Pseudonym vs. Pen Name: What to Decide First
40% of authors who write in multiple genres prefer using different pen names for each genre to avoid confusing their audiences.
Choosing a public identity as an author is a serious decision. The name you write under determines your brand, how readers will perceive you, and even your career path. Therefore, for many authors, having a pseudonym or pen name is the only choice to get the right persona or simply keep privacy. Which is which? And how will you know what to choose and why? We are going to go through a pseudonym vs pen name breakdown. We will also dive into why authors do this and what they need it for and take you through choosing whether you want one or the other.
What is a Pen Name?
A pen name is an author’s alternative to a legal name used when publishing their work. This is commonly known as a “nom de plume,” which comes from the French, meaning “name of the pen.” The reasons an author chooses to use a pen name are usually varied, either for personal reasons, marketing purposes, or even artistic freedom. For instance, some of the most prominent authors, including Mark Twain and George Orwell, wrote under pen names to express personal preference and shape their public image.
It also means that when you choose a pen name, you create an identity in the public eye that is distinct from your private life. Such a name may be applied uniformly to every writing you intend to publish: novels, essays, anything; it will promote a brand or image.
What is a Pseudonym?
A pseudonym is a generic term and pertains to any name used by a person, often in public life, that would hide a person’s actual identity. However, a pen name is simply one type of pseudonym; thus, using pseudonyms need not be confined to writing alone. An actor can have an acting name or pseudonym, while some people engage in online-related activities and utilize the alias name.
Pseudonyms are commonly used in writing, just like pen names, because of the reasons behind their use—either for anonymity or to create a different persona. Authors might employ a pseudonym when writing from other genres or to address an audience with which they wish to be separated. However, you can hire a book writing company because they will choose pseudonyms.
Why Do Authors Use Pen Names or Pseudonyms?
There are many valid reasons why authors opt to use a pen name or pseudonym. Understanding these reasons and how they can support your writing decision will help with the latter.
Privacy and Anonymity
One of the biggest reasons authors will use a pen name or pseudonym is because they want privacy. Many authors want to have a private life and not mingle it with the public life. For instance, authors specializing in controversial books or genres that might come under criticism opt for a pen name. This is why they use pseudonyms: so that people will not easily find out their identity, and they can get in touch with their readers without exposing themselves.
Marketing and Branding
Another often-cited reason for choosing a pen name is the possibility of creating a specific brand. A particular genre may require a certain kind of name that sounds more flattering or one that readers are more likely to remember better. For instance, a romance novelist may choose a soft, melodic name, and a thriller author may opt for something sharper and edged. Pen names allow authors to be associated with a genre or image they wish to project, which makes them more marketable to their readers.
Gender Considerations
Some writers select the pen name based on gender considerations. Female writers, in particular, could use males’ pen names to venture into science fiction, crime, or thriller writing, for example, which have a history of being widely male-dominated. For example, J.K. Rowling wrote under her initials instead of first names to avoid appearing female as a writer in a highly male-dominated field. A name that is either more neutral or better suited to a particular genre can free authors to expose their work.
Writing Under Multiple Genres
Some authors opt to pen under various pseudonyms for different types of texts. Of course, if a particular author wants to ensure that his readers of romance novels do not have overlapping psychologies with his fans of horror literature, the author needs pseudonyms. Alternatively, using different aliases will allow the author to maintain different fan bases for the two writing styles. However, if you’re not sure about how to choose a pen name or write a book, get book writing services.
“A well-chosen pseudonym can serve as an author’s gateway to experimenting with new genres and reaching new audiences,” says Amy Lewis, a literary agent specializing in genre fiction.
How to Choose a Pen Name or Pseudonym?
Selection of a perfect pen name or pseudonym is a considerable process that should further highlight your aims in writing. A name one selects will form part of the brand. Therefore, making a proper selection of one that relates to your writing and the target audience will be a huge priority. Here are some factors to consider when picking the pen name:
Align with Your Writing Style
You would want the pen name to coincide with your writing genre. If you do science fiction, you need a name that sounds futuristic or mysterious. A more classical or elegant name might be a better fit in historical romance. The name must elicit the right emotions or associations for your target readership.
Make It Memorable
It should also be memorable. A complicated pen name can work against the very purpose of a book: people wouldn’t remember, pronounce, and spell it out. So, an easy pen name is what creates a great, strong brand that most people recognize.
Check for Availability
Also, before finalizing one pen name, researching its availability is crucial. Browse the online database of books available in the different bookstores on social platforms and the domain registrar. This could avoid confusion, especially with other registered authors/public figures. This might lead to future legal litigations between the two conflicting parties.
Consider Long-Term Use
Choose a name to which you can stick throughout the rest of your career. Ponder how this might change through time and how it will stick with your overall identity and writing approach. Avoid cute or gimmick names that become dated quickly in the future.
“The pen name should become a part of your brand—something you can proudly stand behind and feel comfortable with, no matter what genre or project you tackle,” says Mark Daniels, an author and writing coach.
Conclusion
Choosing between a pseudonym and a pen name is a matter of personal preference; it depends on what you want to achieve with your writing. Each offers flexibility to pursue anonymity, have a distinct identity, or write in various genres. Whatever you decide, your pen name will be integral to your writing journey.
At Ace Publishing Services, we want to help you get the most apt pseudonym or pen name to meet your vision, outshine all your competitors in this competitive publishing world, and build up that author brand for you.
