What Authors Use Pen Names?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Mark Twain (real name Samuel Clemens): ...
  • Dr. ...
  • George Orwell (real name Eric Arthur Blair): ...
  • Lemony Snicket (real name Daniel Handler): ...
  • Stan Lee (real name Stanley Martin Lieber): ...
  • Richard Bachman (real name Stephen King):

What famous authors used pen names?

  • Real name: Charlotte Brontë Pen name: Currer Bell. ...
  • Real name: Stephen King Pen name: Richard Bachman. ...
  • Real name: C. S. ...
  • Real name: Agatha Christie Pen name: Mary Westmacott. ...
  • Real name: Washington Irving Pen name (s): Jonathan Oldstyle, Diedrich Knickerbocker and Geoffrey Crayon.

Do authors use pen names?

Some of the most well-known, famous authors have used a pen name to conceal their identities. ... As a general rule, most authors should publish under their legal, given name . If an author has written an exposé and must remain anonymous for professional reasons, a pen name is quite understandable.

Do modern authors use pen names?

Yes, Lots of Writers Have used Pen Names

I know I did. It was exciting to fantasize about having a literary persona separate from my boring old self. Early in my career, I submitted some stories under the name Anna Rogers, (Rogers is my middle name.)

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.

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.

What are the best pen names?

  • Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson)
  • Richard Bachman (Stephen King)
  • George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair)
  • Joseph Conrad (Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski)

How do I choose a pen name?

  1. Identify the right age for your pseudonym.
  2. Choose options that fit your literary genre.
  3. Check the availability of your pen name’s URL and social media handles.
  4. Choose a name that’s easy to spell, pronounce, and remember.
  5. Make sure your pen name isn’t similar or identical to another author’s.

Can I have two pen names?

It isn’ t TERRIBLE to have multiple pen names (more on that below), but if you can keep things easy, DO. If you’re writing books that are related or might have a larger crossover audience, then don’t do a pen name. An example might be writing clean romance and clean romantic suspense.

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.

Why do authors use fake names?

Today, many writers may use pen names to disguise their true identity for their day jobs , not wanting their bosses or colleagues to know that they write a particular genre and be subject to scrutiny or embarrassment. It may be unsettling for some to find out their surgeon is a prolific writer of murder-thriller novels.

Can I use real names in my book?

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 .

What is an author’s fake name called?

A pseudonym is a fictitious name taken by a writer in place of their real name. The term “pseudonym” is a Greek word that literally means “false name.”

How do you legally create a pen name?

  1. Research the name. Search the internet and bookselling sites. ...
  2. Buy available domain names. You will want to buy a website domain for your pen name.
  3. Claim the name. ...
  4. Use the name. ...
  5. Be open with your publisher. ...
  6. Register your copyright.
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.