Real name or pseudonym with submission?

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

Hey folks,

So, I am planning to submit a story this week, my first fiction submission :e2faint:

Question: is it OK to submit it under my pseudonym, or should I use my real name and wait for acceptance? I'd rather have people in the fiction world use my pseudonym even if they think about me and or/talk with me.

Thanks!
Rose

KTC · Nov 11, 2007

Submit under your real name. If accepted, ask them to publish under your pseudonym. Or explain what your pseudonym is in the cover letter.

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

Thanks for the advice, KTC! I am reluctant to mention the pseudonym in the cover letter... it seems a bit too much coming from a newbie with no publications.

But I have two emails, one associated with my real name and the other with my pen name - should I include the pen-name email with my submission?

Drat, this is complicated...

KTC · Nov 11, 2007

Just one email address is fine. If you are uncomfortable including your pseudo with your cover letter, just don't do it. It will be fine to contact them once you are accepted and just kindly ask if they can publish it under your pseudo. Good luck with the submission!

veinglory · Nov 11, 2007

The story is attributed to the pseudinym. The cover letter comes from the real name. There is nothing presumptuous about having a pseudonym IMHO.

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

veinglory said:
The story is attributed to the pseudinym. The cover letter comes from the real name. There is nothing presumptuous about having a pseudonym IMHO.

So Veinglory, you think I should include the pseudonym in the cover letter, and mark the MS with the pseudonym?

How can I phrase this so it won't sound weird?

Many thanks,
Rose

veinglory · Nov 11, 2007

I generally use a phrase like 'Mable Smith, writing as Emily Veinglory'.

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

Veinglory, but in the body of your MS and in the header, do you put Mable Smith or Emily Veinglory?

Sorry for the stupid questions,
Rose

veinglory · Nov 11, 2007

In the header and under the title I put just Emily Veinglory. But then my name on the query or cover so they know who to make the checks out to

Gray Rose · Nov 11, 2007

veinglory said:
In the header and under the title I put just Emily Veinglory. But then my name on the query or cover so they know who to make the checks out to

OK, this seems very reasonable. I'll go this route

The first page will have my real name+address, but my pseudonym under the title. Hopefully they'll forgive me

johnnysannie · Nov 12, 2007

I would definitely mention that you want to publish under a pseudoymn in the cover letter; on the MS, I would do it something like this:

Your real name Rights/word count
addy
town
phone number, e-mail,
whatever

Title of story
by The Name You Want To Publish Under

Tymolee · Nov 12, 2007

johnnysannie said:
Your real name Rights/word count
addy
town
phone number, e-mail,
whatever

Title of story
by The Name You Want To Publish Under

I just wanted to add this is the format I use for all my manuscripts. Most editors know what you're doing when you place the "by Jane Doe" under the title of your work if your name in the upper left is Amy Smith. If i sell it, i just make sure that I clarify that.

johnnysannie · Nov 12, 2007

Tymolee said:
I just wanted to add this is the format I use for all my manuscripts. Most editors know what you're doing when you place the "by Jane Doe" under the title of your work if your name in the upper left is Amy Smith. If i sell it, i just make sure that I clarify that.

Yep, that's standard manuscript format and I don't know any editors who would not understand what you want.

Gray Rose · Nov 13, 2007

Thanks to all who helped - I have adopted this format!

johnnysannie said:
I would definitely mention that you want to publish under a pseudoymn in the cover letter; on the MS, I would do it something like this:

Your real name Rights/word count
addy
town
phone number, e-mail,
whatever

Title of story
by The Name You Want To Publish Under

Real name or pseudonym with submission?

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

johnnysannie

Tymolee

johnnysannie

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!