Have you ever wondered why Charles Lutwidge Dodgson wrote as Lewis Carroll? Or why Theodor Seuss Geisel better known as Dr. Seuss had not one but two pseudonyms? Find the answers in the following infographic reblogged with the kind permission of
Jonkers Rare Books.
I've been playing the literary name game and came up with Bobby Anne Harding for a possible pen name. This combination of my nickname, middle name and mother’s maiden name has quite a ring to it don’t you think? If I wanted to disguise my gender, I could use the shorter and more masculine sounding Bob Harding.
What pen name would you / do you use?
Do you have copyright questions? Go straight to the horse’s mouth.
Copyright.gov has Resources to Answer Questions
The US Copyright office tries to make it easy for you to understand the sometimes-complicated issues of copyright in the US. Here are some of the circulars (free pdf downloads about a certain topic).
Questions about using lyrics from a song, can you use a song title, copyrighting comics, and on and on — go first to www.copyright.gov.
Today, we are going to learn a little about using pseudonyms in your writing and marketing.
What is a pseudonym?
A pseudonym is a fictitious name used by a person to hide an individual's real identity. Also called a "pen name", pseudonyms may be used if a writer's real name is likely to be confused with another writer or individual or is determined to be unsuitable. It is very common with actors as well as authors. Authors who write in fiction and non-fiction, or in different genres, may use pen names to avoid confusing their readers allowing them the creative freedom to explore different genres.
Using a pen name provides a degree of anonymity. which provides you freedom to write and speak freely "from the heart."
Why should you write under a pseudonym?
- you don't like your name
- you want something easier to remember
- you want to keep your anonymity
- you want to write in different genres and don't want to confuse readers
- you want to be mysterious
- you don't want people to know if you are writing about them
- you want to hide your gender
- you don't want your "day job" to find out
- you write for different publications across the publishing field
- you have the same name as a famous author or person
Some famous writer pseudonyms
- Samuel Clemens' writing under the pen name Mark Twain.
- Meg Cabot has written under the name Meggin Cabot, as well as the pseudonyms Patricia Cabot and Jenny Carroll.
- Lemony Snicket is the legal pen name of Daniel Handler.
- Jane Austin used the pseudonym "A Lady" as the author of her first novel Sense and Sensibility.
- Joanne Kathleen Rowling is known as JK Rowling
- Richard Bachman is the pen name of Stephen King.
Here's what Jill Myles, author of Gentlemen Prefer Succubi, says about why she uses a pseudonym for her writing.Why did you decide to write under a pseudonym? How did you come up with your name?There were a variety of reasons why I decided to write under a pseudonym, and I had to weigh the pros and cons. The major pro, in my mind, was the anonymity it offers. I'm not ashamed to write romance - the opposite, actually! - but in this day and age when your personal information can be found online by anyone that has your phone number, I'm very protective of my real identity. Plus, I work for an extremely conservative financial company in my day job, and having to explain/defend why I write 'dirty vampire romances' is not a conversation I wanted to have every day.
As for my name, I picked Jill Myles because it was short and punchy and relatively easy to remember. No mystery, I'm afraid. :)
What are the challenges o
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This is great. I've considered the possibility of using a pseudonym for a reason not above: my name is super common. Something to discuss with an agent though. Thanks for the great post. I've enjoyed the blog tour.
I'd probably pick a pseudonym because my name is extremely common and boring.
P.S.--went to borders today and Succubi Like It Hot was on the new mass market release shelf-thingy.A worker there insisted I read it until I told her I already did. Thought I'd let you know because its probably at the front of the borders near you!
Fun blog tour! Thanks for posting info, Shelli (if that's your REAL name :-)
Hmm... Something to think about. Thanks!
Thanks for this post. It was very informative.
Also, I have to do a fangirl shout out to Jill *waves* ;)
The idea of a pseudonym is interesting. I can see why people choose one.
Ha! I've had my pseudonym chosen since I was five years old. I'll probably never use it (except for using it as my password on everything . . . so I'll never tell!!).
sf
very interesting! Great post!
Jill has made some great points! A pseudonym can be a smart choice in many circumstances.
I think something can be said for writing under a pseudonym - or not. Each has its merits, just as each has its drawbacks. Great information, Jill!
Margay
I guess this is one time when I can be grateful for my relatively strange and memorable name.
I've heard/read that if you change from a small press market to a large market it's a good thing to change your name. You may have a great book sales number for a small press, but it is better to be an unknown with an unknown track record with a large publishing house. It's all in how you read the data.
thank you so much for the insight into why people choose pseudonyms. *nods*
I'm wondering though if pen names are too common? I know several new/intermediate writers with a different pen name for every social media. Some rules to play by would be nice, because if you really did want to use a pen name and you start branding yourself before you have an agent - is that too early. What if your agent/editor don't agree with you?
I don't think I would use a pseudonym for anonymity's sake, though it's not a bad idea when you think of identity theft. My real name is difficult to pronounce, which is why I go by Nisa on-line. I think if I ever get published, the same will apply. I don't want anyone to pass over the book because they can't pronounce my name! Plus Nisa is unique.
Great post.
The two main reasons I have a pen name are because no one ever pronounces my legal last name right, and just for a litte privacy.
Stealing the idea of initials from AM Jenkins, I used a (stupid) pseudonym that (rightfully) irritated an editor. At the end of our conversation, he asked "What should I call you?"
Embarrassing.
Is it best to use real name in query?
This is interesting stuff, Shelli. I knew nothing about this area - but now I do! Thanks. :-)
I'm glad to see that there really isn't a difference in the marketing aspect of things. Interesting things, pen names.
I've considered a pen name b/c my last name is always pronounced differently. However, I think in the end, my desire to be known would win out.
We are worried about a similar subject with our acting and modeling daughter. As she has quickly progressed in the entertainment industry her agent is pushing us to change her last name for her acting. I see the protection points because she's only nine, but the rest of our family doesn't quite understand it.
Really intriguing! Actually, this topic interested me so much that I wrote my own post about it a couple weeks ago. So far, I'm planning on using my maiden name as my author name, even after I get married.
And I love the name Jill Myles - great choice!
Great post, explaining "pen names." I've always wanted to use one just because I hate my name. Curse being born and raised in the South with a double first name!!
I chose a frightfully clever pseudonym, thinking it would separate my YA writing from a dull, academic stuff. It was C. Lee McKenzie. My first letter salutation with that name was, "Hi C!" I sounded like a fruit drink. Then everyone kept asking if they should call me C. or Lee. Last, it's taken me over two years to turn around when someone say, "Is that you, Lee?"
"No." Er. I mean, "Yes."