Actually using a pen name

Thomas_Anderson · Sep 10, 2009

I think I might cave in and use a pen name. I think it's the only way my paranoia will ever allow me to publish. But I have a question.

How do you actually use the pen name? Do you just make up any name you desire (as long as it isn't used to deliberately copy somebody else) and slap it on your cover letter? Or do you have to actually go through a legal process, get a liscense, and all that fun stuff?

ishtar'sgate · Sep 10, 2009

When you submit your manuscript use your real name. When you're accepted for publication you will be asked if you want to use your own name or a pen name. Make up whatever name you like. Payment is made in your real name but your pen name shows up on the publication itself.

Regan Leigh · Sep 10, 2009

I think this link is helpful...

Pen Name

Thomas_Anderson · Sep 10, 2009

Well, there's also the fact that my real life surname begins with a 'W'. So, if I published under my true name, I'd be hidden on the bottom shelves, not making money.

James81 · Sep 11, 2009

Thomas_Anderson said:
Well, there's also the fact that my real life surname begins with a 'W'. So, if I published under my true name, I'd be hidden on the bottom shelves, not making money.

Ha ha, that sucks. But think of it like this: Amazon doesn't have any shelves.

In the same vein of this thread, I've always wondered if you can use a pen name in and for a memoir? Or is that considered bad taste/illegal/whatever?

Claudia Gray · Sep 11, 2009

Submit under your real name. When you get an agent and she starts shopping it around, let her know that you'd prefer to publish under a pen name. She and/or the publisher may reject your first choice of pen name, so don't get too married to any given one. There's no legal process to go through; your book will be copyrighted to your real name, unless you form a business to hold the copyrights (like John Grisham).

BigWords · Sep 11, 2009

I kinda like the pen name that Stephen King mentioned in one of his books: Chaucey J. Boogerheart. If I ever had to use a pen name, that I call dibs on that one (or maybe Dick Large)...

Kathleen42 · Sep 11, 2009

ClaudiaGray said:
Submit under your real name. When you get an agent and she starts shopping it around, let her know that you'd prefer to publish under a pen name. She and/or the publisher may reject your first choice of pen name, so don't get too married to any given one. There's no legal process to go through; your book will be copyrighted to your real name, unless you form a business to hold the copyrights (like John Grisham).

That's one of the reasons I haven't picked on (though I've been thinking about it). If I'm lucky enough to get an agent, it's something I'd like them to have the option of being involved in.

willietheshakes · Sep 11, 2009

Thomas_Anderson said:
Well, there's also the fact that my real life surname begins with a 'W'. So, if I published under my true name, I'd be hidden on the bottom shelves, not making money.

Hey!

Alan Yee · Sep 11, 2009

Thomas_Anderson said:
Well, there's also the fact that my real life surname begins with a 'W'. So, if I published under my true name, I'd be hidden on the bottom shelves, not making money.

The good thing about my name is that it's short. The bad thing is that since my name starts with a Y, I'd be near the bottom of the very last shelf in the SF/F section.

Thomas_Anderson · Sep 11, 2009

My surname is one syllable, and it's really easy to remember too. Too bad it's at the end of the alphabet.

Also, while agents may or may not like the pen name I choose, I kinda wanted to pick one and start building up a portfolio with published short stories. I'm also guessing it's best to be consistent with the pseudonym.

ideagirl · Sep 11, 2009

Thomas_Anderson said:
My surname is one syllable, and it's really easy to remember too. Too bad it's at the end of the alphabet.

Why is that a concern at all? It's not like bookstore shelves are magically arranged such that the end-of-the-alphabet names are all on the bottom shelf of every section--go to the bookstore, you'll see that sections don't necessarily end on the bottom shelf. Sections sometimes START on the bottom shelf. Or in the middle. They start wherever they start. There's nothing you can do to control where your books appear on the shelf--a bookstore that only has three shelves' worth of sci-fi novels will put your sci-fi book on shelf three, while a bookstore with fourteen shelves of sci-fi will put you on shelf thirteen or fourteen... and that could be anywhere: top, bottom or middle.

In short, don't worry about it. The fact you have a short, easy-to-remember name is a big advantage. It's a lot easier for readers and potential readers to remember a name like "Steven King" than one like "Edwina Apfeldorf" or whatever.

Thomas_Anderson said:
Also, while agents may or may not like the pen name I choose, I kinda wanted to pick one and start building up a portfolio with published short stories. I'm also guessing it's best to be consistent with the pseudonym.

You're right, consistency matters. If you are going to use a pen name, pick one and start building it.

emilycross · Sep 12, 2009

Well emily cross is my penname, though reading the above comments i probably am too 'attached' to it (i'm unpub). I read somehwere that signing your name

'real name' (writing as 'pen name')

is another way - but i always thought it felt very presumptious/demanding for a cover letter to a perspective agent

Really good advice in these posts, thanks!

scarletpeaches · Sep 12, 2009

I'm not so sure an agent would reject a pen name - or maybe I've just never heard of it happening in this country.

After all, what would happen if you wanted to publish under your real name, no matter how ridiculous it sounded to them? They wouldn't be able to stop you. So why stop you using any particular pen name?

Of all the authors I know who use pen names, I've never heard of one being told to choose another.

Palmfrond · Sep 12, 2009

My publisher rejected my real name. I suggested at least fifty pen names before I got one accepted. Just like your cover art, the author's name is purely marketing, and none of your concern.

Thomas_Anderson · Sep 12, 2009

But what if you already have somewhat of a following under your real name/Alias X.

scarletpeaches · Sep 12, 2009

Palmfrond said:
My publisher rejected my real name. I suggested at least fifty pen names before I got one accepted. Just like your cover art, the author's name is purely marketing, and none of your concern.

Maybe in your case, but I know authors who had a say in their cover art and their choice of pen name was never questioned. Not every publisher is so rigid.

Ken · Sep 12, 2009

Palmfrond said:
My publisher rejected my real name. I suggested at least fifty pen names before I got one accepted. Just like your cover art, the author's name is purely marketing, and none of your concern.

... I'm sorry, but I'd draw the line with real names and offer a 'like it or lump it' policy. I mean really, it's your given name. Some things just aren't up for compromise. What next? A demand from a publisher that you dress a certain way and adopt a certain accent. Seriously. Never heard of anything so ridiculous and really hope this isn't an industry-wide policy.

emilycross · Sep 12, 2009

Thomas_Anderson said:
But what if you already have somewhat of a following under your real name/Alias X.

I'd be interested in this, if anyone has any advice. I'm hoping to (eventually) submit shorts to some mags and i was wondering should i submit them under my pen name to build up a platform or use my real name (which isn't a very marketable name IMO)

AngelicaRJackson · Sep 12, 2009

I submit all my work using a pen name, and even introduce myself that way at writing groups, conferences, etc. My legal name is pretty common and there were already writers in my genres with that name, so my pen name is similar enough that I answer to it reflexively---but distinct enough for others to remember. It's not foolproof, I had one editor that alternated between my legal and pen names for bylines on articles.

As to how to show it, my cover letters and queries always feature my legal name and that signature. On the manuscript's title page or first page, it will say

Title
by
(legal name)
writing as
(pen name)

Karen Junker · Sep 12, 2009

Maybe you'll be such a good writer you'll get your own display in the front of the store. Then you don't have to worry about where you are on the shelf. I think it may take a few bestselling books to get the publisher to fork over the dough for the good placement, but...you can do it, right?

Actually using a pen name

Thomas_Anderson

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Regan Leigh

Insomniac Writer

Thomas_Anderson

James81

Great Scott Member

Claudia Gray

BigWords

Geekzilla

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

willietheshakes

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

Alan Yee

Still Here!

Thomas_Anderson

ideagirl

emilycross

is away with the fairies

scarletpeaches

Palmfrond

cereal killer

Thomas_Anderson

scarletpeaches

Ken

emilycross

is away with the fairies

AngelicaRJackson

Angelic Muse

Karen Junker

Live a little. Write a lot.