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Richard Bachman, Lewis Carroll, Mark Twain, Trevanian, George Sand- what do all these authors have in common? They are all pen names created by best-selling or critically acclaimed authors. Few people have ever heard of Charles Dodgson's scholarly works on such arcane topics as croquet, but almost everyone has enjoyed Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Indeed, few viewers suspected that the science fiction writer behind the movie "The Running Man" was actually horror master Stephan King using a pseudonym. Pen names have been used throughout the ages by authors who either seek anonymity or a more 'marketable' presence. So should you as a beginning writer consider doing the same? Only you can decide if a pseudonym is the proper route to go with your first publications, but here are some pros and cons to adopting a pen name you should consider first.
PRO: Pseudonyms can increase an author's overall marketability. If you write action/adventure novels, you may want to adopt a name that is more suited to the genre. "Rivers of Blood" by 'Tank McThunder' may appeal more to the readers than "Rivers of Blood" by Murray Fishbinder. Not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with the Fishbinder name, but in a promotional sense you need to hook your readers from the beginning. Other pseudonyms may take on even more significance, such as "Trevanian" or "Phaedrus". As a marketing tool, a good pseudonym can boost sales and create enough positive buzz to give your 'name' some strong selling power.
CON: A poorly chosen pseudonym can hurt your chances of acceptance. As a beginning writer, you have very little leverage with publishers as it is, so you may not want to muddy the waters further by using a pretentious or gimmicky pen name. Insisting on a blatantly obvious pseudonym may make you a one or two hit wonder, but won't give you staying power. If your own name is reasonably marketable and your work is meant to be taken seriously, you should not resort to a meaningless pen name. Later in your career you may feel the need to use a pen name for works outside your established genre, but you need a name and reputation first.
PRO: Pseudonyms can make artistic statements for the author. Sometimes a writer takes on a subject that is highly controversial or threatens to expose secrets. Rather than remain anonymous or risk personal injury as the named author, you may want to use a pen name for protection. The pen name you choose may reflect some element of the controversy, or establish your credibility as an expert on the subject. "Secrets of the Emergency Room" by 'Dr. Dread' may sound like a gimmick, but it does establish that the author is a doctor and that his or her information may jeopardize careers. In a different vein, you may choose a pseudonym based on a character you enjoy from literature or history. A well-chosen pseudonym can add an air of mystery or intrigue.
CON: Pseudonyms can create 'identities' from which there is no escape. In the same way that an actor may be linked forever with a popular character, an author may be linked forever with the character created by a pseudonym. Some authors may create elaborate backstories to give dimension to their alter ego pseudonyms. In essence, the pseudonym's fantasy personality may overwhelm the actual writer's persona. Many authors who use pseudonyms discover that they must keep using that pseudonym long past its usefulness. Efforts to publish works under their real names may be met with rejection or reluctance. If you are comfortable with the idea of perpetuating a character that writes your books, then a pseudonym can work. If you are concerned that a gimmicky pen name will take away your future credibility, then don't use one.
PRO: Pseudonyms can offer an author some protection in the business side of publishing. Many beginning writers dream of the day when a major publishing house accepts their first novel or signs them to a multi-book deal. But the reality is that writers still must work for a living, even if their first book is accepted. Sometimes a publishing contract limits a writer to the number of outside projects he or she can do under their name. Pseudonyms may provide a way that freelance writers can continue to work while under contract. If you honestly believe that you may need to work under these conditions, then use a pseudonym for any work not covered by the contract with the publisher.
CON: Using a pseudonym to deceive publishers or the audience can come back to haunt you. If you know that you are using a pen name to circumvent the terms of a legitimate contract, the penalties can be stiff. Even if the publisher does not make the connection, your audience might. Using a pen name for deceptive purposes makes you look thoroughly unprofessional. If you have some legitimate concerns about your contract, work out
a reasonable compromise with your publisher. You may be able to continue working under your own name without penalty. By unilaterally deciding to use a false name to get around the process, you run the risk of breeching your contract and facing civil court action. Pseudonyms are not illegal in themselves- it is the improper use of pseudonyms that could be actionable.
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