Anyone using a Pen Name/Pseudonym

JackinElgin · Dec 11, 2009

Was using a Pen Name something you had in your contract or were the publishers cool with it?

How did it effect your ability to market/promote/do publicity?

Maxinquaye · Dec 11, 2009

I'm not going to use one, so I can't really answer your question. I'm lucky enough to have a name that's a chameleon: it will fit with an english-speaking audience, a french speaking one, and sounds cool at home

But I think there was a blog post on Nathan Bransford's blog that you should try to use your real name if you could.

Stacia Kane · Dec 11, 2009

It is on my contracts, yeah, because the publishers put it there; my agent told them the name to use, so both names are on it. It doesn't effect my ability to promote in any negative way or have any kind of detrimental effect, really. I actually think it helps; it lets me slip into a persona, a bit. Not that I'm a different person, it just reminds me what's public and what's private, if that makes sense.

JackinElgin · Dec 11, 2009

Stacia Kane said:
It is on my contracts, yeah, because the publishers put it there; my agent told them the name to use, so both names are on it. It doesn't effect my ability to promote in any negative way or have any kind of detrimental effect, really. I actually think it helps; it lets me slip into a persona, a bit. Not that I'm a different person, it just reminds me what's public and what's private, if that makes sense.

Yes that makes perfect sense. I'm in the process of contracting with a publisher and I'm thinking of asking for this in my contract.

I want a degree of separation between my career (the one that pays my bills..) and my writing career (the one that keeps me sane)

entropic island · Dec 11, 2009

I've written a little freelance for a magazine under the psuedonym 'Zeke WM'. Later, I just explained it was me. I got it published when I was pretty young, so I wanted to be safe.

OpheliaRevived · Dec 11, 2009

I'm considering it... no experience.... but name reminds everyone of a Kindergarten teacher or frilly muppet.

Claudia Gray · Dec 11, 2009

I use a pseudonym. It's not in my contracts, but my publishers are well aware of my real name, are happy to work with the pseud, etc. If anything, it has helped me with publicity/marketing/etc., because I am able to have separate Facebook/Twitter/website/etc. information that is wholly centered on my fiction. That said, I have no independent platform, so I didn't have anything to lose in that area.

cwfgal · Dec 11, 2009

My first three novels were published under my real name. My most recent release and the next two (at least) to follow are under a pseudonym. Because the first three were paranormal suspense and the current ones are a mystery series, they are very different. The pseudonym is basically a marketing ploy to make the new series a "debut."

Since I developed a web site and did a fair amount of marketing under my own name for the first three books, the new name has been a bit of a challenge. It also means many of my previous fans won't know I have a new book out. The pseudonym is by choice -- we all agreed to it without it being in the contract, though I personally would have preferred to stick with my real name -- and the publisher has no problem with me revealing that she is me. It does feel a bit strange at book signings, though. I'm so used to signing my real name and the new one doesn't come as naturally.

Beth (aka Annelise Ryan)

Katrina S. Forest · Dec 12, 2009

I've published under my real name, but I've started to submit with a pen name. my real name is too long and confusing, I think, for people to remember.

Ken · Dec 12, 2009

... do for my freelancing. Not sure if I will for novels, if I ever get that opportunity. Guess I'll decide when the time comes, by the flip of a coin, perhaps. // Using a pseud would only effect one's ability to market themselves if they got fanatical about safeguarding their true identity: not going to book signings, etc. Probably wouldn't go over very big with publishers. So in truth, those who use pseuds are really using 'semi-pseuds.'

Bookewyrme · Dec 12, 2009

I've been toying seriously with the idea, for a similar reason as Jackinelgin. I want separation between my professional career, and my writing career. Especially since in my professional career I will most likely be writing/publishing nonfiction (ancient history), which doesn't always go so well with Fantasy. *shrug*

AlishaS · Dec 12, 2009

I asked this question a few months back and the response I for using a pen name was all good. My more main consern is what would my family think? I have since asked my family if they would be ok with my using a pen name and the answers were all over the map. Some thought I was spitting on my own name/last name and wasn't proud enough to use it. Other's thought it was a great idea to keep my work/personal lives seperate.

So in the end I think I have decided to go with a pen name.. now I just have to come up with something catchy!

LOG · Dec 12, 2009

I don't see why they would think that. The purpose of the pen-name is multiple. Part of it can be for anonymity, but anothe rpart could be to help with marketing. *shrugs*

Ardent Kat · Dec 12, 2009

I've got a separation between public and private using my real name both times. I plan to publish under my legal name, Katherine O'Kelly, but everyone who knows me in person would only call me "Kat". I go by "Katherine" at SF and writer conventions to practice the separation and works fine so far.

Rowan · Dec 12, 2009

JackinElgin said:
Yes that makes perfect sense. I'm in the process of contracting with a publisher and I'm thinking of asking for this in my contract.

I want a degree of separation between my career (the one that pays my bills..) and my writing career (the one that keeps me sane)

QFT! Sometimes a pen name is a necessity!

Caitlin Black · Dec 12, 2009

I plan on using a pen name for 2 reasons. One, my last name is hard to pronounce and not catchy. Two, I've done some pretty stupid things in my time, and with my very unusual name, enemies would know who I was and could easily knife me in the gut with stories of, "I remember when Cliff almost got arrested..." or whatever. Actually, that story I don't mind so much, but there are other factoids about my stupid past that I don't want getting leaked.

So I'll definitely want a pen name. I'd still do book signings. I doubt if my enemies would come to those, but I'd shy away from photography like a vampire. Although, I've started wearing glasses since my childish escapades, so maybe nobody would recognise me anyway. But the name is recognisable to people who know me, and I don't need that grief.

Of course, the official party line for wanting a pen name would be, "For privacy."

I was thinking of using Cliff Face for my comedies (hence my user name now, as when I signed up I'd only written comedies) but I'd use something else for my current WIP, which is a thriller.

I've already got a name worked out, but it might change before I get published, or the publisher might not like it or whatever. But it's easy to pronounce while still being reasonably memorable.

AryaT92 · Dec 12, 2009

Delete

Caitlin Black · Dec 12, 2009

Well, actually, they are crazy people, but I still don't like the idea of things coming back to haunt me...

katemcm · Dec 13, 2009

My first novel is coming out in February, and it's being published under a pen name. I chose to go this way for two reasons: 1) I have a very common last name, and Googling my real name pulls up dozens of people with the same name; and 2) the public/private divide others have mentioned. I was a little nervous about potential future employers and/or elderly relatives Googling me and discovering I write racy romance novels.

Libbie · Dec 13, 2009

I am choosing to use a pen name simply because people have a hard time spelling/pronouncing my real surname. I can see that causing problems when folks try to track down and buy my books. Don't want that to happen! Still using my real first name, though.

Anon76 · Dec 14, 2009

I've heard two other reasons for pen names.

The first, ala Nora Roberts, JD Robb is to identify two different genres so loyal fans of one or the other won't become confused and pick up something not to their taste.

The second is a rather ugly one and involves sagging sales figures. I know of authors who have been asked to switch names to revitalize their careers.

Red_Dahlia · Dec 14, 2009

I've been toying with the idea of using a pen name, too. I'd like to use my real name, but it's very uncommon (although relatively easy to pronounce), so I know that potential employers googling me would quickly realize that I was a fantasy writer....

For those of you who don't use pen names, have you found that employer's knowledge of your writing has negatively affected your job searches/employment opportunities?

Libbie · Dec 14, 2009

I can understand romance/erotica writers worrying about employers' opinions, since for some dumb reason there is a stigma against people who write and read these genres.

But fantasy? I can't imagine that would be a deal-breaker.

WalpurgisQuill · Dec 14, 2009

Why would you all not take credit for something you've written?

Anon76 · Dec 14, 2009

Libbie said:
I can understand romance/erotica writers worrying about employers' opinions, since for some dumb reason there is a stigma against people who write and read these genres. But fantasy? I can't imagine that would be a deal-breaker.

The erotica could be a bit troublesome when using your real name. If you have a job in the public eye, such as teacher, things could get dicey.

All the other authors of varied genres, including fantasy, still have problems when dealing with employers. Some may assume that your published experience now makes you rich, or for prospective employers, your real job is writing so you'll leave them at the drop of a hat.

Prejudice to be sure, but a way of life.

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