What's Your Take on Pen Names

AlishaS · Oct 24, 2009

So I really wish there was a way to search the forums more easily, so if there is please tell me as I am always so worried about asking questions that already have threads

I have never really liked my first and last name, and than I got married and now my name and married name is quite the mouthful. I have often considered using a pen name for my novels but fear that it might hurt my parents and my husbands feelings if I did.

So basically I am curious on what peoples takes on pen names are, if you use one, how you come up with yours, and what your families think about you not using your given/married names.

Thanks

HelloKiddo · Oct 24, 2009

Yep, you can search the site easily. Just look at the dark blue bar under all the info that informs you you're signed in. You'll see "Log out" under your info and if you look over a few words, you'll see "search." Click "Advanced search" to do a more careful search.

My feelings are that pen names are fine, but try to pick a simple one that's easy to remember and easy to spell and search (for people looking up your book online). Look at today's biggest sellers: Stephen King, Dan Brown, J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyer, Sandra Brown, James Patterson, etc..

Trauntj · Oct 24, 2009

I don't mind pen names if you like either a name that will stick with people/easy to remember. on the flip side, if your married name is unique, that might work in your favor as well. I like them as long as they sound okay, mainly because you can make them whatever you want however you'll be able to be somewhat anonymous.

Wayne K · Oct 24, 2009

My pen name is Bic Flair.

AlishaS · Oct 24, 2009

Love the name Bic Flair!

Ok so yes in Canada my last name is unique, in France it is more common and have no idea about the USA, it is often hard to pronounce and a little tricky to spell so for me that is another mark in the pro pen name column

Wayne K · Oct 24, 2009

Rhys Cordelle · Oct 24, 2009

I don't see why your family should take offence.

Rhys Cordelle is my pen name, or at least it will be. I would cringe to see my real name on the cover of a novel. It doesn't roll off the tongue as well.

Lady Ice · Oct 25, 2009

Pen names are fine, if they're not too dodgy. As for your family being offended...it's just a job. You play the role of 'Mary Deveaux' (or whatever your pen name is) when you write but at home you are Mary Smith (or whatever your real name is).

Capes&Corsets · Oct 25, 2009

I agree with Lady Ice!

I use a pen name (well, kind of.). I use the same surname, and half of my fist name. Amazing how many people have said 'why do you call yourself that?' without realising it's just four letters of my first name.

I use my en name for writing and for my blogging/work online. Simply because I like to keep it seperate from my 'real' life and regular job. I dn't think your family would offended if you gave good reason to use a pen name!

So many people do.

WittyandorIronic · Oct 25, 2009

AlishaS said:
I have often considered using a pen name for my novels but fear that it might hurt my parents and my husbands feelings if I did.

Hmmm... Apparently I am so insensitive that I don't even notice how insensitive I am. lol. It never occurred to me to discuss my naming options with my parents or my husband. My name would likely not be good for print so therefore I wouldn't use it, but ultimately that would be between whoever is (theoretically) publishing my book and me.

Bubastes · Oct 25, 2009

WittyandorIronic said:
Hmmm... Apparently I am so insensitive that I don't even notice how insensitive I am. lol. It never occurred to me to discuss my naming options with my parents or my husband.

Same here.

Lauretta · Oct 25, 2009

OT

Wayne K said:
My pen name is Bic Flair.

I actually went to amazon looking for you by this name!!!!

:Headbang:

Lauretta · Oct 25, 2009

As per pen name, I will have one, as I don't like my first and second name. I want something short and easy to remember. I don't think there's something wrong with that.

WittyandorIronic · Oct 25, 2009

HA. I am thrilled to find I am married to a man every bit as insensitive as I am.

Me: "So, if the planets were to align and I were to publish a book, I likely wouldn't use my own name."

Husband: "Why? For privacy?"

Me: "Partially. See, most first time novel sales don't make enough to be able to quit their day jobs, so I would rather not be at a professional conference and have people begging for autographs or talking about that great sex scene in chapter 15. Mostly though my last name is weird, and most best selling authors have a semi normal name. Plus, some people are convinced that shelf placement blah,blah,blah."

When I finally finished...

Husband: "Whatever."

Really... we are a match made in selfish insensitive heaven. lol.

ChaosTitan · Oct 25, 2009

Everyone has different reasons for using pen names, and generally they're for privacy or because their name is hard to spell/pronounce.

I don't have a day job that I need to protect from my writing life, and (most of) my family is proud as hell that I'm published. I didn't have a reason to use a pen name, and it's been my dream for ages to see my name on a novel's cover.

pink lily · Oct 25, 2009

I've used both my real name and a pen name in the past, when writing on political subjects, and I intend to use a pen name for writing erotica. My real name is google searchable, leading to my cell phone number, home address and google map of my yard, my kids' school, my grocery store... I really prefer the pen name.

Sevvy · Oct 25, 2009

My first name is weird and ten letters long, so I've just shortened it to the first initial, plus my last name. It's easier to read and makes me genderless.

EFCollins · Oct 25, 2009

I use a pen name... everything I've published or have contracted to publish (such as they are) is under this name. Not because I want anonymity or hate my name... but on Facebook alone there are 276 other women with my first and last name. There are other writers with not only my first and last name, but with any combination of my initials, which is my username. So, I used a nickname the horror hounds here on AW gave me. It works for me.

Libbie · Oct 25, 2009

I use pen names. My mom is "hurt" over it, but she is hurt over everything anybody says or does, so I don't take that too seriously. My married last name is a pain in the butt to spell and/or pronounce for most people, so that's why I've opted for a simpler last name for writing. I use Libbie as my first name in writing, but I also use it as my first name in "real life," so that's not a big change for me. It's legally my middle name, but I dislike my legal first name so I haven't used it for many, many years. One of these days I'll get around to actually making Libbie my legal first name. Then I'll need to pick an exciting new middle name. Hmmmm.

Anyway, if anybody gives you crap over choosing to use a pen name, tell them you decided to do it for privacy's sake, in case you ever get famous. They can't argue with that.

Kathleen42 · Oct 25, 2009

Libbie said:
I use pen names. My mom is "hurt" over it, but she is hurt over everything anybody says or does, so I don't take that too seriously. My married last name is a pain in the butt to spell and/or pronounce for most people, so that's why I've opted for a simpler last name for writing. I use Libbie as my first name in writing, but I also use it as my first name in "real life," so that's not a big change for me. It's legally my middle name, but I dislike my legal first name so I haven't used it for many, many years. One of these days I'll get around to actually making Libbie my legal first name. Then I'll need to pick an exciting new middle name. Hmmmm.

Anyway, if anybody gives you crap over choosing to use a pen name, tell them you decided to do it for privacy's sake, in case you ever get famous. They can't argue with that.

I was worried my father would be upset by me using a pen name. He seemed a little surprised when it came up but didn't make a big deal about it.

There are a few reasons I want to use one. One of them is that I work in an industry which is super paranoid about people doing freelance work.

BigWords · Oct 25, 2009

The only pen name that isn't a lie is your 'porn name' (the name of your first pet and the street you grew up in), which is kinda neat when I play the game - Twitchy Dundonald. I think I might even use it if I write something so obscene and life-endangering that using my real name would be inadvisable...

LuckyH · Oct 25, 2009

There are many reasons for using pen names, some more legitimate than others, but in the entertainment industry, including the publishing industry, the name is important because it has to make you easily recognisable to the public.

A Russian, Chinese or Arab name in an English market will be a hindrance, unless you’re a genius like Solzenhitzin (helps to prove my point, doesn’t it?).

EFCollins · Oct 25, 2009

BigWords said:
The only pen name that isn't a lie is your 'porn name'.

Jesus. My name would be "Baby Piedmont" if I did that. My gods...

Rhys Cordelle · Oct 25, 2009

i'd be Amy Astoria

Wayne K · Oct 25, 2009

laurafre said:
I actually went to amazon looking for you by this name!!!!

Should I have put one of these :ROFL:

What's Your Take on Pen Names

Is swimming with creativity frogs

bemused observer

Is swimming with creativity frogs

Makes useful distinctions

Exceptional ass-kickery...served.

bananaed

In the fantasy word.

In the fantasy word.

Around

I regret everything

Spec Fic Writer

World Class Rambler

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

crushing on fictional characters

Geekzilla

Oh, really?

World Class Rambler