Do I Need To Register My Pen Name?

Pseudonym, nom de feather, or pen name… Call it what you want, merely as an author, these typically mean the same thing. Information technology is a name used fictitiously by authors.

Creating a pseudonym and using a pen name when self-publishing is still an option for authors, fifty-fifty in today's digital age of social media, eBooks, and the internet, which makes information attainable at the click of a button.

The use of pseudonyms by writers and artists has been a popular practice throughout the centuries, and using a pen name is a well-known practice even today.

While pen names may be less common than they were in the past, they are still a proficient selection to consider for mod authors!

Here's what we'll encompass in this pseudonym guide for authors:

What is a pseudonym?
Top reasons authors employ a pseudonym
Reasons why yous shouldn't use a pen name
How to create a pen name
How to choose a pen name
Purchase the rights to your nom de plume
Tell your publisher about your pen name
Legal issues using a pen proper name
Decide your level of mystery
Using a pen proper noun when self-publishing
Your pseudonym will be your identity

Since the 1700s, renowned authors accept been disguising themselves nether i or several noms de plumage for a host of intentions.

Who would have idea that famous names in literature such every bit Mark Twain, Lewis Caroll, and Dr. Seuss were really pseudonyms for Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, and Theodor Geisel?

Before you begin muttering to yourself that yous absolutely had no thought at all and start feeling deceived, understand that these authors must have had legitimate reasons for publishing under their fake names.

Their decision to write and go an author nether a pen name contributed to their private sugariness success in some way, and information technology all happened for a reason.

How most you lot?

If you're reading nigh using a pen name when self-publishing, it's probably truthful that yous're an aspiring author that's considering a pseudonym, or pen proper noun.

What is a pseudonym or pen proper name?

A pseudonym, also known as a pen name or nom de plume, is a fictitious name that a writer or writer uses instead of his or her real name. A pen name is listed equally the author's proper name on a published volume, and readers often do not know the real name or identity of the author.

"A pen name is an assumed proper name used by a writer instead of their existent proper name."
dictionary.com

There are various reasons why authors have decided to publish under a pseudonym, both in the by and today.

What does "Pseudonym" mean?

Pseudonym essentially just means fake name. If you lot look at the root of the give-and-take, pseudo– means "false" and nym means "name."

Pseudonym means the aforementioned thing as pen name and nom de plume. The term pen proper name is more closely linked to an author's pseudonym, because information technology more directly links the author's name to the name they write and publish nether (get it, pen name?)

Nom de plume is the French version of pseudonym, but it means the aforementioned thing. Quite literally nom de plume translates to "name of plume" in English language. Nom is 'name', de is 'of', and plumage is 'feather' (recollect of a quill, which is what writer'south of the past typically used earlier the invention of the typewriter and such).

If you're considering using a pen proper name when cocky-publishing a volume, you'll desire to consider every aspect of using a pseudonym before plunging into publishing with your new nom de plume.

Tiptop reasons authors use a pseudonym

Now that yous know that pseudonym, nom de feather, and pen name all hateful the same thing, you might be wondering why authors have chosen to go by anything other than their existent name.

After all, don't they desire credit for their writing piece of work?

It'due south important to understand the reasons why an author would cull to utilise a pen proper noun, so that you tin decide if you have a solid reason for using a pseudonym for your own book.

Is a pseudonym necessary? Do I actually need a nom de plumage? Why do I want a pen name?

Authors down the years accept taken on pen names for a diversity of reasons. You lot might relate to whatsoever ane of them.

Let'due south accept a quick look at the major reasons authors take chosen to take on a pen name throughout history.

#1 – To protect their identity

Consider Francois-Marie Arouet, who chose to write every bit Voltaire because of his politically controversial works. Voltaire had to utilize a pen proper noun considering his life would've been in jeopardy if his existent identity was known.

Robinson Crusoe, who was actually Daniel Foe, was in the same situation.

Wanting to protect his family, the well-known George Orwell also decided to hibernate his real name, Eric Arthur Blair, every bit his first novel described how they had lived in poverty.

#2 – To escape gender discrimination and prejudices

Female person literary giants were forced to pick male pen names because novels written past women were not well received, and depending on the times, may accept put the women authors in danger.

For example, George Eliot (real name: Mary Ann Evans) and the Bronte sisters: Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily), and Acton (Anne) Bell, all used male pseudonyms since there was rampant bigotry of women in their time.

"Women are supposed to exist very at-home more often than not: but women feel just equally men feel… It is thoughtless to condemn them, or express joy at them, if they seek to do more than or learn more custom has pronounced necessary for their sex."
–Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

#3 – To escape racial and/or cultural discrimination and prejudices

Similarly, the racial and cultural prejudice felt past Ayn Rand, who was Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum in real life, led her to hide her ethnicity so that she would exist well received by the general American reading public.

#4 – To start with a clean slate

Writers similar O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) and Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) desired to escape from their night past and clean up their reputation.

Taking on their widely-recognized pen names allowed them to gain a new opportunity and voice to be heard again on newspaper.

#5 – To dabble in other genres

Popular names similar J.Thou. Rowling, writer of the famous children'southward fantasy series Harry Potter, took a fancy to contemporary law-breaking, a totally reverse genre to the one she became famous for. This led her to employ Robert Galbraith as her pen name for this genre.

As well, Nora Roberts, who is i of the best-loved romance writers in our day and historic period, wanted to try her hand at science fiction. She, therefore, took on J. D. Robb to publish herself in this genre.

Peradventure you're considering using a pen name for cocky-publishing for a similar reason. For case, let's say you desire to write a serious adult drama, but also have a passion for writing a children'southward picture volume; an piece of cake solution would be to use a pen proper name for one genre!

These are all some pretty serious reasons that justified authors using a pen proper noun. Just in that location are, of course, simpler reasons for choosing a pseudonym, which we'll cover below.

#vi – To have an easy-to-remember proper noun

Joseph Conrad (Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski) only wanted his name to be hands remembered and pronounced by his English language readers, which is why he came up with a simplified twist on his existent name.

#7 – To reserve a proper noun for other works of art

Stan Lee originally longed to be known for more serious works and wanted to reserve his existent name, Stanley Lieber, for his novels. Notwithstanding, his pseudonym unexpectedly rose to fame for The Amazing Spiderman.

#8 – To maintain privacy

Lastly, Lewis Carroll was very private so he kept his personal life every bit Charles Dodgson to himself. Ironically, it was still institute out after, equally with all the other authors mentioned.

As a cocky-published author, y'all'll rely heavily on the internet and technology for publishing, volume product, and book marketing. Consider how like shooting fish in a barrel or difficult it might be to maintain a pen name on the internet!

What is important to annotation is that these authors were certain about their reasons for deciding to use pen names.

They knew the publicity and other implications that publishing might possibly bring into their lives and families, so they stood by their decision to opt for a pen name.

Whatever your reasons are, I promise you will too.

Reasons why y'all shouldn't use a pen name

Beingness an writer in. the digital age tin can make the use of pseudonyms a scrap more tricky than it might have been in the past.

Nowadays, authors don't really have to use a pen name like many authors throughout history had to. It's more than of a preference now, which is why it's important that you take at least one solid reason for wanting to employ a nom de feather to publish your volume.

Here are the superlative reasons why y'all shouldn't utilise a pen name:

You have a dedicated readership. If readers or followers already know y'all by one proper name, don't misfile them and switch it up your name.
You want to avoid extra work. In that location are extra legal steps involved with using a pen name to self-publish, and it tin can be a headache if you're not exactly sure what y'all're doing.
You desire your existent proper noun used in social situations. Consider whatever interviews, writing conferences, book signings, and in-person events that y'all may attend. Exercise you want to use your real proper noun or stick to a pen proper noun? Choose one or the other!
You're non certain nearly using a pen name. If you're just considering using a pseudonym because it sounds like a skillful thought at the moment, think on information technology more. If you don't accept a solid reason for using a nom de plume, like to protect your identity, then your pen name will probable fizzle out and lose it's charm on you somewhen.

How to create a pseudonym

Hither's the fun part that we have all been waiting for – well, possibly just me. And perhaps, information technology is non really that fun after all; as they say, selecting a pen proper name is more than difficult than naming a babe because you lot volition demand to expect for an appropriate last name.

Here are the steps on how to create a pen name:

Brainstorm using the alphabet
Connect your name to a deeper meaning
Browse through baby name resource
Use a pen name generator

So, how do we begin? Get your pen and paper ready, and let's first.

Let's go over those steps to create a pseudonym in more particular!

#one- Brainstorm a nom de plume using the alphabet

Similar to the process of writing where you beginning off with a blank sheet of paper (or the blank glaring screen of a word processor for that thing) and doodle your ideas away until the annoying writer's block is warded off, go through the alphabet i letter at a time and list all the first names that appear in your mind with every alphabetic character until you find "The One".

Repeat the same process for last names.

Some authors even make upwardly their ain fictional grapheme with a backstory. It's really up to how wildly far your imagination flies.

#2 – Connect your name to a deeper meaning

If yous desire your pen name to be meaningfully continued to a particular concept, idea, or theme, and then narrow down your brainstorming.

Think of what yous want in terms of your preferred standards or expectations.

For example, you may only want realistic American or Spanish names, or you may want symbolic or totally fake names. You lot may adopt to jumble the letters of your name or list only like-sounding names to your real proper noun.

The ideas are limitless, so take some time to select a meaningful pen name for your self-published volume.

#3 – Browse through babe name resources

If you're a parent, you probably know how stressful naming your child was. And yous probably found babe proper name resource to be super helpful.

In the case of discovering your nom de plume, you might find that baby name resources are your all-time bet when you're feeling stuck on ideas for coming up with your pen name.

Accept some time to peruse through infant name sites, and you lot but might stumble on the perfect proper name. You can even search for certain themes, time periods, or languages.

A quick Google search led us to this baby name resource:

#5 – Use a pen name generator

If time is running out, and you badly need to decide on using a pen name for self-publishing, do not lose heart! There are always Name Generators that you can endeavor your paw at.

Hither are 7 pen name generators online to help despairing writers like yous:

A pen name generator with 11 customizable attributes.
A generator of pen names from Invaluable.
A fantasy pen proper name generator.
A generator of cool screen names.
A pseudonym generator.
An evil pen proper noun generator.

How to choose a pen name

In one case you lot accept an ongoing list of possible pen names that you've created for yourself, information technology's time to select a winner.

The key to creating a fresh pseudonym that will last throughout your author career is to select information technology carefully, and do your homework on the pen name first.

Once you publish a book under your pseudonym, it'll exist really difficult to change it without having some negative repercussions on your author brand.

That'south why, we encourage y'all to do as much research as possible before pulling the trigger on using a pen name for self-publishing your book.

Here are the steps to choose a pen proper name for yourself:

Enquiry the pseudonym to see if information technology's available
Don't use the name or pen name of someone famous
Inquiry official proper name registrations
Avoid using a person'due south real name
Check available website domain listings

Recollect of it like a name change that's directly tied to your career. You desire to accept it seriously!

Here are some tips for doing your homework on a pen name.

#1 – Research the pseudonym to see if it's available

Make sure y'all enquiry to see whether the pen name is already being used by another author or artists.

Don't skip this step! Scour through the spider web, particularly bookselling sites, to find out whether someone else is using the aforementioned name.

You don't desire to confuse readers, and credit for your work might exist given to the wrong person.

Fifty-fifty worse, you don't want to take to compete with any other well-known person within the same space – just because y'all both are using the same name!

For example, we did a quick search for authors on Goodreads for the proper name "Henry Adams" (a seemingly mutual name).

After we entered "Henry Adams" our search results led us to this page, where it is confirmed that more than one author shares this same name!

#2 – Don't use the name of someone famous

Avid followers of the entertainment industry might exist disappointed with what I am going to say next: Do non apply the name of your favorite role player or actress as a pen proper noun.

The public might mistake you for their beloved glory, which will definitely frustrate you, them, and the one idolized past many.

Worst case scenario: yous may end upwardly bashed on and offline, maybe even branded as an impostor. So for your own personal and literary good, please don't.

#3 – Research official proper name registration listings

This step takes your research a chip further, but your efforts volition pay off in the grand scheme of things.

Browse through all registered trademarks at your country'south trademark office. You lot may unintentionally select a registered name without malice, and put yourself in danger of receiving a cease-and-desist observe.

Likewise, search for domain names that take not been taken yet. This will prevent problems if you lot decide to register a domain in the long run.

Utilize sites like this one to conduct a quick name domain search. This will tell y'all if the domain is available, or taken.

Word of caution: Be conscientious with domain searches! Sometimes people are able to see what domains take been recently searched, then that they can purchase it and re-sell it to the original searched. This usually happens if the domain proper name you are looking at is a high-book word. Shady business, merely it happens.

#iv – Avoid using a real person'south name

Curb possible accusations of identity theft past following this reminder. With billions of names and faces in the world's population, this is virtually incommunicable.

Y'all will need the help of social media and search engines to find if a existent person has been, regrettably, named with your pen proper noun.

To condolement you though, this will not exist an issue every bit long as you exercise not write nigh controversial topics that may harm them nor deliberately try to impersonate them, which is identity theft. If you cannot avoid such, and so delight expect for another nom de plume.

#5 – Bank check the pen proper noun'due south website domain

If you programme to publish multiple books under your pseudonym, or if you plan to create a book business organisation, information technology is highly probable that you will consider creating a website for your books later on in your career.

When that time comes, it's of import to have a website domain that is the same as your writer pseudonym, or closely linked to it.

If someone else already owns the website domain for the pen name y'all want, you might consider choosing some other nom de plume that is available.

You can cheque sites such as GoDaddy or NameCheap to search domains, and buy the one yous want.

Purchase the rights to your nom de plume

One time your heart is assault a pen proper noun, it's fourth dimension to begin the proceedings to secure your new nom de feather officially.

After many agonizing hours, you have finally called your pen name and you will not let information technology go. Now what?

It's time to claim your proper name and own it for yourself.

How in the world practice y'all do that? You will demand to purchase a domain for your name and register it as a trademark before using your pen proper name for self-publishing.

If you plan to receive payments using this proper name, you will demand to apply for a Fictitious Business Name or Doing Business As (DBA) Statement. These laws volition differ in each country, and then brand the necessary inquiries to be safe.

Once you accept purchased the rights to your name, so experience free to use it on your book cover, title pages, and copyright discover. At that place is no longer any need to add your real name. Sweet!

Of class, you must register the copyright of your piece of work under your pseudonym. And don't forget your ISBN! You may opt to add together your real name in the copyright records but conduct in mind that your before long-to-be fans may find out your true identity in the public copyrights file which will be published online.

Let your publisher know about your pseudonym

There is no use hiding your existent name from self-publisher. Subsequently all, your legal proper name volition be required in order to become paid royalties and other fees.

They will desire to be aware of the identity and background of the authors they publish since their ain company name will be at stake, likewise.

Fifty-fifty if you were to accept your book traditionally published, proceed in mind that contracts are signed in your real name.

Legal issues using pen proper noun

You are still legally bound, even if you employ a pseudonym, nom de plume, or pen proper noun.

Having a registered pseudonym does not automatically mean you tin can at present avert all the legal issues continued with your real name.

If you lot have pre-existing contracts similar confidentiality or employment agreements, you are still spring to them. Your pen proper noun cannot transform you into a different person and release you lot from legal papers.

Too, if y'all plan to defame others with your pen proper name every bit an instrument, retrieve over again. A thorough investigation will notwithstanding find you lot out.

Are pen names legal?

Yep, an writer tin can legally employ a pen proper name or pseudonym to publish their intellectual belongings. Pen names are legal, equally long as you have purchased the rights to your pen proper name, and have copyrighted your proper name.

An author of a copyrighted work is allowed to apply a pseudonym or a pen name. When you register your work for copyright, yous tin can choose to exist identified past your legal name with the U.S. Copyright Part, or you tin omit your legal name and simply take your pseudonym listed. For more than on this procedure, click here.

Make up one's mind your level of mystery

How secretive should y'all be? That depends on your reason for picking upward a pen proper noun.

If you never want to be revealed, then yous should cut off all links between your websites, limit your book signings or speaking engagements, and take down all your selfies. After all, you don't want exposure.

On the other hand, if you long to build and maintain connections with your readers, then you lot may want to disclose yourself at writers conferences or on your website and social media platforms.

Of course, consider that this may defeat the purpose of using a pen proper noun in the first identify.

Using a pen proper name when cocky-publishing

With the ascension of cocky-publishing, many authors are confused about how to arroyo the idea of a pseudonym for their work, and if it's a good thought or non.

There are several questions that we often hear from self-published authors that are curious about using a pen name, which we'll briefly cover in this section.

Tin you lot self-publish nether a pen name?

Yes, authors tin self-publish using their pen name or nom de plume. If you're self-publishing a book, you can definitely use a pseudonym when writing and publishing your book.

In fact, many indie authors use a pseudonym or nom de feather when they publish books in several unlike genres.

Think of indie author Joanna Penn, who published non-fiction by her real name, and publishes thriller and dark fantasy books under her pen name J.F. Penn.

Here's how to employ a pen name when self-publishing:

Know the reasons why you desire to use a pseudonym. You should take a solid reason for using a pen name to cocky-publish your book.
Create a pen proper name that speaks to you. Your pen proper name will be with y'all forever, so be sure it'southward meaningful and makes sense for your career.
Choose a nom de plum afterwards doing some research. Ever be sure to do your inquiry before selecting a pseudonym.
Purchase the rights to your pen name. Be sure to purchase the rights to your pseudonym so that you can avoid legal troubles that may arise if you're using a nom de plume that's taken past someone else.
Copyright your pen name. You can annals your pen name with the U.S. Copyright office for added protection.
Notify your self-publishing company about your pseudonym. Ever be certain to let any publishing company that y'all work with nigh your real name.
Publish under the pen name on a self-publishing platform. Depending on your self-publishing platform, you'll desire to ensure that you publish your volume under your nom de feather, and non your real name.
Empathise that you are still legally spring. Yous aren't above the constabulary with a pen name, and you must still bide past legal regulations.

Be honest when using a pseudonym for self-publishing

A simulated name with a fake biography may be too much for your readers to handle. You lot may lose credibility, especially if you are dishonest nearly your achievements.

In one case found out, your readers may turn down you and throw all your writings out the window. Then, yous may have to return to square 1 and hunt down another pen name all over again to revive yourself. Simply kidding.

Your pseudonym volition be your identity

I myself had been intrigued by pen names and enjoyed using them whenever I wrote. As I grew up and entered the world of freelance, I realized I needed to be real if I were to create my own niche online and provide services to people.

Pen name or no pen name, the determination is yours. Should you brand up your mind to utilize i, you have those eight pieces of advice at your disposal. Just recall:

Your proper name is your identity.

Utilise it wisely.

Pseudonym or no pseudonym? The selection is yours

Coming up with a pen name leaves all of united states with an awesome privilege: to build a unique persona with a voice that can impact our world and influence people for the better.

The choice to utilise a pen proper noun is upwards to you, so choose wisely.

Have y'all contemplated using a pen name for cocky-publishing a book?

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Raine is a freelance author who specializes in digital marketing, book publishing, and natural health topics. She is also a licensed librarian and English teacher, and previously worked as a multimedia librarian in a Philippine academy. During her free time, she enjoys watching online courses, watercolor painting, and dunking her Oreo into a glass of milk.

Source: https://selfpublishing.com/pen-name-self-publishing/

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