Pen Names

Z0Marley · Nov 9, 2009

I'm looking into using a Pen Name. Seeing as I'm a very picky person, what steps would you/have you taken to create a pen name that does you justice? Is there anything to consider?

Many Thanks!

Rhys Cordelle · Nov 9, 2009

I pulled Rhys Cordelle out of thin air. I just like the way it sounds. In fact I'm tempted to legally change my name

Obviously you wouldn't want anything too long. I think no more than 4 syllables total would be best. Something reasonably unique and hopefully memorable.

entropic island · Nov 9, 2009

I could give you some formula, like take your great great great grandmother's roommate's first letter of their name and whatever, but really, it's your choice.

It really depends on your primary genre. If you're all over the board, it's even harder.

Khimera9 · Nov 9, 2009

I just took one of my favorite monsters and added a K in front of it instead of a C. Then I took my favorite name in the English Dictionary and brought it together to make "Dominic Khimera"

It should be a name no one'll ever forget.

OliviaMagdelene · Nov 9, 2009

I have several pen names, variable by genre. I chose them on the ease of use, what I am able to remember, favorite colors, variations of my real name, variations of other actors/writers/artists that I admire, religious preferences and availability of email addresses/blogs for them.

I regarded Olivia Goldsmith in high esteem and I am also a Gnostic Christian: Olivia Magdelene.

Bookewyrme · Nov 20, 2009

I've also wondered about using Pennames. Do pen names have to be two names? For that matter, do they have to look like names look like an actual Human name? For instance, would it be considered acceptable to write under the name Bookewyrme, or A. Bookewyrme (can't resist a pun. XD)?

BigWords · Nov 20, 2009

Bookewyrme said:
For instance, would it be considered acceptable to write under the name Bookewyrme, or A. Bookewyrme (can't resist a pun. XD)?

As long as the story is good and the writing is solid you can call yourself whatever you want. Just look at DBC Pierre - the letters stand for Dirty But Clean, the "Pierre" part is from a cartoon.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 20, 2009

When I was a teen I came up with Eldrich Donaldson. I thought it meant the elder son of Donald, but now I realize eldrich has a totally different and cooler meaning.

I haven't used it though.

spectrefox · Nov 21, 2009

Pen names are awesome

I'm flirting around with the idea of using pen names, mostly because sci-fi/fantasy and horror may not necessarily overlap (if we aren't counting the very small niches, such as horror sci-fi).

For Sci/Fantasy I plan on using my first two initials, then a last name, in the same style as T.A. Barron, because my name does not lend itself to the fabulous two-word name

.

For horror, I'm planning on using [first name] [mid. initial]. [last name], mostly because it will differentiate me, as well as be longer than the one I am using for other genres. Even though I hate my first name, blegh >.<!

The two names can be easily connected (if I happened to have fans who liked both), but it would not be obvious to someone who only reads exclusively in one genre to say "Hey, I've seen that name before..."

I really think it depends on what sounds great; does your name lend itself to something as cool as "Michael Crichton" or as unique as "Tamora Pierce"? If not, you might want to look into getting a pen name. If the coolness factor/individuality factor doesn't matter to you, then you might be best off using your real name

!

Hope this helps!

JulieHowe · Nov 21, 2009

My new pen name is Polly Esther.

Bookewyrme · Nov 21, 2009

I'm actually considering using a pen-name for career reasons. Specifically, my career (once i finish school) is going to be in academia, hopefully as a professor. Writing Fantasy (my genre) will be a sideline for me, and one I'm not sure that my superiors in the field would look too kindly on. Therefore....a pen-name. Not that I'll exactly hide that I'm writing, and trying to publish said writing, from my colleagues. But I don't want to go around advertising it, either.

But on the other hand...I would love to be published under my own name. :shrug:

Nya RAyne · Nov 22, 2009

I picked a name that just sounded cool to me, becaue my name-my last name and my first name-are nothing really special.

Rhoda Nightingale · Nov 22, 2009

I came up with "Rhoda Nightingale" to fanfic with several years ago, but I don't know whether I'll keep it as a pen name or not. I like using it online because I'm tetchy about throwing my real name out into the 'net, but I just might use it for my first couple of novels because my real name is aggravatingly similar to another author who writes in my same genre.

RadioactiveFox · Dec 3, 2009

I'm with the line of thought that I'd like to have a different name for every genre I want to publish in --- which is nearly all of them. I'm not ambitious at all, noooooo....

bonitakale · Dec 3, 2009

One way is to do a little genealogical research. You might come up with an ancestor whose name seems "right" to you.

By the way, there's no earthly reason you have to pick a pen name that you like. You might want one that's realistic-sounding, or unusual, or at the beginning of the alphabet. You're not looking for the name you wish your parents had given you, but one that will work as the author of your books. And if that's Mildred Anderson-Snyder, so be it.

kathleen_grant · Dec 3, 2009

Bookewyrme said:
I've also wondered about using Pennames. Do pen names have to be two names? For that matter, do they have to look like names look like an actual Human name? For instance, would it be considered acceptable to write under the name Bookewyrme, or A. Bookewyrme (can't resist a pun. XD)?

Well the guy who wrote/drew the Tin Tin books' pen name was Hervé... and his real name initials were R.V... pronounced Her-Vey in french.

And he was legit, so I'd say go for it! Play on words make you sound more interesting and memorable.

14times · Dec 7, 2009

I'd love to use a pen name, i've decided to use my own name with my agency for my first release, but perhaps I will use a pen name if I ever finish my long overdue epic!

I paln to use one of those baby name websites, where you click on " get girls first name" or something and they pick a random name for you.

cindystubbs · Dec 7, 2009

nom de plume

I was amused to see a guy on the soap opera Days of Our Lives take the pen name "Norman Plume" I think it means aynonomous in French.
Isn't it a tradition for women writers to use their maiden name?
I think pen names should sound like real names, the reader might think one's work silly if one has a humourous name maybe?
Books are something a reader wants to sink into, shouldn't the name be elegant and deep as well? Like the actress Sigourney Weaver's real name was Susan Weaver and claimed her climb to fame was helped by her name?

Annayna · Dec 7, 2009

mine is Soma Gardawski, the last name is my grandfathers he was a writer too the first name I came with from a song

CheekyWench · Dec 7, 2009

Mine is a different spelling of my middle name, and my last name... I just kept spelling my name differently until I found an unused domain name. lol

Annayna · Dec 7, 2009

CheekyWench said:
Mine is a different spelling of my middle name, and my last name... I just kept spelling my name differently until I found an unused domain name. lol

I like it

DeleyanLee · Dec 7, 2009

I picked something I'd answer to if someone called it out in a crowded hallway.

Annayna · Dec 7, 2009

lol I answer to Soma.. my best friend calls me it. Im actually thinking of changing my real name to that

CheekyWench · Dec 7, 2009

Annayna said:
I like it

thanks!

Bookewyrme · Dec 7, 2009

cindystubbs said:
I think pen names should sound like real names, the reader might think one's work silly if one has a humourous name maybe?
Books are something a reader wants to sink into, shouldn't the name be elegant and deep as well?

My works aren't exactly silly, but I don't think its particularly deep either. I mean, it has depth, but its mostly a fun adventure/coming of age story. And the name "A. Bookewyrme" would sort of work, because the narrator of the trilogy I'm working on is named Aurelia, and she's a Bookewyrme. And the way it works, its supposed to sound like you're reading her memoirs or something. I could make it a bit more "realistic" I suppose, by going with A. Booke, or A. Draconis, A. Drake.....Hrm. I can generate a lot of these! :e2writer:

I suppose a good agent would be able to advise you on this though, right? Its not like you're going to hide your true name from your agent, or your publisher for that matter! They have to know who to write the checks to, afterall.

Pen Names

.

Dancer of Life

Imagined half of it.

Geekzilla

Court Jester

Spent the night with Jack Daniels

Imagined half of it.

On the verge of greatness

Vampire Junkie

I'm too young to feel this old.

Carpe Diem

Vampire

O.o

Vampire

Writing Anarchist

Vampire

O.o

Imagined half of it.