor, an advocate for autism awareness, and a Canadian Olympic medalist... not to mention one or two other writers, and nothing at all even remotely related to me. So, do I try to compete with all of that, or do I come up with a pen name? I still haven't entirely decided, and I probably won't really worry about it until I have a story that's actually ready for publication. Of course, the OTHER option would be for me to hold off on publishing until I'm married, with the assumption that my married name will be far less common than my maiden name... But since it doesn't really look like Mr. Right will be showing up any time soon, I don't think that's really the best plan. Besides, with my luck, the man of my dreams will happen to be named "Smith." Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:56:20 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1283742 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1283742 42n8 Me Wow. I had considered using a pen name; but now that I've googled both my real name and the pen name I was thinking of using, it's clear: I NEED to use my pen name. LOL Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:20:37 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1284108 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1284108 andresanthomas There are a lot of reasons for pen names. Privacy, selecting a gender that might better suit your genre, distinguishing a brand, making your name either more common or more unique... If you do go with a pen name, make sure you google it first. Pick something that is so generic it can be anyone or so unique it can only be you. NEVER put your pen name and your real name in the same email, website, etc. Do not put the real name on the cover or in the copyright notice. Do not create anything where someone can google the pen name and get both names to pop up. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:14:50 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1292647 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1292647 Voirey-Linger [quote=andresanthomas] There are a lot of reasons for pen names. Privacy, selecting a gender that might better suit your genre, distinguishing a brand, making your name either more common or more unique... If you do go with a pen name, make sure you google it first. Pick something that is so generic it can be anyone or so unique it can only be you. NEVER put your pen name and your real name in the same email, website, etc. Do not put the real name on the cover or in the copyright notice. Do not create anything where someone can google the pen name and get both names to pop up. [/quote] ... Unless of course you don't care who knows your real name. Not everyone has reasons to have a top-secret pen name. And be aware that copyright protections are different for pen name and legal name. Make sure you know the legal ramifications of both before you choose which to use for the copyright. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:24:41 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1293095 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1293095 andresanthomas If you don't care who knows the real name, then there's really no point in bothering with creating a separate identity is there? There's a lot of work involved in marketing your book, establishing your brand, etc. that has to happen under whatever name the book is published under. If it doesn't matter, use your real name and don't split your efforts. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 05:44:50 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1295607 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1295607 Voirey-Linger Everyone has different needs when it comes to pen names. I know several people who market under a pen name but don't hide their real name. The name on the front cover is a marketing name. It serves a purpose. There is another author publishing under my real name. Using it would cause some confusion. Some names are hard to spell and remember. Some authors sign contracts that give exclusive rights to anything written under that name to one publisher. If they want to send anything anywhere else, they need a new name. (This happened with the recording artist, Prince, who gave exclusive rights to anything recorded by Prince to Time Warner for a designated number of years. When he decided he could not work with the company, he had his name legally changed to a symbol, which created a legal loophole, freeing him from the contract perimeters.) There are as many reasons for pen names as there are people who use them. The degree of separation from the name is completely dependent on the author's comfort level. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:06:59 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1296084 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1296084 aliaswriter What if you have a pen name, and need to sign contracts? Do you sign them with your legal name, or the pen name? Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:45:25 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1298140 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1298140 Voirey-Linger Contracts are signed with legal names and checks are issued to legal names. Pen names are not real people can't can't enter legally binding contract agreements, pay taxes or hold bank accounts, so that is done under an author's real name. There are complicated options for setting up the pen name as a legal business entity, but it is possible to publish within your comfort level, from 'everyone knows' to 'top secret' without that. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:09:50 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1298897 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1298897 sarasvati.river I've always thought that I would want to publish my work under my real name. However, a few years ago, I got out of an abusive marriage and I have had some problems with my ex stalking me. Now I am trying to do everything that I can to protect my privacy and make sure that he doesn't know where I am, what I'm doing, hide all of my online presences (delete social networking accounts or friends-lock them), etc. Now, the thought of trying to market myself under my real name makes me scared, because I would need to have a public presence again and my name would be back out there. Do you think that for my safety, it would be a better idea for me to publish under a pen name that wasn't linked to my real identity? How much of your personal information do you have to put out there when you market your name/books? Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:24:50 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1305657 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1305657 g.cook2013 I always tossed around the idea of writing under the pen name Judith Hale - Judith because it's my absolute favorite name for a woman and Hale because it's my grandfather's first name and the middle name of my brothers and all my paternal uncles so it has a pretty deep family connection. Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:47:33 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1309558 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1309558 g.cook2013 Do you have a name that's really common (like Mary Smith), or one that's a little more unique/unusual? If it's more common, then publishing under a pen name probably wouldn't make too much of a difference. If it's more unusual, then a pen name would probably offer you a lot more privacy in the publishing world. Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:51:43 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1309562 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1309562 Voirey-Linger My primary concern with my pen name is my ex, so I understand this completely. I requested the highest level of confidentiality from my publisher and am very careful about pen name vs. real name. I have a separate email account, yahoo ID, Facebook and everything else. My family doesn't know my pen name and none of them follow me. I don't use my pen name to follow my real name or vice-versa. This pen name is only connected to the real me by a family name that is several generations removed from me. I never considered publishing under my real name. Being an author requires me to be a public figure on some level, and I'm private my nature. While I can't completely separate my real name from my pen name, there is nothing in my pen name that immediately points to me, and there is no information that can be casually gleaned that leads from the pen name profile or information back to real me. You wouldn't need to be a high-end hacker to find it, but it's as buried as is practical. Interestingly, in the past few years another author in my genre has begun publishing under my legal name. Throws me for a loop every time I see it. Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:14:56 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1309844 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1309844 trill_gutterbug I'm definitely all on board with pen names. In my personal case, I'll be using a pen name (although my real name is relatively unique, and would probably look nice on a book cover) because almost all of my family is fiercely Christian! And I am most certainly not. Everything I write is full of sex, violence, homosexuality, magic, science (gasp!), etc. By no means am I ashamed of what I write, but my father's pretty much on the verge of disowning me, now. I can't even imagine what would happen if he read something I wrote (not that he ever darkens the door of a bookstore, or reads anything but Biblical handbooks...). Also, the concept of various family members reading some of the smut I write is just... ergh. Not good. I'll be telling select family members what my pen name is, and swearing them to secrecy, though! Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:25:40 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1313561 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1313561 thrilleraddict I am thinking about using a pen name for the novels I write ( and for the one I just finished 15 minutes ago. :) ) that aren't in line with Conservative Christian beliefs. The novel I just finished has teenage sex in it, and one adult sex scene. I loved writing that book. XD Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:38:26 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1330747 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1330747 mystic-mayhem I may use a pen name to fit more nicely with my book's plot and themes, and also because I don't want people around me to think any of my characters are based off them, because they most certainly are not. I overthink everything, so settling on one I like will definitely take me a while. Good thing I'm only on the planning of my FIRST book in a trilogy (first draft will be for June camp) so I have time to think about it :P Tue, 01 May 2012 03:32:31 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1332712 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1332712 crazygirl9310 See, I'm using several different pen names for the opposite reason! I'm working on a religious fiction piece right now that is very loosely based on my freshman year of college! I didn't even want my friends who already knew Zeeva was my regular pen name to figure it out. I had the hardest time finding a pen name but I combined a nice first name with the guy I'm head over heels in love with's last name. Of course, this book is less likely to lose me friendships than the books published under Zeeva will. Wed, 02 May 2012 21:40:12 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1336689 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=1#forum_thread_comment_1336689 Diamond Jester I have two pen names I plan on using for my writings for three different reasons: 1) The last name of my real name is pretty difficult. While yes, i don't have to use my last name, it's really a distinguishable last name 2) I want to gauge people's reactions without having to acknowledge the fact that it's me. I'm also a little afraid of how bad the book may fail. XP 3) I have two pen names because they are both covering pretty broad areas. One pen name is for things along the lines of fantasy & scifi while the other is covering more "real" based stories such as thoughs strictlin in comedy, crime, drama, etc. I may change my mind come the time I have to get a book published, but I would still use at least one for the third reason. And I may let my real name be released later in my life Mon, 14 May 2012 05:18:08 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1367203 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1367203 Nessabutterfly I have a rare name and I share it with a stripper. Urg. I would publish under my maiden name, but it has always been unpronounceable. I was happy to ditch it. Maybe my mom's maiden name? Or my Grandma's? I think I'll just suck it up and stick with what I've got though. The stripper isn't overly well known-- just the first few google hits. And since she's not even close to being a writer, it's not likely to be a problem. Thu, 17 May 2012 09:48:37 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1375772 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1375772 Earthsick If your maiden name is too hard to spell: maybe you could spell it easier and then use it as a pen name? I guess it really depends on the name, though. (Like, my last name wouldn't get any easier to spell if I'd change the spelling. Otherwise it would probably sound different - then again, people who just read it often can't pronounce it right away.) Fri, 18 May 2012 09:55:06 +0100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1378710 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/novel-draft-aftercare/threads/50158?page=2#forum_thread_comment_1378710