Should I Use My Real Name As An Author?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As a general rule,

most authors should publish under their legal, given name

. … Same name – An author may use a pen name when their real name is either confused with another author or notable individual. Avoid overexposure – Sometimes a pen name is exercised to avoid overuse.

Can I use people’s real names when writing a book?


You can use the real names of those who have given you written permission to do so

. But when getting written permission isn’t something you can or want to do, it might be easier to change the names of the characters in your memoir. That’s it.

Can you write a book without using your real name?

Can You Publish a Book Anonymously? Yes, you can

publish anonymously

, and many authors prefer to publish some or all of their books this way. But you should make sure that it is the right choice for you. … So if you are using a pen name when self-publishing, you will likely find that it’s relatively easy.

Do most authors use pen names?


Many writers use pen names

—but there’s a right way and a wrong way to publish your book, stories, poems, or essays under a pseudonym. Actors and artists often use fictitious names, and writers sometimes choose to create under a different persona as well.

Why do authors not use their real names?

There are many reasons why an author chooses to use a pseudonym and not their actual name:

They want to try something new

. When a famous author known for writing a specific type of novel wants to tackle a different genre, they may choose to adopt an assumed name.

Can you publish a book under a fake name?

Yes, authors can self-publish using their pen name or

nom de plume

. If you’re self-publishing a book, you can definitely use a pseudonym when writing and publishing your book. In fact, many indie authors use a pseudonym or nom de plume when they publish books in several different genres.

Can someone write a book about me without my permission?

First, a simple rule. If what you write about a person is positive or even neutral, then

you don’t have defamation or privacy issues

. For instance, you may thank someone by name in your acknowledgements without their permission. If you are writing a non-fiction book, you may mention real people and real events.

Can I write a book about a famous person?

Celebrities in Fiction

Newspapers, television shows and people who publicly mention celebrity names do so with caution, and as a fiction writer you should, too. But it’s fiction! Isn’t it okay to use the names of public figures in fiction, since you’re only trying to tell a story? No, sometimes it’s not.

Can you be sued for writing a book about someone?


Defamation

. … The offense of injuring a person’s character, fame, or reputation by false and malicious statements.” The term covers both libel (written) and slander (spoken). Only living people can sue for defamation, so someone can’t file a lawsuit against you for defamation through an estate or relatives.

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.

Can I write a book about my life?

Writing and publishing a book about your life story is a bit of a different process from writing a novel or even writing about someone else. But your story is important. It’s your life. … This is your story; rather than developing characters for a made-up story, it’s your personal life you are sharing with readers.

Where can I publish anonymously?

  • Telegraph. Telegra.ph, a web app by the same authors as Telegram that lets you create and share a post very quickly and easily, without the need of an account. …
  • txt. fyi. …
  • Write.as.

Do journalists use pen names?

On one hand it’s very easy to defend the use of pen names and aliases;

they’re widely used in many forms within journalism & elsewhere

. … Likewise, journalists may need to adopt pen names and aliases in order to protect sources, their contacts, or other inside sources of information.

Why do female writers use pseudonyms?

Many female writers have adopted male nom de plumes, or otherwise gender-ambiguous pseudonyms, for a number of reasons: to publish without prejudice in male-dominated circles;

to experiment with the freedom of anonymity

; or to encourage male readership.

Do artists use pen names?


It’s quite common for artists from all mediums to use pseudonyms

. However, there can be legal repercussions. Before signing off with a pen name, you should carefully consider why you may use it, how to protect your real identity, and the risks involved.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.