![]() ![]() There will also be an overriding gender of authors too. Whether it's tropes or cover trends, the expectations are there. Genre ExpectationsĪll genres have expectations. Make sure that the name hasn't already been used by an active author still writing and publishing. Similarly to Googling, you'll want to double check the digital bookstores. You want to be as accessible and easily findable as possible. While it might feel quirky and fun to choose an unusual spelling, it will make it harder for readers to remember and harder for them to find you when searching the internet. If you're going to choose a pen name, it's a good idea to pick something that's easy to say-and therefore memorable for readers. If you change your mind again, you can always release the handles and URLs. If you find the social handles and URLs are free, it's a good idea to reserve them. If they're not free, then you'll need to decide if you can tweak the handle and get something satisfactory or if you need to change your name entirely. If they're free, then you're on to a winning name. Similarly, you'll want to check URL availability and social media handles. That's why it's better to change or tweak the name so you don't compete. You might not have heard of an author using it, but what if there's an actress, a business person or a famous company in another country already using the name? While this might sound obscure, the difficulty comes when you're both fighting over digital space and SEO terms for the name. Pen Name Considerationsīefore you settle on your pen name, you'll want to check a few things.įirst up, Google the name. Publishing contracts should clearly state who is and is not allowed to know your identity details: there should be a privacy clause included and restrictions over who can access the name behind an author’s pen-name.īoth ALLi and our literary agent Ethan Ellenberg have committed to always checking this issue when looking at contracts. Use an avatar rather than your real image, check how payments will work to protect your anonymity, etc. If your pen-name is for safety rather than a marketing choice, take steps to protect it. ![]() ![]() If your name is too similar to an already established or famous author.You write in a dominated genre and want your gender to match that of the genre's expectations.You want a name that will stand out more or fit into the genre better.You want to protect your family from your writing work or the public.You're changing genre and want some level of separation between you and your original audience.If your name is complex or wouldn't fit on a book cover.If you want to keep your identity secret.If you're working in the legal system, a teaching profession or a role where you need separation from your day job.If you have a job that requires a customer facing role or is in an industry that wouldn't gel well with your chosen genre.There are many reasons for choosing a pen name. The author or artist then chooses to use this new name in association with their work in order to disguise their birth name and identity. What is a Pen Name?Ī pen name or pseudonym is a different name to the name assigned to you at birth. But why would you use one? When should you use one? What do you need to consider when choosing? That's the topic the Alliance of Independent Authors AskALLi team is covering today: the ultimate guide to pen names. Pen names can have a lot of emotion connected to them or they can be the freeing safety net you didn't know you needed. Now you need to decide if you publish under your name, or a pseudonym. ![]()
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