Aside from fiddling with fonts, contemplating acknowledgments sections, and/or finding the perfect quote to precede the start of the book, dreaming up pen names is a favored procrastination tool for many aspiring authors out there.
As a result, I receive a whole lot of questions about them: should I include my pen name in the query letter? Do I need a pen name? Can I use “Dan Brown” as a pen name? What about “Stephanie Mayers?” See what I did there?
This post will hopefully answer all these questions.
UPDATED 10/31/19
You probably don’t have to decide right now
But before we get to the pros and cons of pen names, whether you do or don’t decide to use a pen name is something that can and should be figured out on down the line in consultation with your (future) agent.
When you send queries: query as your real self. I wouldn’t recommend send it from your pseudonym. When I was a literary agent, I wanted to know who I was really going to be working with.
If you’re considering using a pen name or have a pen name, mention it if you feel it’s really necessary and just put (writing as Mr. Pen Name) below your real name. Example:
Sincerely,
Nathan Bransford
(writing as Danger McDangerson)
Deciding whether to use a pen name
Now. As for whether you should or should not use a pen name, again, this is something that should be contemplated with your agent. Circumstances are inevitably different for every author, so generalizing will not capture all the ins and outs.
But here are some rough pros and cons:
Pros for pen names
- You can optimize for SEO. In this day and age of Google Searches, if your name is John or Jane Smith or something very common, a pen name can help you with SEO. What is SEO? Search Engine Optimization. If someone Googles “Jane Smith,” the author Jane Smith with the book out might be on page 47. Jane Jingleheimerschmidt, on the other hand, will probably be closer to the top. (Before the days of Google I never appreciated having a weird last name. Hooray for Bransford!)
- You want to avoid the attention of certain foreign governments. Some authors want a public persona that’s different from their passport name to avoid complicating future travel. (Honest!)
- Your previous books didn’t sell as well as you had hoped. A pen name can sometimes give an author a fresh start.
- Your publisher or agent feels your book might do better if the author’s name sounded more male/female/gender neutral to appeal to either a male/female demographic. Be very, very careful with this sort of thing, and it’s a practice that is largely falling by the wayside. Let the professionals decide this one and I wouldn’t try to over-engineer it.
- You want to avoid complications in your professional life. You might want your professional presence online to be different from your artistic persona online.
Cons for pen names
- It’s complicated. Many authors find it extremely annoying to have a pen name in the Internet age. In the past you just had to learn to answer to your pen name at readings and in interviews and otherwise you could go about your business. In the day and age of the Internet and Twitter and Facebook, constantly being another person gets exhausting, what with switching between e-mail accounts and remembering your alternate persona’s likes and dislikes, etc. etc.
- It can be harder to tap your network. With a fake name it’s more difficult to utilize your personal real life network to help sell a book. Regular non-book type people out there find pen names pretty confusing and difficult to remember.
- A pen name won’t give you cover when you’re defaming people. Not gonna fly in this day and age: The Internet will figure you out. And defaming people, even in novels, is extremely risky and costly business. Also it’s illegal.
In general I would recommend against using a pen name unless there’s a really good reason for it. In other words: don’t use one just to use one.
But if you really really need one…
Tips for pen names
- First check to see if the Internet domain is available. It will make your life much, much easier to have the FirstnameLastname.com domain.
- Don’t try and mimic another successful author. Be yourself.
- Many people find it helpful to stick with your first name at least so you don’t have to remember answer to a new name or accidentally call yourself your actual name.
- Make sure it’s memorable. If you’re going to get a new name, make it a good one!
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Art: Two tax collectors (detail) by Marinus van Reymerswaele
J.L. Martin says
Thanks, this is a great post. What about using initials? I'd rather not use a pen name and find my initials help make my slightly generic name a bit more memorable. Well, at least I hope so!
Polenth says
I'm more concerned the other way… I don't want a publisher trying to force me to use a pen name. I like my real name.
Serenity says
Suddenly I adore my parents.
MLGoodell says
I've been thinking about going with a pen name. How does Bic Cross sound to you?
Mira says
I prefer my real name, although I have at times considered that I may want to use a pen name just because I'm so outspoken on the industry blogs….but that might back-fire, and people might feel tricked, which I wouldn't want…actually that feels sort of sleazy….so it might be better to go self-publishing if I have trouble, rather than with a pen name…but it's 2-3 years away, so I won't worry about it too much yet.
All that said, this is really helpful information. I notice you get this question ALOT, Nathan. So, it's very nice to have it all written out. Thanks.
Can I also just mention how much fun I'm having on the forums? I'm also surprised at how much information is there, and how nice the community feels. I especially love the 'edit' function. š
I hate change, but the new blog and the forums already feel comfortable to me. Thanks for all that, Nathan. š
Kiersten White says
Since my first name is an unusual spelling, we (meaning my wonderful agent and myself) decided to use my maiden name rather than my married name (which is also unusual and prone to mispronunciation). Plus, since Kiersten White is the name I used for nineteen years of my life, it's not hard to remember.
But you're right–there's no point in having a pen name just to have a pen name.
Rick Daley says
If I ever write a book about Chicago politics I'm definitely using my real name.
Thermocline says
Can I use a pen title? I've always liked the sound of "His Munificent Highness" or "Dark Lord" depending on my mood that morning.
John Ross Harvey says
Considering I will be writing multi-genres and I share a name with a prolific Crime author, and my current 5 comedy books don't sell (despite Amazon listings), I'm using 4 psuedonyms or pen names based on the genre, 1 for romance, 1 for crime, 1 for scifi, and the other for what genres are left including bios. It took me a while to find the names, and each is socially active right now on Myspace Facebook and Twitter mostly, and friends with each other of course.
If the namesake crime guy didn't exist, I may never have used these (ok maybe the 1st one), and with luck they sell better than my name does. Romance will be first one out of the gate using pen name #1. Chances are better it gets read from this genre I hope. 2 syllable 1 syllable hook for the name also. Read a pile of blogs on this topic and romance writing to suggest this course of action. It will not sell with my name on it, as my gender is too obvious. Pen name #1 is an indeterminate gender non-specific name, at least I think it is.
Zoe says
I've often contemplated a pen name, but as it turns out my real name is more obscure than the name I would have liked to have used. So at least for 'SEO' keeping to the real thing seems preferable.
Too Many Laurens says
Thanks for this post!
The pen name issue makes me nervous — I'm someone who's begun the process of building up a "writer persona" under a different name, for some of the reasons you've listed in the post (my given name is very much like that of several other authors writing in my genre, and I don't want my writing life to interfere with the name I've made for myself in my other career). I definitely see the wisdom in discussing pen name ramifications with one's agent.
But in this age of "getting known before the book deal," it seems like you have to make that pen name leap of faith as soon as you start outing yourself as a writer / aspiring author among the writing community. I didn't like putting myself out there on writing forums and blogs using a name I never intended to publish under. I had a pen name in mind and I had, oddly enough, begun thinking of myself by that name every time I sat down to write. It just felt right. So now, even though I've yet to send out a single query letter, I'm registered with my maybe-someday pen name on Twitter, Tumblr, and WordPress, and even went ahead and reserved the firstnamelastname.com, too.
Am I shrewdly forward-thinking? Or just stupidly optimistic? I don't know.
Bittersweet Fountain says
Nathan,
I notice you mention the pro of using a pen name to make your name more complicated if its to plain (as in the example of Jane Smith), but isn't it also a pro to use a pen name if your real name is overly complicated? Someone once described my last name as "the alphabet throwing up". People can't google you if they can't spell your name.
Of course, I would love to use my real last name. I love my name. And wouldn't it be awesome if everyone could spell "Pietruszewski"?
Helen says
I'd actually prefer to use my real name, but when I Googled it I found there is already an author using it.
It's not a well-known author (I don't think) but would a pen name be better in my case?
Nathan Bransford says
bittersweet fountain-
If Chuck Palahniuk is any indication, people figure it out.
Nathan Bransford says
Also, good rule of thumb: if you have to ask if you need a pen name the answer is probably no.
Todd says
I've always wanted to use "Joan Grisham" for my legal fiction, but now you've talked me out of it!
Kurtis says
You've forgotten the most important consideration, which is the knowledge/hope that your exes will inevitably see that sign of your success on the shelf in the bookstore and die a little. Much harder to imagine with a pen name.
Anonymous says
Middle of the road option? A nickname John "Jack" Public as John Q. Public publishing under Jack Public.
That's what I'm left with as my name is already used by others, writers too, and has a large presence on the Net. My unique digital citizenship is in the form of a nickname and has no others' identities.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
Yeah, middle initials can help too.
Keith Popely says
I've been using Jacob Wonderbar. Is that cool?
John Ross Harvey says
Have not gone the ".com" route yet
if I did they'd have to relate to each other. (Hoping Twitter does the same effect) Basically I had 3 reasons, my name is already in use in one specific genre (Crime), and my middle name added wasn't helping me, and my next project was romance, so 3 strikes to my own name even being looked at.
Dara says
I'm pretty certain I've got a fairly unique actual name without coming up with a pen name š When I Google search myself, I'm pretty much the only one with my name for a few pages. š
Thanks to my parents for giving me a different first name–something I use to hate when I was younger–and my husband, whose last name is not exactly the most common out there.
Anita Saxena says
For the longest time I thought I was the only Anita Saxena. But upon googling I discovered the first hit is a professor in India. Hit number 2 is my blog. I can't complain.
Heather Lane says
I know authors who write under several names in different genres–You wouldn't want a child mistakenly picking up an adult book written by their favorite author…
But–question–I use a variation of my real name on-line. Because there are weirdos here. How do you protect yourself from weirdos when using your real name?
Amanda Morgan says
Isn't there some story about an author with a pen name who had a famous musician read his work and then said musician asked the author to hang at a concert? Of course, the backstage passes were under the author's pen name and he didn't get to go back after all….
Between backstage passes and a cooler name, I choose backstage passes every time.
Suzanne says
Was always hooked on Dr. Seuss (he's still my muse) but also loved the books he penned as Theo LeSieg too. I was wondering about benefits of having a pen name if you are able to publish both picture books and chapter/YA books? Would it be better for an author to be able to distinguish between these 2 completely different genres by authorship? Especially if the author ends up with 2 different publishing houses? Just curious about what others think…
ORION says
My real name is hyphenated and my agent and editor thought it might be difficult to remember so I just use the last part: Patricia Wood
I thought it might be common but interestingly enough it's not…for those who want their name to come up – you might consider using
YOURNAMEauthor.com
Mine is patriciawoodauthor.com
Makes it easy and usually is a domain you can get without too much trouble
Marilyn Peake says
LOL. Yes, I caught what you did in the first paragraph. "Stephanie Mayers" instead of "Stephenie Meyer". Chuckle. š
susiej says
Its scary how many people on twitter and Facebook have my same name. My same middle inital- everything! Scary.
Jenni says
I've thought about using a pen name because of a stalker situation. But if I did that then the stalker would win and I don't want to give him the satisfaction. I'd rather have "New York Times Bestselling Author" right before my own name, rather than some made up nonsense. I might have to get another restraining order but I'll also get all the glory that makes it worthwhile.
Emily White says
Before I was married, I contemplated using a pen name to avoid the "sound just like a previously published author" trick. Yeah, my name was Emily Dickinson. I was reeaally considering a pen name. But, it's not an issue anymore and I like my married name. If an agent were to suggest a pen name for some reason, I wouldn't be against it. I guess, at this point in my life, I no longer feel very strongly one way or the other.
Marilyn Peake says
Emily White –
Your name was Emily Dickinson? That's awesome! You were destined to become a writer. š
Stephanie Black says
I never wanted to use a pen name. After I worked that hard to write the book, I want people to know it's mine!
Andre Vienne says
The only reason I ever considered a pen name is because my internet handle has morphed into one all its own (seen here), but I generally put my real name everywhere anyway.
Oddly enough, people I know in real life call me 'Andre' just as much as 'Richard'.
Thankfully, I have a sufficiently distinctive surname, so I won't have to worry too much about that later anyway.
Emily White says
Marilyn,
It definitely got me an "in" with all of my English teachers. š
And I do believe that my name had something to do with my desire to be a writer. It was the first profession I had ever learned about because everyone would inevitably ask if I was going to be a writer when they heard my name. It eventually just became a natural assumption. š
Annalee says
Would you consider "my real name makes computer systems cry" a good reason to use a pen name?
I've got two surnames and they're not hyphenated. Because some computer systems can handle spaces and others can't, my driver's license, passport, and social security card don't match. I'm willing to go through all that because I like my name, but I imagine it would make it hard to find me on bookstore shelves or in databases.
I've often thought that if I ever get published, it might be best to do so under my fiance's last name (who will by then be my spouse). Do you think that would be a good reason to use a pen name?
Marilyn Peake says
Emily,
That's really fascinating. You grew up with a very lucky name!
ed miracle says
My name is so common, I'm considering Julius Seizure. More my style.
John Ross Harvey says
There are authors with more than one pen name I suspect, or at least one with thier "real" name.
Steven King aka Richard Bachman
Nora Roberts aka J.D. Robb
I'm sure other's exist, especially in romance genre, if they are men.
Anonymous says
This was a great post, especially the part about how pen names can be exhausting. They are.
But I do use them, and the only reason is genre crossing. There are different fans in different genres. If you establish a fan base in one genre, and then attempt cross into another genre without a pen name, readers don't like it.
Nathan Bransford says
Yes, genre crossing is a reason I should have included.
Diana says
Even if you think you have a unique name, it's best to google it and find out. I thought my real name was unique, then I found it that I share it with a handful of others including a female minister. Eep!
catwoods says
I love my real name as much as anyone, and would love to honor my DH with the use of his last name when I get published.
However, a google of my real name brings up a very famous rodeo star and a porn girl.
My first name is actually a boy's name and spelled differently than all other first names like mine.
So, pen name it is. It's one I've been using on line for my writing blogs/communities since I first started the technology gig, so I'm getting established that way.
Also, when other writers "hear" my pen name they assume it is my real one and always comment how it's the perfect name and they would never go with a pen name if they had a real name like mine.
LOL! Names are funny that way.
Rachel says
Don't you think we should have a bad pen name contest? It could be lots of fun, and help further our procrastination efforts.
Unfortunately, I'm busy reading (The Spanish Bow), so I don't have time to think of one just now.
Tina Lynn says
Nathan,
What about to shorten a name? Isn't it true that if your name is too long it won't *pop* on the cover?
Susan Quinn says
Rick – I live in the Chicagoland area. If I ever write a story about Chicago politics, I'll use your name, too!
š
Anonymous says
I'd like to add this, too. If you use a pen name for a particular book or series of books, stick with the pen name. In other words, don't announce that you're using a pen name six months after a book has been released. It irritates people and makes them wonder what the writer was thinking in the first place.
Anonymous says
I like to remain anonymous, so I'm for pen names.
tlmorganfield says
JL:
I can tell you a little about my experience using initials for my pen name, and maybe it will help you decide whether or not you really want to go that direction.
If I had everything to do over again, I wouldn't have used my initials. My reasons for deciding to use them long ago was that I wanted to disguise my gender. There's still some debate as to whether or not being female in my genre is a detriment or not, but I chose to hide it because of the notion that it was a strike against me with readers. Ten years later I have no hesitation about declaring my gender and have never felt I was discriminated against for sales because of my gender. A top short fiction editor in my field even recommended I don't do this, but I'd thought my few sales to small markets I had at the time precluded me from being able to change (I somehow thought it would be like starting over when in reality I hadn't really even "started" yet).
Given my concerns ten years ago, who would have thunk that later in my career I'd actually find it annoying to be mistaken for a man! (People often think my first name is Tim). There's also nothing is more tiring then at conventions always introducing myself as "I'm T.L. Morganfield, but you can call me Traci." I don't want to be called TL in conversation; feels impersonal and like I'm hiding. So just be sure you're prepared to go by your initials in conversation or do the whole "…but you can call me such and such" deal every time you meet someone new.
atsiko says
Well, I've got a hyphenated last name. It's completely unique as far as I am aware, but a lot of computer systems seem to have issues fitting my name, also. And I'm not all that interested in using either half of my last name on their own, either. People mispronounce and mispell both halves all the time.
I also happen to have a screenname that I blog under (the one I'm using to leave this comment, in fact), which also has a Twitter and Facebook, and I have plenty of friends who know me only under that name and another that I use online. 'snot that I have anything against my real name, or that I am particularly enamoured of having a pen name. It'd just be a pain in the butt to remake all those contacts under my real name.
Anyway, interesting post, Nathan. I always enjoy pen name discussions.