Pen names (pseudonyms)

[GinBee, Founder & Mod]

Many authors out there use pen names (also known as a pseudonym) for a multitude of reasons - does this bother you? Do you ever think about it? Do you think an author should disclose if they are using a pen name?

Some reasons authors may use a pen name:

*Writing in a very different genre than they are known in and want to distinguish so as no to confuse fans! (or even required to by their publishing house) eg Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb (and Nora Roberts is a pen name based on her real name too!)

*They are writing erotic fiction and want to be rather more anonymous due to other writings or profession outside writing.

*They have had a failed book or two and use a new name for a fresh start. Sherrilyn Kenyon wrote as Kinley MacGregor for example

*Their real name is hard to spell or there is already a well known author with that name

*Plain don't like their real name!

*Just because!!!!!!

Authors - do you use a pen name? Why?

[Krysta]

I'm not an author (though I do want to write a book one day) but I think I would use a pen name just because a lot of people can't say or spell my last name.

[Veronica]

I don't care if an author uses a pen name. In fact, I don't really think about whether or not if it's their real name. :)
This is my pen name for my books. I don't want to use my real name because I like my anonymity. I figure if I ever get famous, I want a division between my personal life and my author's life. On the flip side, if I completely flop, I'd prefer to distance my personal life from that as well. ;)

[Angie Elle]

I don't care if an author uses a pen name or if they disclose it.

The only thing an author owes his/her readers is an enjoyable story, IMO!

[Katerina]

I don't care if an author uses a pen name or if they disclose it.

The only thing an author owes his/her readers is an enjoyable story, IMO!

Well said! I use a pen name because I want to and because if my employers found out I was writing books with the intention of loosing myself from their shackles I think I'd get into a fair bit of trouble!

One day I'll reveal myself. For now, this will do :-)

[Jennifer]

I agree, I don't care about the name its the book I care about.
I'd probably write under a different name too, for all those reasons - especially of it flops - gutting!
:-D

[Helena]

I use a pen name. Mostly because I'm kind of a private person. I love being able to talk to my fans, but if I ever get famous, I'd like to be able to leave the house without being hounded, or people finding out where I live. For me, it's mostly about safety.

[rachel]

My only problem is when i have to remember a different name and i love both the authors series like Shelly Laurenston and G.A. Aiken same humor just that one has a dragon series and the other has a shape shifting series

[Sonya]

Jenny wrote: "Many authors out there use pen names (also known as a pseudonym) for a multitude of reasons - does this bother you?"

You know when it bothers me? When erotic authors have pennames like SoandSo Sex or historical romance authors have pennames like Elizabeth London.

A lot of authors actually do go for that kind of thing!

[rachel]

Sonya Heaney wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Many authors out there use pen names (also known as a pseudonym) for a multitude of reasons - does this bother you?"

You know when it bothers me? When erotic authors have pennames l..."

yeah that gets really annoying

[Nica]

I use a pen name to keep some level of privacy. Maybe I'm paranoid, but it's so easy to track and stalk people these days. Just knowing your full name and general state of residence can bring up your home address and listed phone number. It's not impossible to track down my real name, but I like the separation.

[GinBee, Founder & Mod]

Sonya Heaney wrote: "historical romance authors have pennames like Elizabeth London..."

I know someone who London is their real name & she's an author and using a pen name for the very reasons you mention :-)

[Sonya]

Jenny wrote: "I know someone who London is their real name & she's an author and using a pen name for the very reasons you mention :-) "

Really? It must be annoying if it really is your name!

There’re also some authors who seem to be trying to piggyback on the success of better-known authors. For example, those paranormal authors who started using "J.R. (Surname)" when J.R. Ward was at her most famous.

[Carolyn F.]

I remember reading that one author used a pen name because even though she changed genres to sci-fi and should have her books in that section, book stores would lump her sci-fi books with the historical romances that she wrote. So she changed her name so that she could reach people with different likes.

[Sonya]

Carolyn F. wrote: "I remember reading that one author used a pen name because even though she changed genres..."

That's a good reason to do it. A lot of authors go by multiple names (some have about four!).
Then you have authors like JK Rowling and Nora Roberts/JD Robb (who has an androgynous name for her crime books) because too many men still have issues with women authors.