How Do You Legally Use A Pen Name?

When filing for copyright protection for your writing,

use your real name for “Copyright Claimant” and your pen name for “Name of Author

.” If you do not want your legal name associated with the pen name, enter only the pen name under “Name of Author” and identify it as such (Lucy Lychuzweckio writing as Lucy Smith).

Is it legal to use a pen name?

Yes,

an author can legally use a pen name

or pseudonym to publish their intellectual property. Pen names are legal, as long as you have purchased the rights to your pen name, and have copyrighted your name. An author of a copyrighted work is allowed to use a pseudonym or a pen name.

How do I purchase the rights to a pen name?

You can register a manuscript under

a pen name at the copyright office (www.copyright.gov)

. You’ll have to provide some information, including your real address. But if you really want to keep your true identity under wraps, set up a post office box and have information from the office sent there.

How do you get paid using a pen name?

If you want to know how to get paid under a pen name, that is a bit more complicated. Necessarily it

will require you to create a legal entity under the pen name

. There are a few different options to consider, like a DBA (Doing Business As) registration. Also, you may consider getting a Certificate of an Assumed Name

Do you need to trademark a pen name?

2:

Pen names cannot be trademark protected

. … The author must prove that the name has “secondary meaning” by being part of a unique brand that is used in marketing and commerce, and is widely recognized. Like J.K.Rowling which is a trademark owned by Joanne Rowling.

What is a good pen name?

• J.K. Rowling.
• Dr. Seuss.
• Stan Lee.
• Richard Bachman.
• Lee Child.
• Mark Twain.
• The Brontë sisters.
• George Orwell.

Can I use a pen name for business?

A pen name is used in place of a given name to make the user stand out more (or less), to protect privacy, or to provide anonymity. In terms of using a pen name for business purposes such as signing a contract with a pen name,

there is no real benefit for such use

.

Can you publish a book for free?

Self-publish eBooks and paperbacks for free with

Kindle Direct Publishing

, and reach millions of readers on Amazon. Get to market fast. Publishing takes less than 5 minutes and your book appears on Kindle stores worldwide within 24-48 hours. … Publish Kindle eBooks and paperbacks for free on KDP.

How do I keep my pen name secret?

1. Get A New Email. …
2. Set Up Separate Social Media Profiles. …
3. Purge Personal Photos. …
4. Soft-Focus Your Bio. …
5. Consider Copyright Issues. …
6. Check Out DBAs And FBNs. …
7. Limit Public Appearances. …
8. QUESTION: Do you think pseudonyms are a good or bad idea for authors?

Can I use a pen name on Facebook?

Facebook: Facebook only lets you establish a personal profile under your real name but

you can create pages for your pen names

. … Though some people manage to fly under the radar using a pen name for their personal profile, Facebook will shut down your account if they find out.

Do I have to publish under my legal name?

If you’ll use your maiden name, with only an incidental mention of your legal name when required, then

it makes no sense to have any publications under your legal name

.

What is Stephen King’s real name?

Stephen King, in full

Stephen Edwin King

, (born September 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, U.S.), American novelist and short-story writer whose books were credited with reviving the genre of horror fiction in the late 20th century.

What is Stephen King’s most popular book?

Stephen King’s top-selling novel is

The Shining

. The novel was first published in 1977, or 44 years ago (as of 2021). When you multiply 44 by the yearly book sales (15,732), you get 692,208 copies sold.

Did Stephen King write under an alias?

Stephen King is undoubtedly the most successful horror writer of the modern age, but his sheer prolificacy led him to create

the Richard Bachman pseudonym

in order to produce even more output. The Bachman pen name remained an enduring part of King’s celebrated career, demonstrating the author’s impressive ambition.