Writing a book under a different name

On the flip side, though, taking a pen name for the wrong reasons could hurt you if you dont think carefully and strategically about why youre publishing under a different name. If youre considering using a pen name when selfpublishing a book, youll want to. How to change your author name to a pen name when selfpublishing. Jun 19, 2008 no matter what name you publish under if you are paid legitimately for your work, the irs will have to get your real name from the tax forms you fill out with amazon or any other book seller. The book was accepted, but before it was even published, her cover was blown, leaving her. Many authors write under various pseudonyms so you may well be waiting in anticipation for the next book to come out thinking you have read everything by a sensational author when in fact there are other books sitting on the shelf you could get right now.

But what if that name isnt the one you were born with. Nov 28, 20 trade publishers are notoriously wary of using the same author name across different genres, or of using a name that they feel is inappropriate for a particular book hence the morphing of joanne rowling into the more masculine j k rowling, even though she doesnt have a middle name. Aug 15, 2019 if you write in multiple genres with little overlap fiction vs. I am writing a memoir and going over some legal issues while in the process. It was published in 2007 under the bachman pseudonym, with a foreword by king under his own name. A book can also be published by more than one publisher at the same time, generally for different countries. Return to the business of writing printmobilefriendly version. Blaze was, in fact, an unpublished novel of kings written before carrie or the creation of richard bachman. Authors reveal the different reasons they have adopted alternative literary.

Apr 21, 2017 writing and publishing in two genres under her real name as well as a pen name has been a learning experience for dalton. A writer with an audience in romance will choose a different pen name for a dark, dystopian fantasy. Established authors will do it to cross genres and keep from aggravating their fan bases. Authors reveal the different reasons they have adopted alternative. Writing under a pen name makes me feel a little more free. Working with amazon author pen names publishing with kindle. Their decision to write and become an author under a pen name. To accomplish this you will need to locate the book published under the pen name on amazon and link it to your author central account. Many writers are prolific across different genres but to keep fans from being confused, authors use separate names, so readers know what they are getting. Why i write under a pen name the writing cooperative.

Many authors write under various pseudonyms so you may well be waiting in anticipation for the next book to come out thinking you have read everything by a sensational author when in fact there are. A pseudonym is distinct from an allonym, which is the real name of another person, assumed by the author of a work of art. This is a common question that i get, with a fairly simple answer. Writing under different names justine larbalestier. Sep 26, 2014 but i got to thinking recently and wondered. King may choose to publish under a different name so he doesnt. Im sure she would be furious if i wrote them, but would it be illegal. This prolific author faced the same problem as stephen king when he was told that writing more than one book a year, especially in different genres, was a bad idea.

Van siller was the writing name of hilda van siller 191182. Often, writing under a pseudonym is as easy as putting the phrase writing as on your manuscript. Probably the only threat to a pseudonymous author is if they become too popular, or are already famous under another name. When you publish under a pseudonym, you just use a different author name in the specific field on the publishing platforms. Writers have adopted pseudonyms or pen names to disguise themselves for a number of reasons. For example, the romance writer nora roberts writes mystery novels under the name j. So how do you know if you should use a pen name or not. If you are publishing with kindle direct publishing kdp, using a pen name on amazon is. To differentiate brands and write in different genres. Sep, 2018 when you buy a house, that is public record, and all someone needs is your name to find it.

Perhaps you think your real name doesnt sound cool enough, or your name sounds inconsistent with the type. The answer is yes, you can publish a kindle book under a pen name. Its a name that a writer assumes professionally, instead of publishing. A pseudonym or alias is a name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which. As a writer, you naturally want to make a name for yourself. Under some circumstances, having a rotten name can be reason enough to use a pseudonym.

Actors and artists often use fictitious names, and writers sometimes choose to create under a different persona as well. Mar 29, 2019 writers have adopted pseudonyms or pen names to disguise themselves for a number of reasons. What is it called when someone writes a book and publishes under a different name. The book, about a war veteran turned private investigator called cormoran strike, and described by. She dropped her first name when she started out, presumably thinking that the type of books she was writing would attract more attention if. Authors who write under such house names are usually creating worksforhire i. Whats it called when a writer writes under another name. After harry potter, anything with jk rowling on it will be a huge bestseller just from the number of fans she has. At this stage you are linking the pen name to the book. When youve made a name for yourself in one genre, its hard to cross over. Apr 29, 2008 12 thoughts on why do authors use pseudonyms. Writers use pseudonyms for a variety of reasons, and many successful. If youve been published frequently under another name, make reference to. Trade publishers are notoriously wary of using the same author name across different genres, or of using a name that they feel is inappropriate for a particular book hence the morphing of.

On the flip side, though, taking a pen name for the wrong. Can a self publishing author use a pen namepseudonym. There are ways to get shell companies to buy property for you, or rent, or put a house in someone elses name, but for me, a pen name was easier. In another instance, stephen king wrote a few books early in his career under the name of richard bachman. Mar 29, 2019 how to register and legally use a pen name. Even if they love the book, they wont share it or comment on it, because its just a book, and they cant forge a relationship with a book. Using different author names or a pseudonym as a writer. Can a book be published by more than one publisher. For its publication king rewrote, edited, and updated the entire novel. If youd like to write or publish something under a different name, there are.

The secrets of writing in multiple genres publishers weekly. We manage the submission process for writers of books, stories. Nora, theres pepsi, diet pepsi, caffeine free pepsi. I know that an author can use a pen name pseudonym instead of a true name when publishing the traditional way. Authors write under pseudonyms, or pen names, for a variety of. Whenever fiction writers ask for my advice about pseudonyms, theyre usually wondering. This is an excerpt from how to market a book third edition, available now in ebook, print and audiobook formats 1. Paranormal romance enthusiasts may decide not to pick up your book because they associate you with historical fiction. Undeterred he adopted at least ten different pen names and went on to publish up to eight books a year during the 1970s.

There are ways to get shell companies to buy property for you, or rent, or put a house in someone. This is done by signing contracts with the publisheragent using the real name corresp. Your historical fiction readers might think your paranormal romances are weird. The book, about a war veteran turned private investigator called cormoran strike, and. Helen sedwick, a writer for the book designer, cleared up all of my questions in her article should you be using a pen name. How to register and legally use a pen name with pictures. In your kindle direct publishing account, when you publish a new book, itll ask you to.

Some initially chose a name so they could carry on their normal lives without the bother of. It can help teach the kids how to say the different writing tools in english and they can practice writing their names. Lee published their mystery novels and stories under the pen name ellery queen, as well as publishing the work of ghostwriters under the same name. It also helps to avoid muddying up your also boughts on amazon with the wrong books because of author name overlap. If people never actually see the author who wrote the book, then there is no connection.

Working with amazon author pen names kindle published. I ahve changed every name in my book except my own, but i have also wrote. Im puzzled about all of this, i dont know how it is suppose to work. You can actually publish a kindle book under whatever name you want.

A pen name can serve you well, it can be a great tool to give you more control over your professional options in the publishing world. In this case, the pseudonym is generally a trademark. I know that one name for it is a pen name but there is another one that is a special word for it. The first novel, greeted with surprise by friends who presumed it. Jk rowling is right a pen name is a writers best friend telegraph. Authors write under pseudonyms, or pen names, for a variety of reasons. This is a good worksheet that utilizes different writing tools. According to king, a bachman turner overdrive record was playing and a richard stark novel was on. Joanna talked about her decision to write under two names last year when she chatted with the write practice team.

Set up separate kdp accounts and bank accounts for payout, one for the real name and the other for the pen name is that illegal. All you need to do is add your new name as the authors name in the contributors section when you are preparing the book for publication. Many writers choose to use a pen name for many reasons, including to protect their identity when writing a memoir or to write in different genres. If you write in multiple genres with little overlap fiction vs. It has been pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name, said ms.

Where there are substantial parts of the book that are nontext, colour prints, for example. Like when steven king wrote the girl who loved tom gorden he wrote it under another name. If i publish with kindle direct under a pen name, is there. Sep 22, 2014 a pen name can serve you well, it can be a great tool to give you more control over your professional options in the publishing world. Her first novel appeared in 1943 and there was an espionage element in some of her early books. I didnt want to write straight relationship or straight romantic suspense under a different name. Author cj lyons uses a pseudonym because when she started writing thriller novels she was also a pediatrician, and didnt want her patients knowing about her alter ego. When you buy a house, that is public record, and all someone needs is your name to find it. Jk rowling publishes crime novel under false name books. I first and foremost read as many psychological thriller books as i.

I want to know what the professional name is for when a writer does this. In fact, its far more difficult to name yourself than to name a character when youre writing novels. Why do some authors write books under different aliases. When it was time for the book to go to press, king received a call asking about a pen name. Using different author names or a pseudonym as a writer the. Jun 29, 2007 i am writing a memoir and going over some legal issues while in the process. Writing and publishing in two genres under her real name as well as a pen name has been a learning experience for dalton. For articles, short stories, and poetry, you can simply put your real name in the upper left corner of your manuscript or on the cover page, and list your pen name as your byline beneath the title. Use a pen name to switch genres or professions joanna penn is a bestselling nonfiction writer. If you are publishing with kindle direct publishing kdp, using a pen name on amazon is very easy. She dropped her first name when she started out, presumably thinking that the type of books she was writing would attract more attention if readers thought the author was male. If i could go back in time and change one thing about my writing career it would be to sell how to ditch your fairy under a different name. The money gets deposited into your checking account under your real name.