Comments on: Why Nonfiction Writers Shouldn’t Use a Pen Name

By: Nina Amir

Nina Amir — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 09:57:49 +0000

Kevin,
How about just adding your middle initial? I wouldn’t use a pen name…unless maybe writing fiction. I’m not a fan of pen names.

By: Kevin Seiler

Kevin Seiler — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:42:39 +0000

I am wondering there is an author with the same name as mine. In this case would it be better to use a pen name. I would still use real first name middle name but change last name to my mother maiden name. I just want to keep from getting confused with someone else in book or Google searches.

By: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Carolyn Howard-Johnson — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:33:18 +0000

PS: Linda, if “being all over the place” were your only concern, there are ways to get around that. I’m not saying that each genre you write in will be equally successful, but there are marketing techniques that let you play one genre off the other. I personally am a poet, novelist, author of a series of how-to books for writers and another series of how-to books for retailers. I’ve found ways to show readers how one set of experiences informs the other.

There are also ways to market by keeping the genres relatively separate without using a pseudonym.

By: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Carolyn Howard-Johnson — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:29:06 +0000

All very good reasons to risk the difficulties involved in the marketing of your books, Linda.

By: Carolyn Howard-Johnson

Carolyn Howard-Johnson — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:27:45 +0000

Absolutely Michael. This is written from a marketing viewpoint. Using a pseudonym will make it harder to market, but there are still time when we must use them. Having said that, using one isn’t always the protection we think it is. For really sensitive things, it’s a good idea to run it by a good attorney. But you knew that. (-:

By: Nina Amir

Nina Amir — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 07:36:57 +0000

Linda,
While some of your concerns seem valid, such as those related to coworkers, I feel you might be overreacting when it comes to people being jealous, vindictive and sabotaging your success. If the people you know are like this, you might reconsider who you hang around with!

I write on several different topics. I don’t worry about being “all over the place.” I just assume people will see that I have more than one interest.

But that’s just me. You have to decide what is best for you.

Did you see this post on the topic? It’s written by my colleague and friend Carolyn Howard-Johnson: http://writenonfictionnow.com/to-pseudonym-or-not-to-pseudonym/

Best wishes,
Nina

By: linda

linda — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 06:18:39 +0000

I am writing a book under a pen name and I do intend to do workshops, conferences and retreats. I am writing under a pen name because the subject that I am writing on may draw attention from dangerous individuals. As well, I work in a world where people get very jealous of others accomplishments and I would rather avoid all of that. As well I have also written a book on a totally different subject matter and don’t want to appear as being “all over the place.” Lastly, I disclose information regarding my history and overall feel that my co-workers and peers would object to self disclosure as I am a professional in the area of human service and some oppose to using self disclosure and would get confused. I feel that I am better off using a pen name and at some point people I know will discover that I am using a pen name but feel I wll cross that bridge when I get there. I know some very jealous and vindictive people who love sabotaging others and would just rather avoid any attention drawn to myself among those I know. I wielcome any feedback regarding my concerns.

By: Nina Amir

Nina Amir — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:38:22 +0000

I do understand that there are some cases where a pen name is necessary because of your line of work. A job in the government might certainly be one of them. A job as an airline pilot…not so sure I get that. However, your point is well taken. I most cases, however, I would disagree and I stick to what I said. Another writing coach I know heartily agreed with me on Twitter, as would most others I know as well.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:57:47 +0000

Good thoughts, but I must respectfully disagree. I work for the federal government (under another name) in a sensitive area, and if my “alternate universe” of fiction and nonfiction writing was associated with that name, it would create difficulties. I also have a good friend in a similar situation – if he published his science fiction work under his real name, he would be taken less seriously as an airline pilot.