Should I Use a Pen Name for My Writing?

Should you use a pen name for your writing?

Authors have used pen names for centuries.

Think of the Victorian era pen masters, such as the Bronte sisters (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne), who sought to overcome gender discrimination by publishing under masculine pseudonyms – Currer Bell, Ellis Bell, and Acton Bell, or Mary Ann Evans known for her great works under the pen name George Eliot.

In the recent past, you could think of Joanne Rowling, the Harry Potter series author well-known as J.K. Rowling.

When she ventured into a different genre, she chose yet another pseudonym – Robert Galbraith, and her works have done pretty well under the neutral and masculine identities.

Both men and women authors have written under genre-appropriate, neutral, or opposite gender pen names for ages.

And they all do it for various reasons. Some manage to conceal their identities and remain anonymous, while others get outed like James Tiptree, Jr (real identity – Alice Sheldon), Richard Bachman (real identity – Stephen King) or Robert Galbraith (real identity – Joanne Rowling).

In this article, we go into all things pen names to understand what they are, whether it’s okay to use one, and if there are any implications of using a pseudonym instead of one’s real identity.

Areas covered;

• What is a pen name?
• When should you use a pen name?
• Difference between a pen name and a pseudonym
• Famous writers who use pen names
• Pros and cons of using a pseudonym
• FAQs

What Is a Pen Name?

A pen name is an identity assumed by a writer when publishing, which takes the place of their real name. Other popular terms of pen name include nom de plume or pseudonym.

The word pseudonym is derived from the Greek word pseudōnymos, translated as ‘bearing a false name’.

Over the years, authors have used pseudonyms instead of their real names for various reasons.

For example, some have hard-to-pronounce or -remember birth/legal names causing them to opt for more ‘marketable’ names.

Others have felt their names do not augur well with the context of their writing, thus settling for more suitable titles.

Some use pen names for security reasons, especially those writing controversial subjects, while others resort to pseudonyms to avoid confusing readers when publishing under different genres.

Generally, the reasons for using pseudonyms are diverse and unique.

Some are weighty enough to override the cons, while others are not sufficient to justify the foregone benefits for publishing under one’s real identity.

For instance, the Bronte sisters had a cause to assume masculine pen names to overcome the gender bias that existed during the male-dominated literary world of their time.

Fast forward to the 21^st century, the industry is much more welcoming to female authors than it was in the 1800s.

But some still write under masculine or neutral pseudonyms, maybe to attract male readership for their books or other related reasons.

Overall, the decision to assume a pseudonym is entirely up to you.

But we will discuss more on this in a later section to help you weigh your options objectively.

Unless you want to use a pseudonym for security reasons, you might need to carefully consider each option’s merits and demerits, especially if you’re publishing non-fiction.

When Should You Use a Pen Name?

Since there are advantages and disadvantages of using pseudonyms, whose magnitude may vary depending on the reason for concealing your name and the genre you’re publishing in, you may be wondering when it’s ideal to use a pen name.

Below we discuss some possible situations when someone may use a no de plume to give you a better perspective.

Disguise Gender Identity

We have mentioned a bunch of writers who have used neutral and opposite-sex pen names to conceal their gender identity.

The likes of Bronte sisters (Bells), Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot), Steve Watson (S.J. Watson).

Things have long changed, and there may not be much bias against women authors as it was in the 19^th century during the Bronte sisters’ era. But women authors still assume neutral or masculine pseudonyms.

One of their arguments is that men are more likely to pass up even men-associated genres like crime and thrillers if the book author is a female.

Men authors also assume neutral titles to attract female readers for their books.

By so doing, they believe the pseudonym helps them reach more readers.

Branding Reasons

Every name is special.

But some perhaps aren’t the best for the literary world.

For instance, if a person’s name is hard to pronounce or remember (think Arnold Schwarzenegger), a pseudonym may be the best option for marketing reasons.

A title that a reader could easily remember when asked what their latest read was can do you lots of good than going by a real name that you have to repeat and spell out whenever you introduce yourself to a new acquaintance.

Some people have also opted for pseudonyms when their real name does not match the writing genre they intend to publish. E.g., while the romance genre may augur well with a ‘sweetheart’ author name, the same name might not be convincing enough for a horror novel author.

Writing in Different Genres

An author who writes fiction and non-fiction works may consider using different names.

For example, they could author their non-fiction books under their real name (recommended) and then have the fiction genres under pen names.

A good example is Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, who published fiction and non-fiction books.

Dodgson is popularly known for his works published under the pen name Lewis Carroll.

In a more recent case, J.K. Rowling has gone on record, explaining that she used Robert Galbraith for her detective novel to distance her writing persona from herself. Assuming a new persona helped her explore a fresh style independent of her older Harry Potter success.

Collective Authorship

If more than one writer contributes to author a book or book series, they can merge their works into a single identifiable author under a pseudonym.

For instance, sisters Emily and Dorothea Gerard co-authored books under the pen name E.D. Gerard. The British couple Nicci Gerard and Sean French also co-authored psychological thrillers under the pseudonym – Nicci French.

Differentiate Yourself From Another Writer

If a writer shares a name with another famous author, they may need to adopt a pen name to differentiate themselves and build their brand.

For instance, when Sarah Hall discovered another published writer using her name, she opted to go with the name pen name Sarah Vaughan since the writer who preceded her was already successful.

Maintain Anonymity

If you’re writing controversial works, adopting a pseudonym helps avoid exposure and the potential repercussions.

Also, writers who have full-time day jobs may consider using a pseudonym to avoid getting into trouble with the boss.

For other writers, concealing their identity under a pseudonym allows them to express themselves freely without fear of judgment from family, friends, and colleagues.

As a result, you can easily explore issues that would be considered controversial and unlock your creativity without being limited by ‘perceived’ cultural and social standards.

Marketing Reasons

Some authors have also adopted pseudonyms to secure more prominent positions on the bookshelves.

For instance, one could pick a name that places them at an easily accessible place on a bookshelf to increase book visibility.

We are in the era of digital bookstores and libraries, but this might still be a weighty reason, especially if you’re publishing hardcovers.

What Is the Difference Between a Pen Name and a Pseudonym?

The words pen name and pseudonym are used interchangeably. But is there any difference between them?

Ideally, a pen name means a pseudonym that an author uses to conceal their identity when publishing. On the other hand, a pseudonym simply means a fake name.

You can look at it this way, a pen name is used specifically in reference to a publishing writer, but you do not necessarily need to be a writer to use a pseudonym (fake name).

So the difference between the two is that a pen name refers to a writer’s fake name, while a pseudonym refers to a fake name that anyone can use, whether they’re a writer or not.

Famous Writers Who Use Pen Names

We have already mentioned some writers who chose to publish their works under pen names. Actually, they are so many we can barely remember them all. But here is a list with some more.

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson

Dodgson was a 19^th-century writer who wore many hats. He was a mathematician, teacher, photographer, and author (popularly known for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland). The author published both fiction and non-fiction. Those who have read his works may know him as Lewis Carroll, the pen name he chose.

According to LCSNA (Lewis Carroll Society of North America), Dodgson was a modest gentleman who valued his privacy. Hence, his reason to author books anonymously. He would even turn back letters sent to his address under his pen name, claiming no such person lived there.

Alison Potter

Alison Potter’s publisher advised her to change her name to one that would suit her thriller writing well. And that’s how her pen name Ali Knight came about. It sounded just right for her genre.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens

Another 19^th century born writer, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was also a man of many trades. He was a lecturer, humorist, and prolific writer famously known as Mark Twain, a pen name he authored under. Clemens also had other pen names, such as Jefferson Snodgrass and Sieur Louis de Conte.

Jayne Ann Krentz

Jayne Ann Krentz is an American writer with works under romance, fantasy, and suspense genres. As you would guess, she authors her books under different pen names. Though she still authors suspense novels under her real name Jayne Ann Krentz, she adopts pseudonyms Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle for her romance genres. According to her, publishing under different names makes it easier for her readers to know which genre they are getting into whenever they pick a new book.

Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski

A difficult name, right? True. That was the real name of the Polish-British writer who authored Heart of Darkness, Nostromo, Victory, An Outcast of the Islands, among other popular novels. He wrote under the pen name Joseph Conrad.

Ruth Crowley

She was a Chicago nurse and a newspaper columnist who wrote on child-care. To avoid confusing her readers, she chose to author another advice column under the pen name Ann Landers. After she died in 1955, several writers wrote the column under the pseudonym before Esther Lederer alias. Eppie Lederer took over. Ann Landers ran until 2002 after Eppie Lederer died.

Eric Arthur Blair

Eric Arthur Blair was a novelist and journalist well-known for his novels Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four. He authored his works under the pen name George Orwell.

Joanne Rowling

Joanne Rowling is popularly known as J.K. Rowling for her Harry Potter works. Her publisher thought authoring under her real name might not appeal to the target audience of her books (young boys). So she adopted her paternal grandmother’s name, Kathleen, as her middle name and coined the neutral J.K Rowling pen name.

Much later, she used yet another pen name, Robert Galbraith, and authored a completely different genre – crime fiction.

Mary Ann Evans

Another famous novelist from the Victorian era, Mary Ann Evans, is well-known for her works Silas Marner and Middlemarch, penned under the pseudonym George Eliot. She adopted the masculine pen name to avoid discrimination meted on female authors back then. Her success affirms her decision.

 Bronte Sisters

The same fear of discrimination led the Bronte sisters – Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, and Anne Bronte – to adopt masculine pen names to publish their works. However, this trio chose to keep their first initials in their pseudonyms and published as Currer Bell, Ellis Bell, and Acton Bell, respectively.

Eleanor Marie Robertson

Eleanor Marie Roberts is another prolific novelist with many pen names under her title. She writes under the pseudonyms Nora Roberts, J.D. Robb, Jill March, and Sarah Hardesty for her different genres.

Stephen King

Stephen King has published both fiction and non-fiction books. With works across different genres – horror, suspense, crime, fantasy, supernatural, etc. – he has assumed different pen names, including the famous – Richard Bachman. His other pseudonyms include Beryl Evans and John Swithen.

Pros and Cons of Using a Pseudonym

Undoubtedly, there are pros and cons to using a pen name. While some authors have used pen names out of necessity, such as avoiding discrimination or for security reasons, there are times when publishing under one’s real name is more beneficial.

Especially if you’re a non-fiction writer using your real name is more beneficial.

If you plan to build your brand and establish yourself as a credible professional in your field, then you need to get your name out there.

Marketing yourself also becomes easier when you don’t have to conceal your identity under a pen name.

For instance, you can attend interviews, speaking engagements, promote your works on social media, and more.

In other words, you win more trust from people when your identity is known.

But for the fiction writers or even non-fiction writers who have compelling reasons for authoring under a pen name, here are the pros and cons.

Pros of Using a Pen Name

• Enjoy anonymity – If you would like to write about your experiences and fear the exposure would cause embarrassment, you can publish under a pen name. Again, by writing anonymously, you can allow your creativity to run wild or reveal important but embarrassing details of your life without fear of judgment. Moreover, if you have a full-time day job and want to keep your boss in the dark to avoid trouble, authoring under a pen name is safe.
• Explore different genres – See how the likes of Jayne Ann Krentz and Nora Roberts have adopted different pen names for their various works? Pseudonyms help you explore different genres without confusing your readers.
• Publish under an appropriate name – Alison Potter adopting Ali Knight for her thriller novels worked just right. Also, Lewis Carroll or Mark Twain sound much better for fiction authors than Charles Lutwidge Dodgson or Samuel Langhorne Clemens. If you think of it, Joseph Conrad is much easier than Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski. In other words, if your real name stands in the way of your sales as a fiction writer, then adopting a more poetic or memorable pen name can play to your advantage.
• Start afresh – Some writers have adopted pen names to distance themselves from past failures and start afresh. For instance, if you have published unsuccessfully before and would like to shift to another genre, you can take a new identity for your new works and start afresh.

Cons of Using a Pen Name

• Lost marketing opportunities – Publishing under your real name allows you the opportunity to get invites for interviews and events, which can offer a platform for marketing your work. Under a pen name, especially if you decide to remain anonymous, you miss out on possible marketing opportunities.
• No credit – When you publish under a pen name, you forego the credit for your work. This is especially so if you wish to remain anonymous as no one will associate you with the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you copyright a pseudonym?

Usually, copyright protects authorship, so your pseudonym is captured during the copyrighting process. In other words, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can have your work copyrighted using the pseudonym, but you must include a mailing address.

2. How long does the copyright last?

The length of the copyright depends on whether the author’s identity is known or unknown. For instance, for known writers, their copyright ends 50 years after their death. If you write under a pseudonym and your identity is unknown, the copyright ends on the 50^th year after the publishing date or 75^th year after the creation date, whichever comes first.

3. How can you be found after publishing under a pseudonym?

If you publish under a pseudonym for other reasons besides remaining anonymous and don’t mind people reaching out to you, those interested in your works can find you through your publisher. Also, if you register your books with a platform like Copibec, you can include your pseudonyms in your author account, so they can easily link those interested to you.

4. What should I do to publish under a pseudonym?

There’s no carved-in-stone formula for using a pseudonym. Some authors have submitted their finished work to publishers under their real names only to get a recommendation to adopt a pen name.

Nonetheless, if you have some work underway or intend to start publishing under a pen name, you should first decide on your preferred name and then research to ensure it’s unique. Also, you need to claim the name before using it in your works.

Then, of course, you should share your chosen pseudonym with your publisher.

Conclusion

The decision to use a pen name entirely rests on you.

Unless you’re publishing non-fiction and it’s not controversial enough to necessitate authoring undercover, then you should write under your real name.

This way, you don’t miss opportunities to market yourself in events, news channels, social media, etc.

Besides, using your real name allows you to build your brand and establish yourself as a trusted leader in your industry, factors that are crucial to your success as a non-fiction author.

Otherwise, if you must use a pen name, you have the liberty to do so.

Moreover, using a pseudonym also comes with a load of benefits, such as – the ability to publish different genres without confusing the readers, avoiding potential controversy when writing embarrassing or controversial subjects, taking up a more suitable name for your genre, differentiating yourself from another famous writer with a similar name, and so forth.

Ideally, after weighing your reasons and considering what you stand to gain or lose for either decision, you should be able to know which option is best for you – pen name or real name.