Pen Names - the good, the bad, and the very ugly

[farfromfearless]

I was having a discussion with a friend of mine recently on the use and purpose of a pen name. His take on the issue is that Pen names these days tend to be a point of vanity on the part of the author, where as I argue anonymity as being the case. Take for instance Charles de Lint. He actually published a number of works under the alias Samuel M. Key (there is quite an amusing explanation behind this), and later used his real name. I'm unclear as to the exact reasons why but, again I suspect in this case it was anonymity.

It strikes me that many published or soon to be publish writers here might actually be publishing under an alias. I would love to know your reasons why - are there genuine advantages to a pen name? What happens when you tire of that pen name?

[Willowmound]

If you have made a name for yourself in one genre, it may not be a bad thing using a pen name if you want to try your hand at another. For one thing, you might suck. For another, you don't want to confuse your fans.

If JK Rowling ever wanted to write, oh I don't know, PORN, she might do well to call herself something else.

[Simon Woodhouse]

I'm going to publish under my own name. But if I ever write a romance, I'm going to add an e to the end of Simon. Apparently romantic fiction sells better if it appears to be written by a woman.

[IrishScribbler]

I will be using a pen name to dissociate from my father and his family (maiden name), as well as to protect the privacy of my husband's family (married name), who are quiet, reserved, and keep much to themselves.

[farfromfearless]

How does one even come up with an acceptable pen name, even one that is NOT in circulation by an established author. It would definitely be an interesting exercise and it makes me wonder what the heck I would end up with. I'm half Asian, half Spanish with an Irish sur name (and a Spanish middle name).

[Toothpaste]

I was debating publishing under another name, just for fun. But then I thought the whole acting thing might never work out for me and darn it I want my name out there somewhere! So it's all about the Adrienne Kress. Besides I like my name.

[Elektra]

Maybe mix up the names of your favourite authors, as long as they aren't too distinctive? I plan to use the surname Bell, as a tip of the hat to the Brontes.

[farfromfearless]

Clever :D I never thought of that; still the results would be interesting for me considering that most of my favorite authors are women: Kathrine Kerr, Lynn Flewelling, Sara Douglass, etc. And aside from one male author, Terry Brooks, most given or Sur names are too distinctive to warrant a combination.

[Elektra]

Lynn Brooks wouldn't be too bad

[Chumplet]

I'll be using my maiden name, which is Acadian (French-Canadian). My married name is Slovenian, and a little... abrupt.

My maiden name is also closer to the beginning of the alphabet if you're thinking about shelf placement. See? I'm using my noggin!

[Willowmound]

Lynn Brooks wouldn't be too bad

Or Douglas Kerr.

[Elektra]

You can also choose a pen name so that you're likely to be on the bookshelf next to a certain author, who writes books similar to yours (which could go either way--they might notice your book and pick it up, or just go straight to the more-famous author and leave.)

[farfromfearless]

ROFL! Lynn Brooks - that does beg the question though, do male authors ever publish under a female alias?

[Elektra]

ROFL! Lynn Brooks - that does beg the question though, do male authors ever publish under a female alias?

Ah--my most sincere apologies for the oversight. :Ssh:


Aaah! I've just discovered all the smileys AW has to offer, and now feel the need to include at least one in every post. If necessary, the post will be modified to fit the smiley.

[Tallymark]

You can also choose a pen name so that you're likely to be on the bookshelf next to a certain author, who writes books similar to yours (which could go either way--they might notice your book and pick it up, or just go straight to the more-famous author and leave.)

That's true--I've seen this done. For example, there's an author who wrote a version of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice from Darcy's perspective. So, she picked the pen name Janet Aylmer, which is not only reminiscent of the name Jane Austen, but pretty much sits next to it on the shelf--so that when people go looking at Jane Austen, they'll see her related book.

That's of course an extreme case, but I'm sure there's other authors who try to place themselves next to people who write similar things. They probably have other reasons for using pen name as well, but if you've decided to do a pen name, might as well use one that doubles as a marketing tool.

Me, I plan to do most of my books under my own name, except any romance novels. The reason is that I plan to write some children's fantasy, and I don't want a kid who likes my book to look up my name in search of more stuff, and find my vampire smut. XD And I wouldn't want their parents finding it, either. It's a case where success in one genre could adversely affect success in the other. In most cases, I would say doesn't matter if you write multiple genres, you'll just collect many different readers, but it'd be hard to maintain a clean-cut kid-friendly reputation at the same time as maintaining a wildly sensous reputation. :D

[Willowmound]

I've always suspected that New Zealand fantasy author Hugh Cook's name is a pseudonym. Simply because, if you squint (and you do, if you're in New Zealand), his name looks like a description of his anatomy.

[PeeDee]

I have two pen names, which are there for those rare occasions and which I haven't had to use yet. I adore them both. One is Robert Goldberg, and one is Damien Night. I don't think I'll use the second one, but they both amuse me to no end.

Probably, I'm the only one.

[Inkwell]

I heard somewhere recently that if your name is easily misspelled, it is wise to use a pen name, or an alternate spelling of your actual name.

My married name is Danish and has extra vowels. But with all the support my Hubby's given me while I write, I'd hate to disappoint him by not wanting to use *his* name at pub-time.

It's been weighing on my mind a bit lately...

[PeeDee]

Joe Straczynski and me, Pete Tzinski, both think that you don't have to use a pen name just because people are inclined to misspell your name. That is what we think. The both of us. This contest is killing me. I'm getting gray hair.

[Willowmound]

My married name is Danish and has extra vowels. But with all the support my Hubby's given me while I write, I'd hate to disappoint him by not wanting to use *his* name at pub-time.

It's been weighing on my mind a bit lately...

If by 'extra vowels' you mean the combination 'AA', that can be expressed with a letter that looks like this: 'Å'. This letter is is usually represented with an 'A' where no Å is available (everywhere, in other words).

So if his and your surname is Saabye, for instance, calling yourself Sabye should be fine by him -- that is, if he knows his language ;)

[Inkwell]

If by 'extra vowels' you mean the combination 'AA', that can be expressed with a letter that looks like this: 'Å'. This letter is is usually represented with an 'A' where no Å is available (everywhere, in other words).

So if his and your surname is Saabye, for instance, calling yourself Sabye should be fine by him -- that is, if he knows his language ;)
Good point.

Married name is Norgaard, so it could be Norgard or Norguard.

I think they both look a bit like Nougat! :)

[farfromfearless]

I heard somewhere recently that if your name is easily misspelled, it is wise to use a pen name, or an alternate spelling of your actual name.

My married name is Danish and has extra vowels. But with all the support my Hubby's given me while I write, I'd hate to disappoint him by not wanting to use *his* name at pub-time.

It's been weighing on my mind a bit lately...

Immortalize him in such flowery prose with your acknowledgements. I think that goes a long way as opposed to a sur name, which I think according to the varried responses in this post really has less value except in terms of marketing strategy and general anonymity.

[Willowmound]

Good point.

Married name is Norgaard, so it could be Norgard or Norguard.

I think they both look a bit like Nougat! :)

Well, Norgard would be correct.

The name means 'northern farm', whether spelled Norgaard or Norgard.

Norguard, on the other hand, doesn't mean anything, and would, linguistically, be wrong.

Of course, Nougat would be funnier ;)

[Inkwell]

Joe Straczynski and me, Pete Tzinski, both think that you don't have to use a pen name just because people are inclined to misspell your name. That is what we think. The both of us. This contest is killing me. I'm getting gray hair.
Yikes, you've both got me beat!

Also, I think the logic behind having an easy to spell name is that it makes successful marketing of your website easier.

For example:

JaneSmith.com rolls off the tongue easier than CarmenNorgaard.com.

[Elektra]

I've got one of those first names that's very common, but can be spelled roughly a gazillion different ways. Yet another reason for the pen name.

[JasonChirevas]

Good point.

Married name is Norgaard, so it could be Norgard or Norguard.

I think they both look a bit like Nougat! :)

If my name was Norgaard, I'd use it. That spelling evokes strength.

-Jason

[PeeDee]

If my name was Norgaard, I'd use it. That spelled evokes strength.

-Jason

I agree completely. I would be more likely to remember CarmenNorgaard.com, for sheer coolness factor, than I would with JaneSmith.com. Anyway, if they really want to find your web-site, they'll find it, even without proper spelling. You think I'm ever able to get to Jonathan Carroll's web-site just by spelling his name properly? No. The first half dozen times, I had to Google the name of a book, then go to his site through that. Eventually, I just remembered.

[benbradley]

Take for instance Charles de Lint. He actually published a number of works under the alias Samuel M. Key (there is quite an amusing explanation behind this),

I've never seen the name "Samuel M. Key" before, but surely the M stands for Morse!

I've been thinking about this lately, and maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I've got a sort-of WIP (a few sentences of story summarization and a couple pages of text and dialog, a bare start on a novel-sized idea), and it involves international conflicts (sort of Tom Clancy style). I don't want to get more specific than that, but IF it gets written, gets published, and sells at all, I might worry that some group might not like me, and might threaten me, much like the author of "The Satanic Verses" was threatened for things said in that book. I think I'd prefer this thing be published under a pen name, though if they're really interested in getting me, using a pen name might only slow them down. Has there ever been anyone using a pen name for such a reason, fear of persecution because of something said in a novel?

One pen-name story I recall is "A Case Of Need," published under the pen name Jeffrey Hudson. I only vaguely recall this story so it may be wrong, but this was Michael Crichton's first novel, written and published while in medical school where he discovered that med students thought very badly of writers, so to avoid their harrassment or letting on that he was a writer, he avoided using his real name.

I recently read Dean Koontz' "Writing Bestselling Fiction" where he talked of using pen names because he was writing so much that he would be "competing with himself" if he published all his novels under his own name. IIRC the publishers didn't want more than one novel per year published under one author's name.

How does one even come up with an acceptable pen name, even one that is NOT in circulation by an established author.

It should be simple enough, go to the phone book, randomly pick a first name, randomly pick a last name (or pick one to be alphabetically near another author's name as someone else mentioned), then Google it and/or do other name searches for it. If it's found to be the name of someone known to the public or for some other reason unacceptable, try again.

ROFL! Lynn Brooks - that does beg the question though, do male authors ever publish under a female alias?

While researching this post I stumbled across the name Deanna Dwyer, pseudonym of Dean Koontz. I just noticed that the first four letters of Deanna are...

[maddythemad]

If I ever get published, I want to publish under Madeleine North, because a) I hate my last name (and no! I'm not telling you what it is!) and b) North is a nod to my middle name, Carolina (my grandpa comes from North Carolina.)

(When I was nine I wanted to publish under the name Africa Phoenix Autumn-Rose. Now THERE's a name you could remember.)

[Oliveman]

Joe Straczynski and me, Pete Tzinski, both think that you don't have to use a pen name just because people are inclined to misspell your name. That is what we think. The both of us. This contest is killing me. I'm getting gray hair.

Me, Tarin Brachman, Richard Formoth, Gerard Yid, and Dirk Korinsky, and the other young writers I know, send you our deep condolences on your aging, PeeDee.

;)

[greatfish]

Has there ever been anyone using a pen name for such a reason, fear of persecution because of something said in a novel?


Jonathan Swift published under pen names all the time, and I'm almost certain it was to avoid persecution.


I don't think anyone has mentioned this, but sometimes people use a pseudonym because their real name is already used by someone famous. The only examples I know of are musicians, but David Bowie's real name is David Jones (too similar to Monkees singer Davey Jones), and Duster Bennett's real first name is Tony.

[J. Weiland]

If I, once upon a future, get published I would have to think up a pen-name; Seeing that I'm Danish, my real name does not sound catchy, and most English-speaking people have a hard time pronouncing my first name in English.

I like J(something). Weiland, but I'm thinking of new pseudonyms all the time, and have a fun time while doing it.

[Stacia Kane]

I've got one of those first names that's very common, but can be spelled roughly a gazillion different ways. Yet another reason for the pen name.

Me, too, Elektra!

And if you change one vowel in my real last name, it becomes a vulgar word. (Think "Cantner". It isn't Cantner, but considering I write erotica I thought the similarity unfortunate.)

I do plan a new, different pen name for my non-erotic/romance work. Still thinking on that one...and this thread has given me a lot to consider!

[Willowmound]

I might write as Tom Swiftly.

Would anyone get it?

[Mark Lazer]

I use a penname for the simple reason mentioned by greatfish--too common a name. And I don't mean common that it sounds cheap or whatever, it's just... well, let me say it this way: once I googled my name and I wasn't on the first thirty pages or so and there were lots of different people on them pages that was all different people!

[Mark Lazer]

I might write as Tom Swiftly.

Would anyone get it?
I don't get it, though it sounds like a 1950s NYC criminal to me.

[Willowmound]

I don't get it, though it sounds like a 1950s NYC criminal to me.

That's too bad. Or maybe not. It's not that funny really. You can look it up here (http://www.critters.org/turkeycity.html), if curious. It's right at the top of the list.

[James D. Macdonald]

Not to anyone in particular, but "begs the question" doesn't mean that some statement invites a question. "Begging the question" is a form of circular argument, where the conclusion consists of the premise.

For example: God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is the word of God.

[Bubastes]

I'm thinking of using a pen name because my name is obviously ethnic and I don't want to be pigeonholed as an "ethnic" writer, at least for certain genres (like romance). Am I being silly?

[BruceJ]

I'm half Asian, half Spanish with an Irish sur name (and a Spanish middle name).

I like you already! :)

[BruceJ]

You can also choose a pen name so that you're likely to be on the bookshelf next to a certain author, who writes books similar to yours (which could go either way--they might notice your book and pick it up, or just go straight to the more-famous author and leave.)

Good point. This happened to me by accident. I ended up on the Barnes and Noble rack next to James Joyce. The negative side is that we're both on the bottom shelf... :Shrug:

[Sean D. Schaffer]

Snipped...

It strikes me that many published or soon to be publish writers here might actually be publishing under an alias. I would love to know your reasons why - are there genuine advantages to a pen name? What happens when you tire of that pen name?


In my case, it was not only for the sake of anonymity, but also for the sake of separating my writing in Fantasy from my writing in Erotica. I decided a couple months ago that my username here will be my Fantasy sub-genre pen name, while I will have another pen name for my Erotica works.

The basic thought process behind this is two-fold with me. One, I don't want people who might condemn Erotic works to automatically condemn my Fantasy works because "Ian D. Mecantie" would be associated with both genres. And two, I don't want someone to pick up a book from one genre, expecting a book of the other genre. In other words, I do not want someone to pick up a book by Ian D. Mecantie, thinking it is Fantasy, and realizing only as they're reading it, that it would be, in fact, Erotica. I think the repercussions of such confusion could be devastating to my own career.

[Shadow_Ferret]

I've been thinking of a pen name for several reasons. One, everyone mispronounces my last name and I get tired of correcting people. Two, I'd rather not have people in my congregation know I wrote the book I wrote. :) Third, I really don't care if anyone who used to know me growing up knows if I wrote a book or not.

[Meerkat]

If you all can excuse this new tangent...when you copyright a work and the submission includes your pen name, is the pen name then under copyright protection from use by others?

[Melissa_Marr]

I don't think of it as pen-name. Marr is my birthname. I added my spouse's surname to mine b/c of our children (so I could be rightfully called Ms. Same Name as Child). I wore the name Marr for the majority of my life; it's what's on my degrees. It's a reflection of my ancestry. Using it seems right to me.

Of course, there are added benefits I considered. My kids & spouse won't have to have their surname splashed on a book jacket. They aren't displeased at all by my job, but Daughter isn't sure having her friends know that her mom wrote That Book is something she's sure she's cool with yet. By my using my birthname instead of my second surname (her birthname), she has the choice to admit what I do or not.

[C.bronco]

Jonathan Swift published under pen names all the time, and I'm almost certain it was to avoid persecution.

Yes. My favorite was when he wrote An Immodest Proposal by John Not-so-Swift.

[C.bronco]

I heard somewhere recently that if your name is easily misspelled, it is wise to use a pen name, or an alternate spelling of your actual name.

My married name is Danish and has extra vowels. But with all the support my Hubby's given me while I write, I'd hate to disappoint him by not wanting to use *his* name at pub-time.

It's been weighing on my mind a bit lately...

There are no extra vowels in life, only extra syllables. Dear, dear, be proud of your vowels. Did William Shakespeare change his name to Bill Shakes? Did Charles Bukowski change his name to Chuck Buck? Did Louis L'Amore change his name to Lou More? Okay, I may not have spelled his name correctly, but I know, deep in my heart, I could find him among the L's in Barnes and Noble. And, last, I do not know one single person who knows the proper pronunciation for Theodore Roethke, but I can quote the guy and buy his stuff!

Without extra vowels, the world would be a dry, bitter place. Embrace your vowels! Love them! Honor them! Yet, for all my passion, I regret that I have but two vowels in my last name, and they are both o's.

The moral of this sermon is this: Don't edit yourself to please others.

[Jaws]

If you all can excuse this new tangent...when you copyright a work and the submission includes your pen name, is the pen name then under copyright protection from use by others?
No. At most, it is under trademark protection; the Copyright Office explicitly refuses to deal with similarity of claimant names. And even then, it takes some knowledgable preparation.

A story from the past might help (or at least amuse). Once upon a time, an Englishman with a pretty unusual name prepared to publish his first book, and found that an American with the same forename and surname had already published several books. The Englishman wrote to the American, suggesting that — since the Englishman was a well-known public figure — the American should consider changing his writing name, probably by adding a middle initial. The American wrote back that since he (the American) was a well-known author, the Englishman should select a distinct name for writing. After several consultations with his lawyers, the Englishman eventually surrendered — for the only time in his life. If one looks at a certain former prime minister's history of World War II, one will see it credited to "Winston S. Churchill." However, if one looks at the copyright records, one will find records for "Winston Churchill" with two different birthdates, and a record for "Winston S. Churchill" matching only one of them.

[IrishScribbler]

My pen name uses my middle name (which is my preferred name) and the town in Ireland where my great-grandfather grew up before coming to the States.

Nicole Roscrea

[Meerkat]

Jaws, thanks for clearing this up for me, and good story!

[Arkie]

Some thoughts I've picked up about using pen names:

1. Use a name like best selling authors that puts you on the shelf with them like "Brown." Brown will put you up there somewhere around Dale and Dan Brown.

2. Female authors use male pen names to write westerns and male authors use female pen names to write romance.

3. Choose a pen name that places you on the shelf at eye level in the store. Most stores I'm familiar with file alphabetically by genre or sometimes in the general fiction category. A pen name starting with letters A through C puts you on the top shelf and is out of reach of the average shopper without a step ladder. Names beginning W through Z puts you on the bottom shelf and causes difficulty for some older browsers.

[IrishScribbler]

Female authors use male pen names to write westerns and male authors use female pen names to write romance.

And if they don't stop, they'll always have to, says I.

[farfromfearless]

It's amazing to see people's thoughts behind selecting their name - to be quite honest, I was considering publishing under my real name for the sole fact that anyone who saw me would not recognize me as a "Christopher Murphy".

Case and point: my first interview of my career at the Vancouver Sun - I was sitting in the reception area waiting for my scheduled appointment with the art director at the time. I was the only one there, so picture me, this little Asian guy sitting in this great big room - a man walks out and looks around, spots me but offers (quite common by now) a quick second glance. He is quite clearly, Japanese. He turns to the receptionist and asks, "Where's Chris Murphy?". I stand up, walk over, and offer my hand in greeting. "Hello," I say, "My name is Chris Murphy". I'm sure you can imagine his embarrassment. The funny part is that his name is Roger.

[kwwriter]

I use a different name for each genre I write in. Two have the same last name - Warwick - because it's my maiden name and it's easy to read/write/spell. My married name is a slav nightmare that will remain tucked away for that reason.

[Rashenbo]

Heheheh, great topics of discussion. If I ever manage to get an agent and if I ever get published, I was going to go ahead and publish under a pen name. Primarly to get that little bit of "protection".... there are scary people out there and I am not sure who I want just "googling" my real name. My name with my married name is unique enough that google search for it and you've found me. I dont' want any crazies showing up on my doorstep, calling or sending mail... and I'm not talking about fans (though I hope I'd get some)... I'm talking about crazy people who just look for an easy target... if they find your name on a piece of mail they'll target you.

So.... for fun... what are some creative pen names I can think of...

My genre is action/adventure or the "thriller" :)

E.L. Jinks
Joretta Rogers
Jet Rhude
Rashenbo *wink*
Phalen Mercer - lol... I just like that name "Phalen"
Lee Jenkins
Mabel Parker
Darter McKay
I.P. Frelie (haha)

Um... my creativity is leaving me... I'm just not "IN" my creative zone right now...

[PeeDee]

1. Use a name like best selling authors that puts you on the shelf with them like "Brown." Brown will put you up there somewhere around Dale and Dan Brown.

Unless you're willing to write under a different pen name every time someone ascends the bestseller list, I wouldn't do this. And honestly, I'm not sure I'd want my book next to, say, Stephen King, who at this point in his career probably has much more draw than I do.

[Desertsnowman]

I would love to know your reasons why - are there genuine advantages to a pen name? What happens when you tire of that pen name?

Well for me, my real name is shared with a local celebrity so I would be using a pen name for that reason.

The name I would use will probably be an anagram of my real name.

[CrankItTo11]

I've only published under my given name so far... but I'm debating using initials for publishing a novel. (Um... that is, if this one gets published.) The reason? My name is too girly, and the novel isn't girly.

I know that isn't exactly a "pen name" but... (I should have thought of a way to finish that sentence. Or better yet, use the delete key. DAMN - my fingers run faster than my mind sometimes.)

[farfromfearless]

So I guess it's true then, men really do publish under feminine pen names in order to publish in certain genres - crazy.

[TsukiRyoko]

My pen name really helps me get into a more proper writing persona. When I see associate a different name to my writing, it helps to bring me out of myself and into my story.

[J.S Greer]

My screen name is a pen name of sorts. I added the S for a reason, and I think that JS Greer sounds good. I hate my last name though:tongue

[kwwriter]

I have to admit, when I read WR, I see women authors...Brock Hudson writing romance????I doubt I'd pick it up -- just my op. On the other hand, Veronica Lars...sure, why not. I'd LOOK at it at least.

(note: faux names disclaimer )

[C.bronco]

Well for me, my real name is shared with a local celebrity so I would be using a pen name for that reason.

The name I would use will probably be an anagram of my real name.

That's awesome. Let me guess: is it Frosty? Do you know him? I bet he's cool.

[Susan Gable]

So I guess it's true then, men really do publish under feminine pen names in order to publish in certain genres - crazy.

Not crazy. Good business sense in some cases -- like, say, you sell to a big romance publisher, but they REALLY want you writing under a female pen name.

If the author's primary goal is not only to sell the book to the publisher, but to the readers, and the marketing department has data that says romance readers are more likely to buy books written by a female -- or at least an androgeniously-named author -- then it makes good business sense to take the pen name.

A friend of mine, Ken Casper, has written for Harlequin's Superromance line for a good number of years. They've published him as K.N. Casper. However, he recently sold to the new Nascar series of romances from Harlequin, and that program thought perhaps his male name would NOT be a problem, but perhaps an asset. (Wait. I could be confused. It could be that the new Everlasting program first wanted his male name because they're trying to tap into the Nicholas Sparks market, hence the male name would be an asset. In either case, Ken will now be writing as Ken Casper, and hopefully will be forevermore.)

The first words out of my editor's mouth after, "I want to buy your book" were "Will you take a pen name?"

My last name is Guadagno. Try saying it. Try spelling it if you hear it pronounced. I wanted people to be able to ask for my book by my name if so inclined, not have them stumbling all over my name.

When searching for a pen name, one important thing to consider (besides ease of spelling, pronunciation, etc.) is domain name. When I came up with Susan Gable I made sure the dot com listing was available to me. :)

It's hard to try to pick a name based on shelf space, because all book stores have different layouts. Some have shelves that only come to head height. Some have shelves that climb all the way up to the ceiling. Some have both. As to the theory of getting shelved next to a big name -- how many of you have pulled a book off the shelf that you stumbled into because you were looking at a big name book next to it? I don't think I have. Random browsing, yes. Looking at specific big names, no.

Susan G.

[farfromfearless]

When searching for a pen name, one important thing to consider (besides ease of spelling, pronunciation, etc.) is domain name. When I came up with Susan Gable I made sure the dot com listing was available to me. :)


That's a really good point - I work for a web-marketing firm and when we have to do campaigns for games or any sort of online initiative, the first thing we try to do is nail the domain as it is one of the most difficult excercises in branding. You can have a great name, a seeminly unique name but if some cyber-squatter in thailand is sitting on it, and asking for 40K for its release, it becomes not only costly to aquire, but a waste of time and resources if you've gone ahead and produced materials with the name already on it. Believe me, I've run into situations where my clients were asked to fork over ridiculous sums just for domain name. Celebrity names are a good example of this - Bruce Springsteen lost a battle in this case.

[Anne Stevens]

I use a pseudonym for reasons of anonymity. Also, if I fail, I can claim I never wrote it :tongue:
I use a combination of my middle name, and a variation on the spelling of my husband's. Also, he writes poetry under a pseudonym using the same variation on his middle name, so hence we are still married, even in the literary world, lol.

[victoria.goddard]

--One pen-name story I recall is "A Case Of Need," published under the pen name Jeffrey Hudson. I only vaguely recall this story so it may be wrong, but this was Michael Crichton's first novel, written and published while in medical school where he discovered that med students thought very badly of writers, so to avoid their harrassment or letting on that he was a writer, he avoided using his real name.--


I'm not sure if I quoted the above properly--sorry! I was wondering if anyone else has had this sort of reason for using a pen name--not so much simply to maintain a distance between whatever other job one has and the writing, which makes sense to me, but also the fact that certain genres are less, er, respected than others in certain areas. Particularly fantasy, which is what I write, and particularly in academia, which is where I shall probably be looking for a job. I am currently unpublished (and also still studying), but, all going well on both fronts, I hope to be published about the same time as I'm going to be looking for a job.
I've been wondering whether using my real name will be a problem. Particularly as it is fantasy and because my area of study is medieval literature. I don't have any other reason to use a pseudonym, myself, that I can think of.

It annoys me because some very well known medievalists are also very good and well-known fantasy writers, but they all seem to have been established in their academic fields before turning to fiction under their own names. (Tolkien and CS Lewis come to mind first, of course.)

Has anyone else thought about this? This thread has been very interesting and I would love to hear what you think.

Victoria

[Chumplet]

My married name is Danish and has extra vowels. But with all the support my Hubby's given me while I write, I'd hate to disappoint him by not wanting to use *his* name at pub-time.

It's been weighing on my mind a bit lately...

My husband actually encouraged me to use my maiden name. He says his name sounds like a sneeze.

[kristin724]

I'm using a simple easy to remember pen name for my erotica and otherwise scary or irregular writing. It is fun to set up another storefront, and if it doesn't work, there's less hassle then having your real name smit forever!

[peevy]

My last name is really weird and quirky. Coincidentally, so is my writing.

Unfortunately, my first name is quite plain and normal, and doesn't sound so spectacular with my last name.

So my pen name will have a fake first name but my real last name.

At least, that's my plan. You never know how an editor is going to feel about stuff like that.

Anyone have any experience with an editor vetoing their pen name? Anyone hear of this happening with someone else?

[PattiTheWicked]

I think it's fun to come up with pen names for different genres. I told my husband that some day I'll write Regency erotica under the name Mynx Pemberley.

As it is, my last name starts with a W, so me and all the other Wickeds are at the end of the alphabetical shelving system.

[UrsusMinor]

I don't want to get more specific than that, but IF it gets written, gets published, and sells at all, I might worry that some group might not like me, and might threaten me, much like the author of "The Satanic Verses" was threatened for things said in that book.

Unlikely to slow them down very much at all. Pen names only tend to remain good shields if everyone involved (agent, all your friends, the publisher, etc.) all agree on the need for secrecy from day one. This means you need to be a well-known or well-connected figure before you sell the book--like 'Anonymous' (Joe Klein) when he penned "Primary Colors." And even then a style analyst managed to unmask him through statistics and close reading.

Check out "Author Unknown" by Don Foster, the style analyst in question; it's a great read:

http://www.amazon.com/Author-Literary-Detective-Don-Foster/dp/0805068120/sr=11-1/qid=1166845595/ref=sr_11_1/105-6616862-3404450

It has the additional benefit of making you VERY conscious of your own little writing quirks!

[UrsusMinor]

Not to anyone in particular, but "begs the question" doesn't mean that some statement invites a question. "Begging the question" is a form of circular argument, where the conclusion consists of the premise.

For example: God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is the word of God.

Thank you thank you thank you! It drives me crazy the way people have begun misusing this term, and it's spreading like mad.

Can you also get people to stop using "The exception that proves the rule" to mean "Well, all rules have an exception"?

For those who think it means the latter, it actually uses the word "prove" in the sense of "test."

Someone saying, "That's the exception that proves the rule," is effectively admitting that the rule is quite likely incorrect. In other words, Here's an exception, and your rule is now being severely challenged.

[UrsusMinor]

Two, I'd rather not have people in my congregation know I wrote the book I wrote.

"But why not, Pastor Haggard?"

"Come sit on my lap, Bobby, and Uncle Ted will explain..."


(Sorry, Shadow. It was just too tempting...)

[Willowmound]

Can you also get people to stop using "The exception that proves the rule" to mean "Well, all rules have an exception"?

For those who think it means the latter, it actually uses the word "prove" in the sense of "test."

Someone saying, "That's the exception that proves the rule," is effectively admitting that the rule is quite likely incorrect. In other words, Here's an exception, and your rule is now being severely challenged.

Learn something new every day. Thanks. Yet another thing I can now get riled about.

[JanW]

Re being protected, here in Australia a couple years ago a woman wrote a steaming book and signed it Anonymous. It was published with much fanfare, but I heard at a workshop recently when the question about anonymity behind pen names was asked, said the writing community knew immediately who the author was despite the pen name. How did they know? Because the style was identifiable. Ended up that the author's identity was exposed and plastered all over by the media.

[scarletpeaches]

I read the book and thought it was crap. I assumed she wrote as 'anonymous' out of embarrassment.

[jamiehall]

I've got a list of my own reasons, along with some general reasons that could apply to anyone's pen name, at my pen name page (http://www.jamiehall.org/pename.htm).

[jodiodi]

I'll use a pen-name simply because I'm terribly shy and don't like having any attention focused on me. My husband and I have already picked outnames (just like naming a baby) in case a miracle occurs and I wind up getting published.

I guess privacy is my reason.

[Michael Dracon]

I use a pen name (which is the name I use to post here) because my real last name is difficult to pronounce in English and I'm sure I need to spell it everytime I say it. I already need to do that in my native country, and I'm getting tired of that already. My real first name is Michael though. I didn't change that because I find it difficult to respond to a different first name.

Also, if I use my real last name I would most certainly end up being in the group of 5 people all the way at the bottom of the shelves if a shop puts books up in alphabetical order.

I thought of turning my second name into a last name, which actually works out in English. That would result in Michael Richard as a pen name. But I think it's too plain. I'll probably put that aside in case I ever end up writing non-fantasy/sci-fi fiction. For the moment I'm sticking to Michael Dracon because it sounds better and it comes up much easier in a search query :D

[Elektra]

Just don't be surprised if people think you're draconian

[ebenstone]

I decided on a pen name a long time ago. I'm a high school English teacher and I value my privacy. Not to mention my wife valuing her privacy. Plus I'm writing in two genres....actually one genre but two different "age" groups: kids/YA/teens & adult epic fantasy. I figure I need two different names.

That being said, if my contemporary fiction ever gets published I think I would use my real name for that.

[farfromfearless]

I decided on a pen name a long time ago. I'm a high school English teacher and I value my privacy. Not to mention my wife valuing her privacy. Plus I'm writing in two genres....actually one genre but two different "age" groups: kids/YA/teens & adult epic fantasy. I figure I need two different names.

That being said, if my contemporary fiction ever gets published I think I would use my real name for that.

Its interesting to see the different responses on here regarding the legitimacy and reasoning behind pen names. In any case, I think that for myself, I would likely use a couple different pen names if I decided to publish under different genres. It essentially boils down to privacy - as much I would like to be acknowldged as a writer, it would be quite unbearable to be in any kind of spotlight *shudders, recalling his grade 3 musical*.

[RedandGold]

I've been an elected politician, and I am currently writing erotica.

I think a direct connection between the two would be . .unfortunate. Hence I will be writing under a pseudonym.

Also if you stop by Paperback Writer: http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2004/08/backlist.html You will see a number of pseudonyms. Partley becuase of different genres and partly at editorial insistence as "ordering to the net" has killed off one name's career. (I am sure she has written on the subject but I am too lazy to try and locate where)

[heatheringemar]

My married name is Danish and has extra vowels. But with all the support my Hubby's given me while I write, I'd hate to disappoint him by not wanting to use *his* name at pub-time.

It's been weighing on my mind a bit lately...


Have you discussed it together? You might be able to come to a mutual decision on the matter.

[aruna]

Writers choose pen names mainly for business reasons, as outlined in all the posts above.
Same with me.
My real name is Westmaas. My publishers asked me to take on a pen name because Westmaas - yes, you guessed it,. Begins with W.
I was willing to do so becasue I knew that most people usually the spelling wrong. They spell it either with one s or with two ss's. The two aa's are important to me! Shows my Dutch heritage.

The publishers and I decided on Maas - short, easy and yet slightly foreign looking, because of those two aa's.

Now, I regret it. The name Maas means nothing to me. I recently "met" a distant Dutch reative who has been doing family research and I found it so fascinating; I wish I'd kept that name.

In the meantime, I've seen books with W author names at eye level, and books with M names on the bottom shelf.

When I get published again I'd like to go back to Westmaas in some form. I've thought of Sharon West Maas or Sharon West-Maas, just to keep the connection to my other books. But I guess this would be discussed with the publisher in question.

When and if I get to writing my Indian books I will go by the name of Aruna Dasi. Means something to me.

[Michael Dracon]

Just don't be surprised if people think you're draconian

I'm actually surprised to see how few people actually think of that. I think in all those years I may even still be able to count them all on one hand.

It comes from a character in a pen-and-paper RPG called 'The Dracon'. It is implied that he might actually be Draco. So with a small detour it does indeed link to draconian.

[Akuma]

Have a Penname with the last name 'King'.
That way, you know they'll have to put you by the stuff that sells.

[Nicole_Gestalt]

I use pen names but that is only because I write in such vastly different genres and I don't want people just to buy a book because of the name and find themselves totally offended or disturbed by it (depending on the genre and of course their own tastes).

I don't really have a huge connection with my actual name, so it might be that a little way down the line i'll change my name to one of my pen names ... although then it will be my name and not a pen name which could get complicated :D

[Inkdaub]

I've been an elected politician, and I am currently writing erotica.

I think a direct connection between the two would be . .unfortunate. Hence I will be writing under a pseudonym.



Isn't there a current Congressman who writes erotica? Or maybe it was war stories that have some heavy sexual content? Something like that.

[jodiodi]

Isn't there a current Congressman who writes erotica? Or maybe it was war stories that have some heavy sexual content? Something like that.

Yes, it's the latter. The sexual content isn't as heavy as the media makes it out to be. I've read some of it and it's fairly tame in my opinion. Then again, I paid my way through college (well, earned respectable spending money) writing for certain publications that will never go on my resume using my roommate's name. He and I split the profits.

[Ardellis]

There was also the case of the Texas Agriculture Commissioner who ran for Comptroller last year: Susan Combs. She had written a romance novel some years before, and her opponent labelled it porn and made a huge campaign issue out of it.

It didn't help him in the end.

[jpserra]

I was a police officer who did undercover gigs. I needed to keep my family safe, just in case I made it big. I also wrote for several shooting magazines. It was just a necessity for me, though my real name kind of sucks for print.

John

[Shara]

The book I'm writing now is a crime novel. But the one I wrote before that, which I am still trying to sell, is a horror novel.

I figure I will have to publish in one genre under a pseudonym, as it seems to be very difficult for a writer to cross genres in the UK.

So, I have already picked out the pseudonym. But as for which genre I publish in with my real name and which genre I use my pseudonym for, probably depends on which manuscript gets picked up first (she says optimistically...)

Shara

[jodiodi]

I, so far, have 3 different genres in which I'm writing and 3 different pseudonyms. I will likely never use my 'real' name for anything. I'm just terribly shy and hate to have any attention whatsoever.

[blackpen]

i'm going to use my initials because i don't want my parents or future colleagues to know that i write sex scenes. also, the feminist message behind my story would have more credibility if people thought a man wrote it. can you imagine how people would react if dan brown had been a woman? or what my father would say if he read page #?

[glutton]

My middle name is actually Man (doesn't actually mean "man", it's Chinese), and my last name begins with a W. Maybe my pen name could be Billy Man, or better yet William Man. :) It would sort of fit with what I write, even if my protagonists are usually female...

[JerseyGirl1962]

I thought of turning my second name into a last name, which actually works out in English. That would result in Michael Richard as a pen name. But I think it's too plain. I'll probably put that aside in case I ever end up writing non-fantasy/sci-fi fiction. For the moment I'm sticking to Michael Dracon because it sounds better and it comes up much easier in a search query :D

And you'd probably be confused with Michael Richards of Seinfeld fame.

Michael Dracon sounds way too cool not to use. :)

~Nancy

[Inkdaub]

I don't know. On the one hand I want my name on the cover. I want any and all doubters...anyone I don't like really...to see it and know I did it. Then again I also think pen names are cool and would like to have one.

As extremely anti-social/social-phobic as I am the later will most likely win out.

[jodiodi]

As extremely anti-social/social-phobic as I am the later will most likely win out.

Glad to know I'm not the only one. :hooray:

[Vandal]

My first and last names are both very common. There is already at least one author with my name listed on Amazon and other book sites, even if I add my middle initial. I'll probably go with my first and middle initials (RM) and last name just to be different.

I am looking forward to having this problem!

[Jack_Roberts]

I'm going to use a pen name. 'Jack Roberts' is the name of a super hero I created for a message board. I'm using that name because if I'm lucky enough to get published, and lucky enough to have a hit, I don't want my kids bugged at school because their dad writes the Night Children series.

[Anthony Ravenscroft]

Too many proposed pen-names I encounter only make it clear the writer's never gone & done any research as to someone else who's using a very similar name, possible an established writer from a previous decade.

[amber_grosjean]

I began writing when I was only a child. At that time, my name was Amber Rigby. I am married now but I told my husband I was going to use that name because that was who I was and will always be as a writer. He totally understood until I signed my contract with my first publisher. He asked if I would use my married name at least for my first book. I thought it over for a while and decided that Amber Rigby Grosjean would work because Rigby was still there and I could drop Grosjean later on if I wanted to. He was cool with the name choice and other people seem to like it. Now I do have another name I plan on using for a book that is totally different from all the others I am writing. It is a nonfiction book and there are some people who I really don't want to know I wrote so the name Thomas W. Hopper came to be. There is a story behind the name which is why it fits me so well. Sometimes writers need to use a seperate name to protect something in their life or series of books they wrote. Sometimes they are tired of the name and want to write something different and changing the name just made it easier for them. Every writer has a different story behind the name he or she uses. Look at Stephen King for instance. He wrote under a different name for some of his books. Of course, his fans spotted it right away so he came out and told people that this other name was in fact him. I think it was clever and creative!

[Sassenach]

. also, the feminist message behind my story would have more credibility if people thought a man wrote it. can you imagine how people would react if dan brown had been a woman? or what my father would say if he read page #?

Are you saying that a feminist message from a man is more valuable than one from a woman?

I also don't think the author's gender had much effect on "Da Vinci Code" sales.

[amber_grosjean]

There are a few books where being a man or a woman makes a difference. In fact, I am working on one where I am writing it under a man's name but that is only to protect my real name and the books I am writing under my real name. My other books wouldn't have been any different if a man wrote it or it was simply me. The same goes for other books as well. Look who wrote the Harry Potter series. A woman wrote them. It don't think it made a bit of difference that it was a woman (at least to me anyway). I love the story line.

[farfromfearless]

I understand that some publishing houses pay new author rates for previously published authors when or if they publish new work under a different, unknown pseudonym -- is this a misconception?

[Solatium]

From the most recent Weird Tales guidelines, which I picked up just today:
. . . there's little excuse for hiding your gender by using initials instead of your first and middle names.
I had no idea people still did that! Now I feel self-conscious because I use my initials, even though my reasoning is sound: my given names (Sara Lynne) both have other spellings. (Just the other day I got an acknowledgement for an e-submitted short story addressing me as "Sarah." The funny thing is, the address block from my original message, which included my correct name, was still attached. I don't have a good feeling about this publication.)

[Inkdaub]

Why does Weird Tales care if you use initials or what your gender is? What's the context of that comment? I wouldn't sweat the misspelled name. I don't know, maybe it's just that my very easy to spell name is always misspelled and my spirit has been broken.

[Solatium]

It's not as sinister as it sounds. Here's the context:
Two suggestions: Avoid cutesy pen names; your own real name, especially an unusual one, is far better. And there's little excuse for hiding your gender by using initials instead of your first and middle names. But if a well-known writer has the same name as yours, you should change yours in some way, such as spelling out your middle name instead of an initial, or the like.
BTW, the original version (http://www.internet-resources.com/stash/weirdtales-1.html) of these guidelines is a classic; the revision (http://www.darkfantasy.org/weirdtales/WeirdTalesGuidelines.pdf) (warning: PDF) is more up-to-date, but seems to have lost something in coherence and wit.

[jules]

Joe Straczynski and me, Pete Tzinski, both think that you don't have to use a pen name just because people are inclined to misspell your name. That is what we think. The both of us. This contest is killing me. I'm getting gray hair.


Yeah, but it helps when you're well enough known that you can go by just your initials.

[Manat]

I use a pen name because I have a professional day job that I might have to return to if the money doesn't start coming in soon. In my regular job ( I used to work in a maximim security prison) you don't want your clients knowing, or thinking they know, anything about you outside of the institution. I prefer to keep the two professions seperate.

[Robyn]

I thought long and hard on this when I first decided to get my work published. I didn't want to create a name persay but at the same time I wanted to use something else other than what I use daily. Then it dawned on me how much my father had influenced my life and always told me to strive for my dreams. He would have loved to see my works get published and I am sure he knows it is being done even though he is no longer in the world. So I chose to publish under my given name and use my maiden name instead of married name.
I've gotten many people who love the combination because it is unusual.
So thus all my work is published under Robyn Wren. If i chose to do a genre down the line that is so different from what I currently write I'll re-address using something else at that time.

[batgirl]

I've been thinking of using my initials, not to hide my gender but because my name is the same as a moderately well-known superhero's secret identity. Also the same as another Canadian writer (though of non-fiction).
-Barbara

[Deadbeat 007]

I would most likely omit my first name and go J. K. Rowling style. I've always been interested in keeping a pen name more masculine and ambiguous. I prefer to know as little about the author as possible, but that may just be me.

[Hillgate]

I've been thinking of using my initials, not to hide my gender but because my name is the same as a moderately well-known superhero's secret identity. Also the same as another Canadian writer (though of non-fiction).
-Barbara

Or add your whole middle name if it has a good ring to it: it's amazing when you google how many people have the same name as you. And some of them you definitely don't want to be confused with! I would pick something unique, and not give a stuff if it's difficult to spell. That's fine...it's an added level of mystery...;)

[Enzo]

My real name is rather bland, rather Germanic, and still prone to be misunderstood a lot because there are many different possible spellings.
So I went for a simple Italian pen name which is easily pronounced, and easily transferred into Chinese - helpful for someone who lives in Asia. And yes, Enzo is the first name in my pen name.

[Cassiopeia]

I have a pen name and I intend on using it. I prefer to remain anonymous for the most part.

[MikeAngel]

I have a pen name and I intend on using it. I prefer to remain anonymous for the most part.

Even after you graduate? >wink<

[MikeAngel]

I thought long and hard on this when I first decided to get my work published. I didn't want to create a name persay but at the same time I wanted to use something else other than what I use daily. Then it dawned on me how much my father had influenced my life and always told me to strive for my dreams. He would have loved to see my works get published and I am sure he knows it is being done even though he is no longer in the world. So I chose to publish under my given name and use my maiden name instead of married name.
I've gotten many people who love the combination because it is unusual.
So thus all my work is published under Robyn Wren. If i chose to do a genre down the line that is so different from what I currently write I'll re-address using something else at that time.

Nice thought about your father, but Robyn Wren? I don't know...it would either denote bird books or flighty romances to me as a reader. I mean, should I be browsing a bookstore and come across such a name, or anything equivalent, like say:

Duck Goose
Robin Crow
Hawkeye Sparrow

You get the picture...

[Cassiopeia]

Even after you graduate? >wink<Depends on which graduation you are referring to? ;)

[BottomlessCup]

Two suggestions: Avoid cutesy pen names

What if your real name sounds like a cutesy pen name? Like a really obvious and corny pen name for a horror writer?

'Cause mine does. People have told me it's the worst pen name they've ever heard. It's on my damn birth certificate.

[Robyn]

Nice thought about your father, but Robyn Wren? I don't know...it would either denote bird books or flighty romances to me as a reader. I mean, should I be browsing a bookstore and come across such a name, or anything equivalent, like say:

Duck Goose
Robin Crow
Hawkeye Sparrow

You get the picture...


Well my main series does have ravens in it..so.. the birds fit well. I'm already getting published and I plan to keep the name. Each to their own I suppose.

[batgirl]

Or add your whole middle name if it has a good ring to it: it's amazing when you google how many people have the same name as you. And some of them you definitely don't want to be confused with! I would pick something unique, and not give a stuff if it's difficult to spell. That's fine...it's an added level of mystery...;)
I have two middle names. My full name is Barbara Mary Louise Gordon. Oddly, many people find 'Gordon' difficult to spell.
So I'd have 3 initials, like H.R.F. Keating - hey, maybe I should write mysteries?
-Barbara

[scarletpeaches]

If you want to be rich and famous, have three names.

Barbara Taylor Bradford
Mary Jane Clark
Mary Higgins Clark
Jill Paton Walsh
Arthur Conan Doyle
Alison Penton Harper
Rosemary Hawley Jarman
Mary McGarry Morris
William Makepeace Thackeray
Will Liam Shakespeare

I rest my case.

[jamiehall]

What if your real name sounds like a cutesy pen name? Like a really obvious and corny pen name for a horror writer?

'Cause mine does. People have told me it's the worst pen name they've ever heard. It's on my damn birth certificate.

When your real name sounds fake, corny or obscene, that's a wonderful reason to use a pen name (that isn't).

[Rhea L]

Although I haven't been published yet, I've known all along that once I got serious about it, I'd be using a pen name. For a simple reason, really - my name is Polish and difficult to remember, even if it might be more recognizable eventually because of it being 'different'.

If I wanted to write in my own language for the markets here (Poland, that is), I'd keep my real name. Since that's not the case, I'm resolving to a pen name that doesn't go over non-Polish speakers' heads. :D

[Pagey's_Girl]

I think I'd just use my full name. I've come to love it for the same reason I used to hate it - it sounds like it's straight out of Dogpatch, Arkansas.

Which, not so coincidently, is where most of my family is from - Arkansas. :)

[J.S Greer]

I like the name Mike Honcho. It says so much.

[joannadandy]

I'm torn.

I've thought of a pen-name but mostly for anonymity from my family if I wrote a book loosely based on my whacky childhood. But on the other hand - it's me, my babies, I want my name on them.

Honestly, never thought of half the reasons y'all came up with for using a pen-name. Guess I have to give it more consideration.

Perhaps the first place to start would be moving toward anything that resembles a final draft...lol...

[TauCeti]

Until I've made a few sales, I'll be using a pen name. It's shorter, easier to remember and closer to the front of the alphabet.

[Sieglinde]

I need one too... I picked Mallory for last name and I'd need a good gender-neutral or male first name. Or should it be just initials? I want to put on a juicy, violent Mexican Revolution story in an online store.

[Gilky]

I think that sometimes using a pen name is necessary for the author. She might want to be taken seriously if she goes from Chick Lit to the Great Literary novel. Some people won't give a writer a chance if they know she wrote in a genre they look down on. So as long as the pen name isn't something nonsensical or rude...I think it's a good idea.

[angeliz2k]

My last name is pronounced wrong about 99% of the time. It's German and spelled a little funny. I've thought of just using my middle name, which is Sutton--a perfectly good last name in and of itself. A professor at school was calling roll and said, "Elizabeth Sutton" instead of Elizabeth Last Name. It got my brain turning: hey, that has a nice ring to it.

The downside is that I will ALWAYS think of my mom saying, "Elizabeth Sutton! What do you think you are doing?"

[Cliff Face]

Yeah, I'd be using my middle name as a last one too.

Not going to tell you what it is though. ;) Best leave something up to the imagination...

[Satsya]

Hmm. I disagree about picking an 'ordinary' pen name.

My ideal for a pen name would be more along the lines of 'Mark Twain'. Standard first name, but the last name has a bit of a memorable quirk to it.

[shaldna]

I, if I had occassion to use a pen name, would use Elizabeth Crichton or Malcom Grant.

[emilycross]

I have an issue, and it's probably a tad silly but anyhoo:

I've chosen Emily Cross as my penname for various reasons, I latched onto the name cause I loved it etc. I did know that there was an american athlete named Emily Cross, when i choose the name.

My problem is that if people (agents) google 'emily cross', the athlete shows up on first three pages (only when 'emily cross writer' is entered do i come up).

I've been thinking of changing my name to Emilie Cross (or something similar) to distinguish.

Do you think this matters, am i being silly? Or do you think it would be a good idea?

[Satsya]

My problem is that if people (agents) google 'emily cross', the athlete shows up on first three pages (only when 'emily cross writer' is entered do i come up).

I've been thinking of changing my name to Emilie Cross (or something similar) to distinguish.

Do you think this matters, am i being silly? Or do you think it would be a good idea?

Not silly, I believe.

I think it comes down to how attached you are to the name, and how much of a problem it would be to rename yourself at this point in time.

Is it worth the confusion and potential loss of some customers/editors/such, to either keep the name or choose a new one? Of course, keeping the old one wouldn't be a problem if you became more popular than the athlete, but then she would be the one with worries :D.

[emilycross]

Thanks Satsya,

Well it's an annoyance (practically speaking) because I've a blog, platform and run a writer's forum under the emily name (and a lot of writer's know me as this name).

However I'm not at the query stage yet, so I feel I've time to maybe recreate myself under : Amelie Cross (if need be?) or would adding an initial be enough. for example Emily M Cross?

I wish I had more sense a year/two ago when I was choosing my name!

[Treyfan]

I have a "traditional" black name. And having a really "ethnic" name in the United States (be it black, Muslim, Jewish, etc.) really really really really affects 1. how publishers view you and 2. how potential readers decide whether or not to pick up your book.

I go by a pen name.

Sad. But that's how it is.

[JackinElgin]

I use a pen name. Should my book actually do well (the odds being stacked against that, of course) I'd like to keep a degree of separation between my writing and professional careers (I don't have any illusions about making a million dollars and telling my bosses to sit and spin)

[Griesmeel]

An american friend of mine decided to call me Cheeseburger. It was far easier to pronounce for him but still, sort of, sounds like my surname. An immigration official in the US once allmost chocked on it.

I may just have to use a pen name to allow for the simple possibility of word-of-mouth.

Here's to hoping that someday there will be... :)