Pseudonyms, nom de plumes, pen names, or being someone else...

"A friend who did something like this says he needed his alter ego, not to conceal his real name but to “be” that fictitious person, who wrote a scene in which a father cannibalizes a family pet."

 This and other reasons for using pen names are explored in this article in the New York Times, and also in the book it examines, Nom de Plume: A (Secret) History of Pseudonyms, by Carmela Ciuraru.  The specific reason quoted above is one that I'd never considered--to feel like and "be" the kind of person who is writing the book you want to write. Interesting and worth pondering, and I can understand that motivation, for sure.



Many women authors have chosen to use initials instead of their names to hide their gender. Despite the fact that JRR Tolkein, TS Eliott, et al are men who wrote using their initials, it was pointed out to me that  in recent decades an author name with initials is almost always a woman, thus, it doesn't have the effect it once had. Thus, using a name that is neuter-gender is the best way to remain genderless as an author, or most likely, be assumed to be male. A quick google of 'genderless names' revealed another aspect I hadn't considered--that names that I think of like Pat aren't even on these lists, which are clearly made by a younger generation. Which is another thing to consider when choosing a pseudonym--do you want to reveal your age or appear younger, or appear ageless?

Choosing a pseudonym is like naming a character in some ways. What do you want it to say about the author? Do you want it to be taken as 'serious' or 'playful' or 'sexy' or 'romantic?'

Last April Fool's Day some Book View Cafe authors had fun with pseudonyms.  One effort turned into an actual book. [Go ahead and click those links. You know you want to.]

For about 30 seconds I considered using initials but have since decided against it.*

 

In my classes I have given some general information about creating a 'secret' identity. Choose your pseudonym before you start marketing yourself; acquire a po box for that name so that it never is associated with your home address; get a dba from your local county [if you are in Texas; I don't know how they are handled in other places]; get a tax ID number to use instead of your social security number.  Other steps may also be necessary in this age of open records, such as having an attorney or other representative handle everything so that all those pointers point back to that business and address. I am not sure that total anonymity is possible if your work becomes newsworthy and people really want to dig.

Some of my friends want their names on those books hoping that everybody who ever knew them will see the books and know they wrote them. Some said their family would feel slighted if they didn't use their real name--that family members were proud of their accomplishments and would feel hurt or slighted.

As in so many things, there is no single right answer. I know people [usually women] who wish they had been less easy to find and thus, wish they had used a pen name.  I know people [also women] who wish they'd never chosen to use pen names for various reasons.

What do you think about them? Do you use one? Do you wish you'd used one? Do you have one picked out for 'when it's time?'

* This is the cover of the chapbook sampler of my new fantasy novel that was distributed at LoneStarCon3 and elsewhere; if you want to read it and don't mind digital just let me know which you prefer, Kindle/mobi or epub/everything besides Kindle.