When to say "I want to use a pen name"?

Brigid Barry · Feb 26, 2012

I have decided to use a pen name if I ever publish, mostly because I don't want my real name affiliated with my writing if someone decides to Google my real name. (This is thinking of future job searches, my kids or my work). As far as people meeting me in real life, I think that would be okay. Does that make sense?

When submitting to agents I know I am not supposed to use anything other than my real name. At what point in the process do I tell an agent my desire for a pen name?

eqb · Feb 26, 2012

When you query an agent (or submit to a publisher), use your real name in the letter, but in your manuscript, use your pen name for the byline.

Aggy B. · Feb 26, 2012

KateM said:
I have decided to use a pen name if I ever publish, mostly because I don't want my real name affiliated with my writing if someone decides to Google my real name. (This is thinking of future job searches, my kids or my work). As far as people meeting me in real life, I think that would be okay. Does that make sense?

When submitting to agents I know I am not supposed to use anything other than my real name. At what point in the process do I tell an agent my desire for a pen name?

Well, when I submit erotica the name on the MS is my pen name. With my legal name and contact info in the top left corner of the first page. The cover letter (these are shorts, not novels) just mentions that I write under "thusandsuch name".

I've always understood that it's fine to tell an agent/publisher/market you write under a pen name. It's just not a good idea to portray that name/persona as your legal info.

Maybe it's different with novels?

ETA: Crossposted with EQB.

Jolly-Boo · Feb 26, 2012

Uhm, at any time? There are a lot of questions that come up that give me the impression that asking the agent anything is offensive or something. As soon as you're signed, or he wishes to sign you, whatever, just say,

"Hey, I wish to use this as a pen name? Is cool, bad? Something else?"

I don't see why they should say 'no', except offering a better suggestion. Just don't submit the manuscript or query letter with your pen name. The agent is sort of supposed to serve you after all, not the other way round.

Maryn · Feb 26, 2012

I do exactly what Aggy does. I correspond with agents or editors using my real name, because that's who I am. (No! Really?) My manuscript has my real name, address, email, phone in the upper left corner. Centered is the title, the word by, and my pen name. The slugline on the top of each manuscript page is a one-word abbreviation for my title, my pen name's surname, my real surname in parentheses, and the page number, a la FINN, Twain (Clemens), 26.

I have never had to tell an agent or editor I wanted to use a pen name. By submitting in this format, it's obvious.

Maryn, whose real name is lost to the ages

scarletpeaches · Feb 26, 2012

I mention in the query email (in which I make my real name clear) something like, "...my novel, Horny McHorndog and the Weapons of Mass Distraction, written under my pen name of Scarlett Parrish."

When it comes to it that I query an agent, I'll do so completely under my own name, while mentioning that I've had so many works published under a pseudonym.

Cyia · Feb 26, 2012

[query letter]
sincerely,
Cyia
(penname for Legal Name)

MrsBrommers · Feb 26, 2012

My query read "Real Name (Next line) Writing as Pen Name." My agent does the same thing when subbing my work. So long as you include your real name somewhere, it shouldn't be an issue.

J.W. Alden · Feb 26, 2012

Maryn said:
I do exactly what Aggy does. I correspond with agents or editors using my real name, because that's who I am. (No! Really?) My manuscript has my real name, address, email, phone in the upper left corner. Centered is the title, the word by, and my pen name. The slugline on the top of each manuscript page is a one-word abbreviation for my title, my pen name's surname, my real surname in parentheses, and the page number, a la FINN, Twain (Clemens), 26.

I have never had to tell an agent or editor I wanted to use a pen name. By submitting in this format, it's obvious.

Maryn, whose real name is lost to the ages

I do this, plus I sign cover letters/queries like this:

Really McNameo,
writing as J.W. Alden
[Contact Info]

VoireyLinger · Feb 26, 2012

I query as REAL NAME writing as Voirey Linger. There is no confusion as to who I am legally and what name is to appear on the book cover.

ETA: Also, including my pen name in the query gives the agent an opportunity to look me up online. He or she can validate any credentials I may have listed and get a better idea of where my career is by googling me. If you have laid promotional and career groundwork in the form of a website or blog, you want that to be readily accessible.

Brigid Barry · Feb 26, 2012

VoireyLinger said:
I query as REAL NAME writing as Voirey Linger. There is no confusion as to who I am legally and what name is to appear on the book cover.

ETA: Also, including my pen name in the query gives the agent an opportunity to look me up online. He or she can validate any credentials I may have listed and get a better idea of where my career is by googling me. If you have laid promotional and career groundwork in the form of a website or blog, you want that to be readily accessible.

Would I still use this even if I've never been published before?

dangerousbill · Feb 26, 2012

KateM said:
At what point in the process do I tell an agent my desire for a pen name?

It's just not that big a deal. Agents and publishers understand the desire or need for pen names, and they know what to do.

Put your pen name where you'd put an author's name, under the title. In your contact information and in communication with publishers and agents, use your real name.

Where confusion is possible, write 'John Smith, writing as Peter Johnson'.

eqb · Feb 26, 2012

KateM said:
Would I still use this even if I've never been published before?

Yes.

To repeat.

Use your real name in your query letter. Use your pen name in your byline.

And while I understand completely why you are fretting over inconsequentials, try to stop for your own peace of mind. Write the novel or story. Send it off. Worry about pen names later.

Brigid Barry · Feb 26, 2012

eqb said:
Yes.

To repeat.

Use your real name in your query letter. Use your pen name in your byline.

And while I understand completely why you are fretting over inconsequentials, try to stop for your own peace of mind. Write the novel or story. Send it off. Worry about pen names later.

Not worried, just curious.

Thanks everyone!

VoireyLinger · Feb 26, 2012

KateM said:
Would I still use this even if I've never been published before?

I used it from the beginning. I had a website in place and made sure I had my pen name online before I sent anything.

If you haven't made any move toward establishing your online persona, then I don't think it matters. Agents will want to talk business and discuss your goals and what they can do for you before contracts are signed. You can discuss pen names and have your questions answered at that time.

Jamesaritchie · Feb 26, 2012

With books, there's no point at all in even mentioning a pen name until after you sell the book. Until that point, it won't and can't be used, and no one cares in the least. After that point, it's just a matter of letting the publisher know the name you want to use on the book.

Unless you have previous sales under a pseudonym, mentioning it in a query letter just wastes valuable space.

With short stories and articles, you just put whatever pseudonym you want to use under the title. That's all there is to it.

Ferret · Feb 26, 2012

I told my agent that I was interested in using a pen name right before I went on sub. It wasn't a big deal.

areteus · Feb 26, 2012

I mentioned it in the cover letter for a short and also included my pen name's e-mail address (which I had already established). I got the response to the submission to the pen name address...

So, yes, publishers and agents are happy with the concept and will take your wishes into consideration. Just make sure it is clear which name is which (by putting the pen name on the byline...)

The Lonely One · Feb 26, 2012

I always just used the byline and a quick note in a cover letter "if selected for publication, I would request that this piece be printed under the pseudonym..." Then again that's in a short fiction cover letter for a journal. Not sure about novel-length.

JSSchley · Feb 26, 2012

As Cyia pointed out, using a pen name to query doesn't spell doom. (Or if it does, hot damn do I want Cyia's brand of doom!)

In the name of having a web presence before query, I tweet, blog, and use goodreads under my pen. If an agent has encountered me on the web at all, it's as my pen. And I have a separate email address for my pen. So I query as my pen with little jot in the sig line.

When I actually send a full or a partial, there's a cover page with all the standard niceities, and above the address and phone number, it lists my real name, and my penname is listed as the byline.

I'm fairly certain an agent can figure it out okay.

kobold · Mar 20, 2012

So, Cyia and JSSchley, to be clear, there is no breach of etiquette (or is it netiquette) by querying under my pen name only? I'm not out to deceive anyone by using the pseudonym -- my real name just sounds a bit clumsy to me.

Also, the last agent who responded to my q. addressed me by my real name. It was a very cordial rejection, but if I queried with my pseud., how did they know my name??!

thanks!

--k.

veinglory · Mar 20, 2012

You query under your real name, and mention your pen name. They need both.

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