This is aimed a little more at people with published works or close to publishing. But I am open to hearing from everyone.
When publishing what do you think of pen names and do you think they’re good for writing and publishing.
I, for example, technically have two. I use “Rose Holland” for my art and all associated with art and I use “Sybil Rose” or “Sybil Rose Wilde” with my art.
Do you think this is harmful or do you think this is good for a writer? I’m having a lot of conflicting feelings as I get further into the writing process.
Comments (2)
I think it really depends on your reason for having one.
Established authors often put them to good use if they’re trying out a new genre. I heard a talk from Stephen King once about how a lot of publishers will want authors to stick to one genre as it’s easier to market ‘fantasy authors/romance authors etc’. While I think that practice is becoming less and less common a pen name can also function to let the new book stand on its own feet rather than the author’s shoulders.
The privacy aspect of it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Authors seem to be marketed just as much as their books are nowadays.
I can think of two valid reasons to use one.
1. Using your real name would cause problems. These problems can range from embarrassment and difficulties marketing all the way to physical danger.
2. It’s an artistic choice/You just like the name better than your own.
I think a lot of authors like to pretend they need one where they really just want one. There’s nothing wrong with simply wanting one but we tend to feel this need to justify it. You don’t have to do that. If you want one then use one.
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“You signed it with your real name?”
“Of course I did. What’s gonna happen? A vegan is going to physically attack me. They’re basically made of glass. But more importantly, if you believe in something you sign your name to it. Which is why the makers of carbonated water will soon know where to find me.”
- Ron Swanson
My creative writing teachers at uni talked about pen names. The danger of them is putting on a persona. You can tend to forget what you yourself are like behind the veil of a name. This pen name did all these things, but the true author—yourself and your real name—is tucked away.
When you use your real name, you put yourself out there and not your persona. It’s all you, and you have room to be authentically you. When publishing, you sell yourself and your work. It’s all you, so my advice is don’t hide behind the pen name. Your pen name might sound nicer on the tongue, but it’s still not the core of you—your own name. Because when you see your own name on a printed work, it’s something incredibly special.