Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Today I received yet another email from a client posing the question: Should I use a pen name?
Why you should
Sometimes compelling reasons exist for writing books under a name other than the one your mother bequeathed you. 
Here are situations in which it might make sense:
- You’ve had a string of low-selling releases. Bookstore owners have long memories about which authors’ books sold well and which didn’t. When you think about it, you’ll realize why: They have to pack up the boxes to return your books that didn’t sell. Nothing like pulling books off the shelf to set in your mind that So-and-So is an author you won’t be carrying in your store again. To get past this impediment, a new name might just do the trick.
- You want to write outside of your established brand. When you’ve become known as a writer of, say, mysteries, but you’re dying to write business books…well, you can see there’s no crossover with those two audiences. Rather than have your mystery-loving fans run out to buy your latest book only to find it’s about great ways to brainstorm new business practices, a pen name is called for.
- Publishers tell your agent that you’re an unfocused author without a brand because you find the spice in life is writing in very different genres. The solution might well be to write using more than one name.
- You are prolific. Not just a teeny bit prolific but wildly prolific. e.g. Nora Roberts. Why be held back because your publisher doesn’t want to release two books per month under your name? Use two names!
Why pen names don’t always work
Pen names are not magic wands. They don’t solve all problems. As in every solution, downsides need to be considered.
- Using a pen name won’t make you a better writer. If the reason the bookstore owner packed up your last several projects and shipped them back to the publisher was that your books weren’t compelling to buyers, a new name won’t amend the situation. Examine the multiple reasons your sales may have been lackluster. Take an honest look at the Amazon reviews. Talk to your critique partners. Talk to your agent.
- Assuming a new identity is complex. With a pen name comes the responsibility to create a social media presence for your new persona: website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, email address, newsletter to that fan base…everything. Readers who like what you’re creating with your pseudonym will look for you online by that name. You must be there for them. And you can’t pull some switcheroo like taking them to your old website and explaining on the home page you write under two names. Nope. You’re creating a new brand when you use a nom de plume. You must go the distance to do so.
- Being unfocused isn’t always a good thing. Just because you can write in a variety of categories or can write a book a week doesn’t mean that’s the smart thing to do. Generally focusing on one type of writing, doing it well, and building a solid readership in that genre is the best way to build a writing career. Readers don’t care that Sue Grafton is bored to death with the alphabet and Kinsey Millhone. Grafton must finish the 30-years-and-still-going-strong series; her fans will have it no other way. If she diverts her attention and creates a new series using a pen name, she will have lost focus on what is working for her.
Have you contemplated a pen name? Why?
If you’ve used a pen name, tell us how successful that was for you.
For fun, what name would you choose for yourself and why?
TWEETABLES
Should you use a pen name? Click to tweet.
How can a pen name help–or hinder you? Click to tweet.
I’ve contemplated the pseudonym question because of a dual focus – fiction and non-fiction. I’m published under my name with a devotional and would continue to use my name for future non-fiction (inspirational) works.
But I’m working on some women’s fiction and would consider using a pen name for that. Although I know there are people who have successfully published both fiction and non-fiction under the same name, I’m not sure it would work for me.
I’d need a good agent to help me make that decision.
Judith, it’s a pretty simple decision: those who read your fiction want you to just write fiction; those who read your nonfiction want you to just write nonfiction. I had a long chat with Liz Curtis Higgs about this one day, and she assured me she is insane to write both fiction and nonfiction. Two audiences that don’t care to mingle adds up to two of everything for the author: Facebook page, Twitter presence, websites, etc. A pseudonym would help to create the great divide that your readers want.
Thank you, Janet. I’m grateful for your input. Now all I have to do is the writing. 🙂
I used to be a bit Anne-of-Green-Gablesish about my name. As a teen, I was the only Sally I knew under forty-five. I came up with all these wild name for the kids I’d eventually have. None would be Cordelia though. What was Anne thinking???
Then I thought Sally would sound so much better with a really unique last name, something eastern European. Like Wojciechowski or some other one vowel Polish name.
Well, I got the Polish guy, but he was Polish from his mom, not his English dad. But I’m perfectly happy with Sally Bradley. I like who she is, and most readers will have no trouble with my name.
So no pen names for me!
Ha-ha, Sally. I love your thoughts. 🙂 I loved Anne of Green Gables too, but Cordelia never grew on me either. I’m guessing that now, you’re glad your last name is Bradley rather than Wojciechowski. 🙂 I’m guessing your kids are glad too. 😉
I’ve known two people named Wojciechowski who use the nickname “Wojo.” Interestingly, one is a man and one is a woman. I also knew a Hodorowitz who used a shortened version, “Hodor.”
“Well, I got the Polish guy, but he was Polish from his mom, not his English dad.”
Welcome to the Twilght Zone.
My husbands’ mother’s name is Stremicki, his Englsih born father’s name is Major.
AND you’re a redhead.
Whoa. Dude. Cool.
Like, were we separated at birth? Or maybe junior high? 😀
Just think how quickly kids would learn the alphabet if their last name was Wojociechowski. Or Hodorwitz. Or Stremicki.
Yuh huh! Or Zarifeh?
Janet, thanks for this post. I considered a pen name at one point, mostly because of the work my husband does. I didn’t want to draw any attention to him.
Having done more reading about pen names, it seems the biggest reasons people use them lines up with what you’ve shared today. Guess I don’t need one at this point.
Let’s see a pen name: Charis Thibault. Just kidding, I’m not sure. I guess if I was to pick one, it would be something readers could remember but also unique. 🙂
Jeanne, picking a good pen name is whole additional topic, isn’t it? Charis Thibualt might not be quite the easy handle for buyers to remember, would it?
Yet another reason for me not to make things harder on potential readers than my real name–Jeanne TAKENAKA. 🙂
Thanks, Janet. 😉
“Care-is Tee-boh”
Je pense francais.
Estoy Canadian.
LOL, Jennifer. 🙂
When I began my company at 21, I used my initials. I was uniquely qualified to do what I did, but was a lovely young blonde doing business in Texas in the early 80s. My gender was a distraction, and the initials were a first line of defense.
When I began to pursue writing seriously, it was natural to use the initials again. Since I have four legal names, the initial format was unusual enough to contribute to competitive point of difference.
Lastly, Mr. Wonderful and I have long kept finances very categorized. Since I’m using my initials, legal complications don’t arise in terms of creating a sole proprietorship if this endeavor succeeds. It’s always important to consider the impact writing under a pseudonym has on your household’s legal structure, because that impacts your taxes, and you can cost yourself money down the road if you suddenly need to set up an entity in your pen name for tax/legal/estate reasons. (And yes, I talked with my attorney about this issue.)
Taxes are an important consideration, Norma. I’m incorporated as an S-corp for my copywriting and editing business. When I sell an article or (someday, I hope) book, payment is made to the corporation instead of to me personally, for tax reasons. This isn’t the answer for everyone, obviously. Best thing is to talk to an attorney or tax professional.
I agree. I’ve seen too many well-intentioned people blindsided because they had no clue about the ramifications of entities and taxes. It’s not as simple as being Hemingway in a boat anymore. There’s also (down the road) possible issues of legal protection form a separate entity if you, as an author, address controversial issues. We inhabit a litigious society aggressively taxed.
When I was in high school and college, I thought a writer used a pen name just to be catchy or because he didn’t like his own name. I mean, would Samuel Clemens have sold as many books and become revered as an American Literature icon like Mark Twain? I always thought my name was fairly unique, especially the spelling. In my hometown of 40,000 people, only two others shared my name, and they didn’t spell it right. 🙂 Of course, now, there are Megans at every school bus stop. But they still don’t spell it right. 🙂 You share some good reasons, Janet, and I’m curious to see what others will mention for pen names.
Although, of course, it was much easier in Samuel Clemens’ day to start writing using a pseudonym, lots of writers did. Especially women who wrote newspaper columns as men.
My name is somewhat uncommon. Not many pasty white girls have an Arab maiden name. ‘Zarifeh’ is also an uncommon name within the Arab world. Annnnd ‘Major’ is an uncommon name in the English speaking world.
So yeah, really, between Google and the CIA, anyone with internet can find me. So it’s lucky that no one in their right mind has tried.
BUT, I take heart that should anyone need to find me, they can. Wait a minute, come to think of it…no one has. Clearly I am too awesome to approach. Yeah, let’s go with that.
For that day when I want to switch it up from writing about Navajo history to writing about modern-day Black Ops missions that turn into civilian rescues that must remain secret (got one) a pen name might come in handy.
I’d go with Refinnej Rojam, but umm, quick, name that culture?
HRH is out, what with the lawsuit and all…
Laura Frantz keeps telling me to cease and desist. Actually, her lawyer does…(KIDDING!!)
I’d go with Heather Zane. Ahhh, the mystery begins.
Of course, Zane puts you on the bottom shelf of every bookstore…for bookstores that still exist.
I grew up in the Z section. (That’s ‘Zed’)Right smack at the end of the visual scan, in the “ohhhh, what’s THIS?” zone.
😉
Hm. I see you like the name HEATHER…
I DO!!! I have this fabulous friend named Heather. And almost every time someone forgets my name, they call me Heather. Great company to be in!
That’s hilarious. Every time someone forgets my name, they call me Melissa, like Melissa Gilbert from Little House on the Prairie!
There is another writer with my name. She is prolific and well known in her field. The first time someone contacted me to say how much they loved my book and I had to admit it wasn’t mine, I knew I had to distinguish my name from hers, so I added my maiden name to my author moniker, even though I never use it in real life. It’s a mouthful but it helps avoid confusion. Someone asked why I don’t simply use my maiden name, but my marriage is an important part of who I am. I suppose I could have gone with my middle name as well (Martha) but I chose the maiden-married route.
P. S. I’m not sure whether “Jennifer Lamont Leo” qualifies as a pen name or is simply an alternative version of my real name. It’s certainly not a pseudonym of the Mark Twain variety.
P.P.S. Another wrinkle in the author-name thing is the Internet. If you do a Google search on my name as I normally use it, the other, better-established author dominates the first several pages of results. If I search for my full author name, that’s not an issue.
Gee, Janet, can you tell this topic pressed my hot-button today? 🙂
Jenny, you pursued what to do about the name duplication problem in a smart way. You checked out what Google thought about your potential authorial name. Good plan!
Jenny, I Googled my full name. And guess who is in prison in the South for several felony drug convictions?? With red hair and who is 40-ish?? Huh, guess???
Jennifer Lynne Major.
And who gets searched and body scanned and stared at repeatedly in every airport from here to Bolivia?
Jennifer Lynn Major.
Oh, Jennifer! {sympathetic groan} Years ago my friend had the same name as a certain, er, demimondaine in her town. The phone calls she received forced her to un-list her number.
Use it, Jennifer Lynn!
LOL!!!! You should hear me laughing right now!!!
Great information, Janet. I never really considered a pen name, mostly because of the difficulty of promoting myself using the fake name. I think, for me, I’d just feel fake (I’m not saying those who use them are fakes. That’s just how I would feel).
The only bad thing about my name is that it can be misspelled four main ways: LindsEy Harrel, LindsEy HarrelL, and Lindsay HarrelL.
So I had to buy all four domain names. 😛
Oops, I mean spelled three ways, misspelled three ways.
Wow. Spelled four ways, misspelled three ways.
I’m confusing myself. LOL!
That is a challenge, when you have a common name but several spelling variations. There’s no easy fix for that kind dilemma. You’ll just have to become so famous, we’ll spell Lindsey and Harrel the “right” way!
I’ve considered a pen name. Lori is not my actual first name, it is a nickname. I don’t really like my actual first name though it does look kidda nice on a nameplate or a letterhead. My last name is OK.
I thought if I ever wrote a romance, I would definitely want use a pen name. I would take a combination of my grandmother’s middle name and her maiden name. The pen name would be Spring Westervelt.
kinda not kidda
I love season names! Cool!
Thank you for the compelling reasons to use my pen name.
You’re welcome, Chantilla the Nun.
I love my pen name because I am now writing books that are very different from my faith-filled journeys for kids brand. I am annoyed a chose a pen name because it requires so much extra effort for social media promotion. Gee, do I sound conflicted? 🙂
My experience has been that a pen name should be considered very carefully. In addition to the extra promotion time to maintain two identifies, I wish I had released my second book under my real name instead. Even though A Christmas Kindness isn’t a faith-based story, it’s much closer to my faith-filled journeys for kids brand than what I am writing now. So, I feel I have muddied my new pen name’s brand by having this book out there that isn’t matching what I plan to be doing with it. Is there any way to correct that mistake? Perhaps reprint it under my real name instead–which probably means extra cost to me.
Cheryl, you certainly bring up an important point: Have a firm plan for your pen name and stick to it. If you are going with a pen name because of the type of writing you intend to do under that name, be sure you’re remaining true to that brand. It’s easy to veer from the plan or for the plan to sort of develop after you’ve started to use your pseudonym.
Cheryl, in your case, you ought to investigate what would be involved in changing your byline for your Christmas piece.
I’ve got an unusual take on today’s post. As a fiction writer, I never contemplated a pen name. I suppose it is because so much of “me” bleeds into the pages. However, as a reporter, I adopted a pen name long ago, with my editor’s blessing, after covering a gruesome murder case here in CT. I use the alter ego for crime assignments (and occasionally politics.) Maintaining a professional distance from a story is difficult, especially those that make your heart break, and this way well-meaning friends and family do not to ask me for details, and I’ve got a clear line separating home and work.
Kathryn, that’s a compelling reason to adopt a pen name–emotional distance and avoidance of questions you don’t want to answer about your reporting.
I did consider using what COULD HAVE BEEN my maiden name if my Norse great-grandparents hadn’t changed it, for my Viking novel. BUT then I realized I’m not ONLY writing Viking fiction, and “Heather Thorvaldssen” isn’t too catchy. I do use my maiden name for an author name, so I can keep my FB and various other accounts separate.
Heather, good call on not using that Nordic last name.
But Janet, Vikings are so popular right now! 🙂
Thank you, Janet. I think so too! Though I still wish they hadn’t changed that maiden name to “Day” so I could’ve claimed that Norse growing up!
I used a pen name recently. I have just started a freelancing career and was desperate to write and get paid for anything. I was approached through a freelancer site to write an erotic e-book.
I said yes, but I asked to change my name. I couldn’t imagine my grandmother seeing my first published book in that context. My mom spilled my secret to my grandmother who laughed, and was really amused when she found out my pen name was my middle name and mother’s maiden name, which were both of my grandma.
Carrie, your comment is a reminder that there are many reasons to use a pseudonym. I’m glad your grandmother saw the humor in the situation!
I was so uncomfortable with the whole project, but my grandma is pretty awesome 🙂
I wrote under a pen name for about 4 months. It bordered on political satire in reponse to the “letters to the editor”. I was writing for the local paper at the time so I didn’t want to get fired. Plus,I wanted to know if I could write well enough that my husband didn’t know it was me.
John occasionally asked..”Did you read what Wakefield wrote?” to which I responded “You know I don’t read that garbage.”
It took a lot of time, work and research to write under my secret identity. When I told John that I was Wakefield he was kind of sad because of how much I really liked reading Wakefield’s comments…I felt like I killed off Mrs. Doubtfire. It was very interesting as well as challenging and what I learned might just show up in a book someday…under my real name!
p.s Wakefield Way was the first street I live on when I was a kid.
Marci, wow, you could incur not only an identity crisis but spousal confusion, all in the name of Wakefield.
No worry for spousal confusion. I wrote Wakefield’s POV as if he was a retired male. However, my husband said he was beginning to get suspicious of Wakefield’s gender because of how quick witted the comments were..hmmm..absolutely NO idea where he would have picked up on that :~D
I plan to use a pen name, but not because I don’t want people to find me or know who I am.
The reality is I go by a nickname (Ginger). No one who knows me personally or via e-mail, facebook, or any other online means knows me by any other name. To use my REAL, mother-given, name would be more like a pen name to me because I am NEVER called that, unless you’re some government official, or a telemarketer who doesn’t know any better.
It really only occurred to me a few months ago that Ginger would be a pen name. 🙂
Ginger, nickname, pen name, it’s all the same in your case.
I have a “compromised” pen name because there were so many Crystal Millers out there and one of them wrote nonfiction/is a Columbine survivor. For the most part it has gone well establishing my identity. However, I have gotten endless grief from family and friends–“Why are you doing this? That’s not really your name!” and it seems to have created some suspicion with them.
So…I second guess this stuff all the time. But when I thought not long ago just chucking this whole thing with my name that I’ve established, I found out just how extensively I have established my “pen” name. It would be starting all over again at this point. So until I run into your list of things, I’ll be sticking with this name. I think. 🙂
Crystal, there are down sides to every choice once you start playing around with your byline.
I forgot to mention that I’ve been contacted from time-to-time by media wanting the Columbine Crystal Miller. Since adopting a pseudo-middle name, I haven’t, and only my name now appears on Google searches for me, and not other Crystal Millers. So, I guess that’s good?
Crystal, I would say you accomplished what you had hoped–to distinguish yourself from all other Chrystal Millers.
I appreciate how you addressed this Janet. I will be using a pen name of sorts (M.P. Hampton) for my next book. It’s completely outside my usual genre (mainstream children’s book vs. devotional). There will be little overlap between my established audience the one for my coming book.
I do recognize the need to have a second author presence, so I’ve started reserving Twitter names, domain names, etc. I know it won’t be a simple thing to participate in two completely separate publishing worlds, but I’m hoping that by starting far enough out from publication and taking it a step at a time, it will be manageable.
Mary, you understand what you need to do. Many other authors pretend a single online presence will do the job.
I’ve only used a pen name for two different articles–one about a suicide in our family, and the other about living with a disabled husband. The details were so personal, I didn’t want to use my real name. So I used the name my mother wanted to name me (RoseMarie–love it) and my grandma’s maiden name–McKinnon.
Donna, those sound like good pen name moments.
I’m so fortunate that my legal name is one easily said and pronounced: Sue Harrison. I figured I couldn’t improve on it. If I needed a penname, I might use my mom’s name and become Sawyer Harrison or Harrison Sawyer. It’s fun to think about, Janet.
Hi Janet,
I’ve often wondered about using a pen name, not for any other reason but DeNecochea is so hard to pronounce. I never have to worry about someone else sharing my name, but is it marketable?
I’ve considered using a pen name because other authors publish with my real name, one even in the civil engineering field, which is my field. Different middle initial, but same first and last. Also other David Todds publish in non-fiction and maybe fiction as well. Plus, it’s not a particularly memorable name.
My internet name is more interesting and memorable. People have told me they have never forgot it once they heard it. Alas, my wife doesn’t want me to use anything but my real name, so I guess that’s what I’ll stick with.
Janet, I’m so happy to see an agent address this issue. Thank you so much for your post!
I would have loved to use my real name but unfortunately “Katya Pavlopoulos” is not exactly marketable in the States (especially not to young adults!).
So after losing sleep over this for months, I decided to use K.P. Anastasi, keeping my real name as initials and adding an easy-sounding name with a Christian meaning at the end.
I love this post. It answers a lot of questions for me before it’s too late. For years, and for fun, I have created and practiced signing all kinds of pen names to see which I like best, and if I could I’d publish under all my favorites! It has taken me twenty years to decide to get serious as a writer, though, and good thing, because it has taken that long to decide to go with LJ.
Before buying a domain name, I did the Google name search and found one other with my pen name, but he is male and is a musician, which didn’t bother me, so I bought the domain name (which I don’t know what to do with, which is a different problem), and set up a “writer” email account. I used this new identity to register for a novel-writing retreat, and when I arrived everything was “LJ.” As the few who were there early can attest, I experienced a major identity crisis! I kept trying to explain that, well, my real name is Lou Ella, but, um, as a writer I’m going by LJ. Ugh! I was very professional!
My remaining question about using pen names is this: which name counts as one’s real name? I have been inconsistent, and all my documents, such as birth certificate, driver’s license, etc. have variations of my name; some have a space between the two parts of my first name, and some don’t, some include my maiden name; some have just an initial for my maiden name. Which makes me wonder if a maiden name is a legal part of someone’s married name. In the process of standardizing my name, I found that my birth certificate separates my first name into first and middle.
With all that, it seems easier for me to just create a pen name, and forego all the issues with my real name.
Etiquette question: How soon in conversations with an agent should the “name issue” be raised? I mentioned it to an agent I met briefly at a conference. I said something like, “If you Google my name, please know that I’m not the Other Writer With That Name who floods the search results.” I thought this was helpful information, since Other Writer’s books are “not for CBA” and I didn’t want the agent to confuse us–just in case he might be interested. But the agent seemed to think it was presumptuous of me to think he’d be Googling my name. I felt as if I’d said something really stupid. Did I commit a breach of etiquette to raise the issue upfront?
. . . this “pen name” stuff is all new to me but then. since I can’t write, I don’t have a pen name but then – I like my real name.
It’s “Yankee Doodle Dandy”.
I am trying to decide right now about using a pen name. I was just thinking about using my middle name as my last and still using my first name. Someone brought up the idea of not bringing attention to their husband due to work and I probably should consider that. no author is using my real last name (barlow) or my middle name (renee). I do like the idea of a little privacy, but not sure if I want to restart on social media stuff. What do I make the deciding factor? I have no idea.
Well, I’m a private person and having a pen name is my way of keeping my name and my family to myself. The world is not always kind or loving.
I’ve considered using a pen name for the reason that I’m still in high school, but I absolutely love to write and I’ve been wondering if my writing is even worthy to be published. So I’ve been aching to put something I’ve been working on to the test but I’m just shy to let it out there to the people that I know and such if any work of mine were to be published. I would really appreciate any sort of feedback on this minor situation. Thank you.
Sarah, if it want to keep it a secret that you wrote a book, that’s totally up to you. You’d be emulating JK Rowling to do so!
I have had a few books published and I used my real name. Is it alright if I change it or once it’s used I have to use that pen name?
Great information and points to ponder, Janet. I’m about to submit my first article, and my concern is the topics I’d like to write about may affect my family (subjects like mental health and abuse). I strive for authenticity. Worth the effort to establish a pen name?
P.S. And also the youth with whom I spend time.
There are lots of reasons to use pen names, privacy being close to the top but creative freedom is also right there.
Scrivinor.com is a new full-featured publishing platform that’s streamlining this space. Setting up multiple pen names for different types of work is built into Scrivinor’s DNA. Each pen name is independent and can present a unique body of work. Pen names in Scrivinor are not connected to real-world identities unless writers choose them to be.
For aspiring writers who want to try writing under pen names, Scrivinor is a free no-obligation publishing option where they can stretch in new directions, be safe and ignore the tech.
https://www.scrivinor.com/article/attention-aspiring-writers?locale=en&prne=pid