Pseudonyms: 10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Pen Name

Website design By BotEap.comPseudonyms abound in writing circles. What is in short supply is clear and insightful advice on how to choose the best pseudonym for a long-term career in novel writing.

Website design By BotEap.comLet’s have a little fun. Take a look at the names of these genre fiction authors: Robin Hobb, Stephen King, Jack Higgins, Rebecca Brandewyne, Issac Asimov, Barbara Michaels, Alistair MacLean, Eboni Snoe …

Website design By BotEap.comDo they write novels under pseudonyms or not?

Website design By BotEap.com(Read on for exciting answers to your pop quiz.)

Website design By BotEap.comOne of the biggest decisions you’ll face as a newly hired author is whether or not to write under a pseudonym. Choosing a pseudonym, which is sometimes called a pseudonym or nom de plume, will also be one of your biggest creative challenges. In fact, it is much more difficult to name yourself than to name a character when you are writing novels!

Website design By BotEap.comWhenever fiction writers ask me for advice on pseudonyms, they usually ask:

Website design By BotEap.coma) Why do published authors choose to write under a pseudonym?

Website design By BotEap.comb) How do genre fiction writers choose a “good” pseudonym?

Website design By BotEap.comThe answers are not easy. There are many reasons for writing under a pseudonym. Some considerations are emotional (honoring a family member or mentor); some involve self-protection (keeping aggressive fanatics from tracking you down); And some considerations are strictly professional (your real name is too complex for the average person to pronounce, spell, or remember).

Website design By BotEap.comLater in their novel writing careers, some authors choose to change the name under which they write. There are a variety of reasons for this decision, including:

Website design By BotEap.comThe author wishes to write in multiple genres or subgenres of fiction, but does not want to confuse his main readers.

Website design By BotEap.comFor example, successful romance novelist Nora Roberts (her real name) decided to try her hand at futuristic suspense. She chose to write the new genre under the pseudonym JD Robb.

Website design By BotEap.comThe author wants to start over.

Website design By BotEap.comIf an author’s rate of return is 50% or more (after their third published novel), publishers will avoid buying future books from that author. To overcome this “sales stigma”, an author can bury his name (or pseudonym) and give birth to a new pseudonym, waiting for a second chance with publishers and readers.

Website design By BotEap.comChoosing to write novels under a pseudonym is a very personal and often emotional matter. It is important to remember that the decision is essentially a business one. Before finalizing your choice, check with your agent and editor, as well as your spouse.

Website design By BotEap.comYour advisors can help you make the best decision for your novel writing only if you are clear about your long-term career goals. You must carefully consider how publicity (both positive and negative) will affect your life, the lives of your family, and any other businesses you may own now or in the future.

Website design By BotEap.comMost importantly, you need to understand the far-reaching impact of advertising on your privacy, as well as your right to privacy, under the law, after becoming a public figure.

Website design By BotEap.comHere are 10 questions to consider when deciding whether or not to write with a pseudonym:

Website design By BotEap.com1. How comfortable are you with your real name being splashed across the internet, especially if your writing is under attack in a blog post or book review?

Website design By BotEap.com2. Are you likely to attract more readers to your fiction genre if you are writing novels as a man or a woman?

Website design By BotEap.com3. Would your name be easier to remember, pronounce, or spell if it were more generic?

Website design By BotEap.com4. Is your real name so common that it could easily be mistaken for someone else’s name (for example, a highly publicized white-collar criminal or another author of your fictional genre?)

Website design By BotEap.com5. Would you rather err on the side of caution, protecting your loved ones from your followers or any future professional downfall you may suffer?

Website design By BotEap.com6. How comfortable are you with the idea that fans and naysayers can find you in the phone book and show up at your home or workplace?

Website design By BotEap.com7. Is your preferred pseudonym easy to spell and remember?

Website design By BotEap.com8. Does your real name invoke a positive association with the genre of fiction you are writing? (For example, if your birth name is Cherry Clapp, you may face obstacles in the Romance genre.)

Website design By BotEap.com9. Do you plan to write multiple genres of fiction?

Website design By BotEap.com10. Where is your preferred pseudonym likely to be stored? (At the bottom of a bookstore shelves? Near the name of a best-selling author in his fiction genre?)

Website design By BotEap.comGood: I promised you some answers to the mystery of the pseudonym: “Do they write with pseudonyms or not?” So here it goes:

Website design By BotEap.comRobin hobb (his pseudonym) writes Epic Fantasy. She also writes like Megan Lindholm.

Website design By BotEap.comStephen King (his real name) write Horror. He also writes as Richard Bachman, Eleanor Druse, Steve King, and John Swithen.

Website design By BotEap.comJack Higgins (his pseudonym) writes Mystery. He also writes like Martin Fallon, James Graham, and Hugh Marlowe.

Website design By BotEap.comRebecca Brandewyne (his real name) write Historical Romance.

Website design By BotEap.comIssac asimov (his real name) wrote Science Fiction. He also wrote as Paul French and George E. Dale.

Website design By BotEap.comBarbara michaels (his pseudonym) writes Gothic and Supernatural Thrillers. He also writes as Elizabeth Peters.

Website design By BotEap.comAlistair maclean (his real name) writes Mystery. He also writes like Ian Stuart.

Website design By BotEap.comEboni Snoe (his pseudonym) writes African American Romance.

Website design By BotEap.comFor better or for worse, your pseudonym will follow you throughout your career as a novel writer. It will become your brand, characterizing your public personality and the types of books you write.

Website design By BotEap.comLike any decision, choosing a pseudonym has its pros and cons. It can offer you a layer of protection from the public and help you maintain a degree of privacy.

Website design By BotEap.comWhen deciding whether or not to write under a pseudonym, I encourage you to investigate the privacy rights to which public figures are entitled under the law.

Website design By BotEap.comThat way, you will begin your career as a novel writer with your eyes wide open.