We received this tricky question from one of our readers recently, and we thought it was a great one!
Hi, I have a question regarding pen names. Your articles are very informative and helped a lot, but there’s still one question I have left. I am beginning my first novel. I chose the pen name Hunter Field for two reasons: First, I’ve always wanted an alias; second, my real name is not easily spelled, pronounced, or remembered. I am about to introduce myself to a group of NaNoWriMo authors in my local area. All of my Internet personas are under Hunter Field (my blog, my forum accounts, my NaNoWriMo account), so I don’t want to confuse them by introducing myself by my real name and then writing, commenting, etc. as Hunter. What do you suggest?
Unfortunately, there is no one simple answer here, but there are options. When you’re building a Web presence, branding is important—so it’s right to stick to an easy-to-remember pen name across all websites and social networks. When it comes to mingling in real life, the situation can change.
Many (perhaps even most) writers go by their pen names when they are presenting or speaking. They stand up in front of a crowd and say, “Hi, my name is Faker de Plume. Thank you all for coming.”
Later, when the speaking gig is over and said writer is out to dinner with some new friends, he/she might clarify: “Actually, just to be clear, Faker de Plume is a pen name. You can call me by my real name, True Moniker.”
In casual situations, some professional writers who write under multiple pen names will sometimes rattle off all of their pen names, followed by “But you can call me True Moniker.”
At conferences, some writers wear their name(s) on their badges. Those who want anonymity will wear only their pseudonyms. Those who want their pen name to be associated with their real name with often include both names on their badges.
In online forums, it’s not inappropriate at all to use a pen name as your screen name (heck, most people make up crazy things for screen names, and pen names are tame in comparison). A writer can set his or her signature for forums to say:
Pen Name
aka Real Name
Ultimately, it’s about what you’re comfortable with—and there’s really no wrong answer. Some writers want to hide their real names; others don’t care or have good reasons for sharing them. The key is being up front with professionals like agents and editors when you deal with them personally. And if you’re comfortable with both of your names (or all of them) in public, be sure to put people at ease by telling them that they can call you by any of your names.
Read more about pen names:
Pseudonyms: Using A Pen Name In A Cover Or Query Letters To Agents Or Editors
Creative Nonfiction: How To Stay Out Of Trouble
QUESTION: Do you have a pen name? How did you choose it?
My pen name is a mix of my real name and a family name (not mine).
I use my real first name because I think it would be weird to have to answer to a name that’s not mine! I’d be like “Are you talking to me?” LOL!
My real name is very generic, and I wanted something that would stand out! I just chose something that I thought embodied my spirit.
Thanks for posting this! As a follow-up, I would like to let you know that when I did introduce myself to the NaNoWriMo group (and other writing companions,) I said something along the lines of “Hey, I’m Real Moniker, and I write as Hunter Field.” Most people understand right away that Hunter Field is a pseudonym. Most end up calling me Hunter, probably because it’s fun to call someone by their alias 😉
Thanks for your advice, Writer’s Relief! It really helped =)
Hunter
Thanks for the great question, Hunter!
I’m really glad I stumbled on this. I’ve been having these confusing thoughts too.
Thank you for these insightful clarifications, Writer’s Relief!
Thank you for this comment too, Hunter.
I find all very very helpful.
I always thought that my real name–Donna Brown–was too common, so I decided to use Cygnet which is a synonym for my maiden name which is Swanson. I have used both names interchangeably on the internet and the other day I decided to google both names to see where I would come up. I was shocked to discover that both my real name and my pseudonym came up #1 on Google and dominated the first two pages!
My real name is so common (Linda White) that there are over 1500 hits on that name on Amazon! My pen name is a tribute to dogs I have loved. My German shepherd mix was Reggie and my whippet was Duke, so I took Regina Duke. 🙂 I needed something that resonated with me, so I could feel like the name was a part of me.
Nice blog!
I have a friend who uses Poet’s Pen as her pen name. She loves to write about many things. While I use Talking Pen. Every time I compose poems, short stories, or quotes that I post or share in my groups, I interchangeably use my real name or this pen name. My pen name embodies the person in me. I love to write just about anything – it may be about a bug, a dog, a pig, a smile, a shadow, a struggle, etc. Aside from this passion for writing, I also enjoy giving speeches to inspire others. That is why I chose, Talking Pen.
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Thank you kindly all information was very helpful since I’m writing under my penn name. This is an awesome sight. Hunter Field thanks for asking the question in my head. Loved all responses. Have a great day!
You’re welcome!