What’s in a Name: A Word on Pen Names

Whenever I imagine my dream job as an author, I picture myself writing under a different name—a pen name. It’s been this way since I was twelve years old, scribbling furiously in the pages of my notebook. Over the years, my reasons why and the names I’ve invented have changed, but one thing stays the same: the concept of pen names continues to fascinate me.

Hundreds of writers have used pen names throughout history. Some of the most famous names in the Western literary canon, such as Lewis Caroll, George Orwell, and Toni Morrison, are also pen names. Today, the opportunity to publish under a different name has become even easier thanks to the rise of self-publishing and Amazon.

So, why do writers use pen names, and how do you go about creating one? What about copyright and legal issues? With these questions in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the most important things you need to know about pen names. We’ll start with the obvious.

What is a pen name?

A pen name is a type of pseudonym (false name) that a writer uses in place of their real name. Pen names can also be referred to as nom de plumes—the French word for pen name.

Why use a pen name?

There are many reasons why writers use pen names. Some of the most common are:

Branding: Writers established in one genre may use a pen name when publishing in another genre. For example, Nora Roberts writes futuristic suspense under the name J.D. Robb. Writers may also adopt a pen name if they have a super common name, such as John Smith, or if they have a similar name to another author.

Discrimination: Writers may use a pen name to counter biases and discrimination. The Brontë sisters assumed androgynous names to avoid sexism in 19th century England. Polish-British novelist Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski used the name Joseph Conrad because his real name was deemed too hard to pronounce for his English-speaking audience.

Privacy: Writers may also use a pen name to protect their personal identity. This often happens when the subject matter is political or controversial. For instance, the Federalist Papers were published under the pen name Publius, and Fifty Shades of Grey was published under the pen name E.L. James. Other writers simply wish to separate their writer persona from their personal life.

So you want to use a pen name; now what?

If the idea of writing under a different name appeals to you, welcome to the club! But before you start crafting a new name and exercising it in the literary world, here are a few things to consider:

Have you done your research? Pen names take time and research. You want your name to fit in with your chosen genre, so do some research on author names in that genre. At the same time, make sure your name isn’t too similar to other authors’ names—otherwise you might find yourself in a Jennifer Armintrout/Jennifer L. Armentrout situation.

Is your pen name ethical? In 2015, Michael Derrick Hudson, a White man, got published in The Best American Poetry Anthology under the pen name Yi-Fen Chou. His decision to assume a Chinese name sparked outrage among the Asian American community, with many considering it appropriation. Avoid wading into such controversy by choosing a pen name that is appropriate and respectful.

Know your legal options. Pen names are perfectly legal, but you cannot copyright your pen name. You can, however, register your work under your pen name—just be careful when you’re signing contracts. If you’d like to receive payment under your pen name, you might need to file a “Doing Business As” (DBA) form or Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement. 

Since I was twelve, pen names have allowed me to create multiple personas and distinguish between my personal life and writer persona. Yet, I’ve come to understand that while pen names have much to offer they also require research and responsibility. So, would you ever consider using a pen name? Why or why not?