A Pseudonym by any other sweet would be named smell. No, that’s not how it goes. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. That’s it. But then again, we wouldn’t know it was a rose, would we? We would call it something else. I don’t know. It’s starting to be silly.
However, when it comes to authors, the question of what name to put on the front of the book becomes an important question. Do you go with your own name or do you make up a name? If you make up a name, what should you go with?
My favorite pen name/pseudonym is Lemony Snicket. I don’t know if it gets any better than that! If you can go with a name like that, it’s win-win!
Today I want to take a quick look at pen names. I was thinking of listing separately the pros and cons of using a pen name, but I think it’s easier to work through all this in one list:
Some reasons to use a Pseudonym (Pen Name)
1. You have a truly horrifying name.
If it’s really that bad, best to go for a Pen Name. Perhaps your parents were cruel. If so, this is your opportunity for a new start.
2. You write across different genres.
Perhaps you are a respected pillar of the community, but you want to write a book with snot jokes. My books include snot jokes, but I did not meet the first criterion so I didn’t think it was a problem. If you fit both of those criteria, best to use a pen name.
You might also be a big name in business and write books in your field, but are also writing books about carpentry. You might want some separation between the two topics. In which case, you might want to even try something like this: “Jane Smith” for business books and “J. Smith” for your carpentry books.
3. You want some anonymity.
Perhaps you do not want to be mobbed by everyone who sees you. Perhaps you would rather not be noticed. Go for it, but understand a few things. First, people can find out who you are without too much trouble. This is the information age, after all. Consider Lemony Snicket (great name, by the way). If you want to know his real name, just look up his Wikipedia page.
Second, not everyone becomes famous enough to have to worry about being mobbed by crazy fans. In fact, few Indie Authors do. So… what I’m trying to say is… it may not be an issue. 🙂
4. You have a name that’s already popular in one field or another.
If your name is Stephen King or Nelson Mandela, write with a Pseudonym. If you write a book under your real name, people will think you are that famous person. That might give you some extra sales at first, but it’s a bit of a cheap and disrespectful move. It might also lead to some legal trouble.
5. You have a difficult name.
This is actually a really good reason to use a pen name.
If your name is really hard to pronounce or you have found over the years that people have a hard time remembering it, consider shortening it for the sake of your fans. You want a name that’s memorable.
My name is actually Shawnawannamorachickenwingsa Robinsonianoffamabuttandgetsomethindone. I wasn’t sure the spine of my books could handle that, so I shortened it down a bit to just Shawn Robinson and added in my middle initials. I feel that’s a better way to go and it’s easier for people to remember.
There we go. Those are some reasons to go with a pen name (along with some reasons not to mixed in with them).
I would like to mention two more issues to consider.
First, if you use a pen name, you may also face an issue in copyrighting your work. I would recommend you check out the following blog to see what they have to say about publishing with Pseudonyms: Writer’s Relief: Pen Names Part II.
Second, if you are going to go with a Pen Name, google that pen name before you commit. You might be surprised at what you find.
I seriously considered going with a Pen Name. The reason for it was because I have written some pretty silly books. I work as a pastor in a church and I wondered at first if I would ever be taken seriously again if I published books that included snot jokes and a kid being sucked down a toilet.
There were a few things that convinced me not to use a pen name. First, I googled the pen name I was going to use. I found that my potential pen name was associated with some things I didn’t want to be associated with. I changed up the pen name a bit and googled again and found something similar.
Second, even though I was a pastor and wondered if I would be taken seriously after writing snot jokes, I realized that people like it when someone has a sense of humor. Why hide it? On top of it, I’m not sure I have been taken seriously up until this point so I might as well commit.
The third reason was a big one for me. I realized that marketing is a really tough area to work through. If I published under a Pseudonym, a lot of people who have known me for years who might buy the book, might not actually buy it since they won’t know I published it. I realize that friends and family make up a small portion of sales (very small), but without those who know me, I realized I was starting from scratch. I wanted to start at a different place than this “scratch” place.
In hindsight, it has also allowed me to interact more freely about my writing with people I know. Just a little while ago, I met up with a guy I’ve only seen once in the last 20+ years as he is also in the process of publishing a book. These connections are harder to make when you are using a pen name.
Using my name (instead of seeking anonymity) has also allowed me to connect up with readers in my community. That has been a fun part of this process.
In the end, it’s a tough call. People choose pen names for many reasons and go with their own name for many other reasons.
I would recommend you think it through carefully before making your decision.
I will say again, I really like the name, Lemony Snicket.
Comment below with your thoughts about pen names and why you would or wouldn’t go with one.
Shawn
12 responses to “To Pseudonym or not to Pseudonym”
Interesting post. I have been toying with the idea of using a pen name for one of my books to separate it from the other genre I write. But then again as you said, I will be starting from “scratch” again and I don’t think I want to do that. People knows me by my first name “Rosalinda” and I’m known in my community by that name. I also thought I might just use “Rosalinda” without my surname like “Madonna” or “Cher” but I thought that was ridiculous in itself. But it is unique and people will remember it. Still on the fence. I like Lemony Snicket. You are brave to use that. Kind of punky which I can never be in a million years. I’ll ruin my image.
It’s certainly a tough call. J. K. Rowling used one a while back for a new novel she had written and loved the fact that she could start from scratch, but most of us aren’t in a spot where that’s as helpful. 🙂
Oh, and Lemony Snicket isn’t my pen name, it belongs to the author who wrote Lemony Snicket and the stores of unfortunate events. It’s a fun book series.
Let me know what you decide in the end and how you came to that decision. I’d be interested to know the process and reasons for your final decision.
It’s a tough call and I can’t seem to make up my mind. I’ll let you know when I do.
Rosalinda, have you decided about the name? I was thinking about you this morning and wondering if you had made progress on that decision.
You made me the happiest women in the world when I became Mrs. Shawnawannamorachickenwingsa Robinsonianoffamabuttandgetsomethindone, but of course I respect your choice to shorten it for the sake of your writing career.
I felt it was a gift I was giving to you and our children. 🙂
Juanita, sounds like a wife with a fun sense of humor.
She’s pretty awesome!
;0)
There’s one too many Phyllis Moore’s as authors. Too bad they didn’t pick a different name. ;0( Oh well.
To set me apart, I add “of Moore’s Myths.”
Anyway, you next post is up. Hope all is well.
There is an author named Shawn Robinson as well, but I think just one. There’s also a football player and an actress, but if I add in my initials, I’m good to go!
I’m glad the next post is up!