J.Okay Rowling.  Dr. Seuss. Mark Twain. Nora Roberts. 

These authors aren’t who you suppose they’re.

Effectively, on paper at the least. These authors, and plenty of extra, select to write down underneath a pseudonym, additionally referred to as a pen title, that means the names printed on their books will not be the names they have been born with. 

Some individuals would possibly suppose it’s unusual to place a distinct title on their books, however there’s a wealthy literary historical past of writers publishing underneath a reputation pseudonym. Whereas motivations could have modified all through historical past, there are numerous causes an creator right this moment would possibly select to publish their work underneath a pen title even after they’ve turn into well-established within the business underneath a distinct title. 

Let’s check out among the causes a author would possibly select to write down underneath a pen title so you possibly can resolve if it’s best for you. 

Causes Why You Might Select to Use a Pseydonym

1. Use a Pseudonym to Discover Completely different Genres

Branching out and exploring different genres is a good purpose to write down underneath a pseudonym. 

Authors who begin out or make it huge in a single style would possibly wish to experiment in one other. However the advertising strategies and audiences are sometimes totally different from one style to a different. 

Romance readers could be drawn to vibrant, cheerful colour palettes, whereas horror readers know to search for darkish shades and sinister taglines. To maintain issues easy and separate, a author who started in romance would possibly select to make use of a pen title in the event that they wish to attempt writing horror. 

When J.Okay Rowling needed to interrupt away from the world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts and discover a brand new style, she wrote underneath the title Robert Galbraith. 

J.D. Robb is a bestselling crime and thriller author…who additionally occurs to be bestselling creator Nora Roberts. Although Nora Roberts was already a pen title, she started writing underneath J.D. Robb to interrupt into the suspense style and went on to write down dozens of books in a futuristic police procedural collection. 

Past advertising, a author who’s well-established in a single style may need a tough time convincing their followers they’ll be capable of create compelling tales in a brand new style…so, they may wish to create a pen title to interrupt away from the status they’ve already established. 

2. Use a Pseudonym for Gender Neutrality

Authors could use pseudonyms to write down underneath a gender-neutral or reverse gender title to keep away from bias or discrimination based mostly on their actual gender…as a result of sadly, it nonetheless exists (notably in sure genres). A pseudonym may help boundary pushing authors attain a wider viewers or problem gender stereotypes.

That is the rationale Joanne Kathleen Rowling selected to publish as J.Okay. Rowling, which is technically a pen title. Her writer prompt she use her initials to keep away from any bias that will have been proven towards her as a girl writing within the primarily male-driven fantasy style. 

This method goes each methods and Wade Rouse, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly and internationally bestselling creator of 13 books, writes his books underneath the title Viola Shipman. He makes use of the title and his tales to honor the ladies, and the voices, that raised him. 

Within the 2010s, 97% of bestsellers within the Spy/Politics style have been males. If you happen to’re a girl who needs to interrupt into this style and frightened you may not be taken critically in such a male-dominated style, you would possibly think about using a pen title. 

If you happen to don’t need your readers to know your gender, establish underneath a distinct gender than your start title, or simply don’t wish to be a stereotype inside a style as a result of your gender, you can think about using a pen title. 

3. Use a Pseudonym for Privateness and Anonymity 

Utilizing a pseudonym permits authors to take care of their privateness and shield their private id. This may be particularly vital for people who wish to separate their writing profession from their private life, change careers, or who want to talk about delicate or controversial subjects with out concern of non-public repercussions.

If you happen to’ve established your self in a single profession, particularly one which practices one other sort of writing or is pretty public, a pen title may help you retain each careers separate and obtain a level of professionalism in each. As an illustration, if you happen to’re a reporter with a well-established profession and also you wish to break into fiction writing, you would possibly think about using a pseudonym to your fiction work. 

If you wish to write a memoir and also you’re frightened about revealing details or details about your loved ones, you would possibly want to shield their identities and your personal by writing underneath a pen title. 

4 Extra Causes to Use a Pseudonym 

You may additionally select to write down underneath a pen title of pseudonym if:

• Your title is widespread or already utilized by one other creator
• Your title is just too much like an already well-known creator 
• Your title is troublesome to pronounce or spell 
• Your title doesn’t suit your style (Sarah Loveless could be an awesome romance author title however in all probability not an awesome match for a horror author. On this case, Sarah would possibly select to write down underneath a pen title) 

Methods to Select a Pseudonym/Pen Identify 

There is no such thing as a proper or incorrect manner to decide on a pen title however it’s a good suggestion to decide on one meaning one thing to you, that you simply like, and also you gained’t thoughts seeing and being referred to as if you happen to’re profitable! 

Within the case of Wade Rouse, A.Okay.A. Viola Shipman, he selected his grandmother’s title as his pen title as a result of her heirlooms and household tales encourage his fiction. 

Whereas the precise title ought to really feel proper to you, listed here are some ideas to remember when selecting your pseudonym. 

• Examine for availability (web sites, social channels, and many others)
• Select one that matches your style (take a look at different creator names)
• Ensure that it’s straightforward to spell and say 
• Ensure that it gained’t be confused with one other title 
• Think about how previous (or younger!) the title makes you sound 
• Use a pen title generator (you’ll find these on-line simply by Googling) 

Ought to You Use a Pseudonym?

Whereas these are all explanation why you would possibly select to make use of a pen title, the true query is; must you? Within the early 1900s, it was pretty straightforward to disguise your id by writing underneath a pseudonym…right this moment, it’s quite a bit tougher. Even when writers select to write down underneath a pen title, it’s pretty straightforward to seek out their true id. 

So, if you happen to’re selecting to make use of a pen title, you must take into account how strict you’re going to be about protecting your actual id a secret. 

If you happen to’re selecting a pen title as a result of branding and advertising, then it’s not a giant deal in case your double life is revealed. If you happen to’re making an attempt to remain nameless, you’re going to should be much more cautious. 

Selecting to write down underneath your actual title or use a pseudonym is a giant choice and shouldn’t be taken frivolously. The selection will observe you to your complete profession and is a tough option to undo when you begin publishing. Think about your causes, your viewers, and the kind of profession you’d wish to have after which…get writing!