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How to Choose Your Pen Name

If you're willing to sacrifice the glory of seeing your name in print -- you'll need a suitable replacement. Maybe you express controversial views in your writings, or you give up information that may conflict with your job, family or friends. Or you could just be a recluse who wants your personal identity private so the focus is on your work and not you. In these cases, it would be wise to use a pen name.

Things You'll Need

  • notebook
  • pencil or pen
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Instructions

    • 1

      Create a list of names that you have always liked, or would have chosen if your parents had let you have a say.

    • 2

      Think about how these names would sound to your demographic. If you are writing a children's story, you would not choose a more sensual name like Bianca Deveraux. You might choose something a little more simple and catchy like Alison Jones.

    • 3

      Run your new name past a few people of the age and demographic your work is intended for. Ask them if they would read work by that author.

    • 4

      Make sure that although you are using a pen name, your publisher is aware of this fact and has your real name and tax information. You may want to add a detail about this on your resume when you list work under your pen name as a publishing credit.

    • 5

      Choose a name you know you can live with for years to come. Make sure it is appropriate for all the genres of writing for which you might want to use it.

    • 6

      Consider availability of the name on the Internet, for social networking sites and domains.

Fiction

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