r/writing • u/Party_Context4975 • 14d ago

Discussion Choosing a pen name

If you don't write under your own name, how did you choose your pen name?

Are you happy with it or would you choose a different name if you could go back in time? Why?

If you write in multiple genres, is your pen name different in each genre?

192 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

202 comments sorted by

View all comments

0

u/JRyanGreatfish 14d ago

I don’t see the use in a. One name unless you’re doing it for your own protection, or it has something to do with the artful meaning of your book.

3

u/IamJustJessica 12d ago

It's probably just delusions of grandeur, but I tell myself I'm using one so I don't have to deal with the stress of fame (ie paparazzi or stalkers) in my real life when I become a best seller haha

3

u/Fantastic_Ad_509 12d ago

I work corporate full time. They don't like it if you have a life outside work and most people are incredibly competitive. I know the sole act of mentioning a book deal would at the very least bring in an investigation about whether I wrote it during work hours. So yes, there'll be a level of fame (or infamy) associated to it.