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Using a Pen Name
by John Kremer

Some authors like to use pen names when writing books, especially fiction. Below is a Q&A email I answered for an author who wanted to use a pen name — and had a lot of questions on how to use a pen name successfully.

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I have just finished writing a novel and will be publishing it myself under a pen name. I chose to go the pen name route for reasons of privacy and also for marketing reasons (so people don't get confused if I ever write other genres like theology, children's books or if my 1st book bombs and I want to start over).

I will be publishing under the name of Pen Name. I will be myself, Real Name, as the publisher of My Publishing Company. Having a pen name is relatively easy if I just sit at home and don't go out. But since you advocate that authors interview and speak and sign books, I can't see writing under a pen name working. Do I just give up on it and write under my real name? Here are my questions:

Q. How do introduce myself to my audience, radio talk show hosts, conference attendees? "Hi, I'm Mike." "Hi, I'm Lee" or "Hi I'm Mike, but that's not my real name."

A. If you have a pen name, you publicize and speak using that pen name.

Q. Will I violate a trust with my audience or reviewers if I keep my identity a secret?

A. You violate no trust by keeping your true identity secret. Your cover can state that you are using a pen name, but you don't have to provide your real name if you don't want to.

Q. If I tell a interviewer my real name is Lee, will they agree to refer to me as Mike during the interview?

A. Don't tell anyone your real name. Focus on being and promoting your pen name. Don't confuse them by giving them two names.

Q. If I go on TV or speak in public, how should I handle it if someone recognizes me?

A. If someone recognizes you, simply tell them you write and promote under your pen name.

Q. What other reasons have authors employed pen names for?

A. Some writers have employed pen names because they write in two genres and want to keep the two separate. Others use pen names because they are so productive that a publisher would never publish all their books under one name (for example, J. D. Robb).

Q. Do you have any anecdotes from other authors who had these problems?

A. They are not problems, so I have no anecdotes. Using a pen name really is not a problem.

Q. Can you give me the names of any other authors who might have some advice for me?

A. Don't worry about a pen name. You are way over concerned. Simply write and promote under the pen name and don't make a big deal about it.

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