A Question About Submitting With Your Pen Name

[zanizh]

Hiya, all. Just wondering what to do about this. When I submit a short story or a query, should I submit it with my real name or pen name? Or should I write it with Sincerely, My Real Name with my pen name underneath it? To clarify, the only difference between my real name and my pen name is that I changed my last name to sound more marketable.

[Cyia]

Sign it your pen name, and then if it gets to the point of needing a contract, tell them your real name.

[NicoleMD]

For short stories, they'll want both, and usually state so in their guidelines. Usually, the only place your pen name will appear is in the byline under the title. All other correspondence will use your real name (for contracts or checks or whatever).

When querying novels, you don't need to mention your pen name at all, unless maybe you've got some short stories published under it that you're using as credits. But still, use your legal name for every other aspect of the process.

Anyway, at least that's how I see it, which could be completely off.

Nicole

[ishtar'sgate]

Originally Posted by zanizh

Hiya, all. Just wondering what to do about this. When I submit a short story or a query, should I submit it with my real name or pen name? Or should I write it with Sincerely, My Real Name with my pen name underneath it? To clarify, the only difference between my real name and my pen name is that I changed my last name to sound more marketable.

In general it's best to use your real name. Once you start talking publication they'll ask you if you want it published under your name or a pen name.