Pen name Vs. Real name. Pros, Cons, thoughts?

[M. A.]

I was just courious what everyone thought on the subject of Pen names Vs. Real names for authors?

[Leonie]

I've always been happy writing under my real name. I figure that I'm me, and I'm happy that people know that I wrote what I wrote.

I know some women write under mens' names in the hope that their books will sell better, and I've heard that some people who write erotica deliberately use a pen name...

I suppose in the end it comes down to personal choice.

[CeeCee]

I write under my pen name. It's just easier that way for me.

[B.B.]

I think it's all a matter of what will work best for you. If you're a woman trying to break into sci-fi or epic fantasy, you might want to use a masculine name or just initials. I can imagine a man might use a feminine name (or neutral name) if they were writing romance or erotica. I'm using a pen name to write YA for personal reasons. I have story ideas in different genres and would use a different name. I'd use my real name too. Using your real name is great, especially if you're writing in the same or similar genre.

[Victoria]

Some people will use a pen name because they think they'll do better in a certain genre if they sound like they're the opposite sex. Some people do it because they want to separate the different genres they write in. Others do it because they don't like their real name, or their real name is so common they want to use a different name so they stand out from the crowd.

I don't see the need for it myself, and write under my real name. But I think it's up to the individual to decide. If you think a pen name is best for you, use one. If you don't think there's any reason to use one, don't. Simple as that.

[Angela(demonsangel)]

I agree with Victoria. I started my nickname in another group I'm in. I think there was one other girl in the group with a nickname as well. I decided to create one and then it seemed as if the entire group had nicknames but they still used their real name and put their nickname beside the real one. I think it's whatever you feel like doing though.

[M. A.]

Awesome input guys thanks. With pen names isn't there a legal process you would have to go through to be able to prove that was you? I was reading an article that was talking about that for stage names and it mentioned pen names being similar. If that is the case it would seem to be easier to stick with your real name for a newbie writer like myself.

[Jane]

I personally love the mystique of a pen name. Sometimes work can be so dreary you wish you were someone else, somewhere else. Then when you pick up that pen (er, put your fingers on that keyboard), suddenly you ARE that someone else, somewhere else.

Naming yourself with a great pen name is like knighting yourself!

[Jane]

Pros: (what I mentioned above.)
- Brand recognition
- If your name is too long, you can make it more memorable. Example: "Charles Willington" can be "Chuck Wills."
- Repositioning. If you want to move into a new genre and your fan base is used to certain content, a pen name is basically a fresh start.
- Maybe your work is controversial or NSFW.

Cons:
From Copyright.gov:
- if a copyright is held under a fictitious name, business dealings involving the copyrighted property may raise questions about its ownership.

[Donna]

I agree, I love pen names. When I was writing I always used one. If by some weird change you get famous you will have your famous persona and your private one. Or is you write different genres, like you said.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

I write under a pen name as I'm somewhat paranoid about putting my real name on the internet. Also if I ever get published I don't want to have any "fame" or recognition when I'm out walking so I can continue to lead a normal life.