Should You Use a Pseudonym for Your Writing?

Last Updated on May 28, 2023 by Nathaniel Tower

Imagine you are a writer who has just written a book. You think it’s amazing, and you’re sure it’s going to be a bestseller. There’s just one problem: you’re afraid to publish it under your real name. Maybe you’re worried about how your family or friends will react, or perhaps you fear it will negatively impact your career. Whatever the reason, you decide to use a pseudonym to publish your book.

I’ve published over 200 short stories and several novels under my real name, but I’ve also used a pseudonym a handful of times. When I was a high school teacher, there were a few rather unsavory stories I wrote that I did not want to impact my reputation as a wholesome educator (in other words, I didn’t want to be fired for writing some pretty inappropriate stuff).

I’ve also published a few rather interesting short works on Amazon under a pen name. I won’t tell you anything about them. You’ll have to try to figure them out. Good luck.

What is a pseudonym?

A pseudonym is a fictitious name used by a person, particularly a writer, as a pen name. It’s also referred to as a nom de plume, a pen name, or a stage name.

The term pseudonym comes from the Greek word pseudonumos, which means “false name.” Pseudonyms have been used by writers for centuries, and they continue to be used today for a variety of reasons.

Examples of famous pseudonyms

Many famous writers have written under pseudonyms over the course of the history of the written word. Here are four examples you might be familiar with:

George Eliot George Eliot was the pen name used by Mary Ann Evans, a renowned Victorian novelist. She chose to use a male pen name to ensure her works were taken seriously, as female authors were often dismissed during this time. Under the name George Eliot, she wrote some of the most significant works of English literature, including Middlemarch and The Mill on the Floss.

Mark Twain Mark Twain was the pen name used by Samuel Langhorne Clemens, an American author and humorist. He chose the name because it was a term used by riverboat pilots to indicate a safe depth of water. Under the name Mark Twain, he wrote many famous novels and short stories, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

J.K. Rowling J.K. Rowling is a contemporary author best known for writing the Harry Potter series. When she first started writing the series, she was advised to use a gender-neutral pen name, as the publisher was unsure whether young boys would be interested in a book written by a female author. She chose the name J.K. Rowling, using her initials instead of her full name, Joanne Rowling.

Agatha Christie Agatha Christie was a British author known for her detective novels, such as Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. She wrote under the pen names Mary Westmacott and Agatha Christie Mallowan. The former was used for her non-detective novels, while the latter included her married name and was used for books that involved her archaeological experiences with her husband, Max Mallowan.

And, my personal favorite, is Chuck Tingle, the master of really weird erotica. I won’t share any more in this post. Just look up his (or maybe her) work. It’s batshit crazy!

5 reasons to use a pseudonym

There are a variety of reasons why you might want to write under a pseudonym. Here are a few of the most common reasons:

To protect your privacy

Privacy is a big concern for many writers, especially those who write about controversial topics. Using a pseudonym can help protect your privacy and allow you to write without fear of retribution. This is particularly important for writers who are in professions that could be jeopardized if their true identity was revealed. We’ll talk more about this in a bit.

To write in different genres

Some writers choose to use a pseudonym when writing in different genres. For example, if an author is known for writing historical fiction, but decides to write a romance novel, they might use a different name to avoid confusing their readers. This allows them to build a brand for each genre they write in, without risking any confusion among their readers.

To avoid discrimination

Unfortunately, there are still many prejudices in our society, and some writers may face discrimination based on their gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Using a pseudonym can help them avoid this discrimination and allow them to be judged solely on their writing.

To escape a negative reputation

If a writer has had a negative reputation in the past, they may choose to use a pseudonym when publishing their new work. This allows them to distance themselves from their past and start fresh with a clean slate. It also allows readers to judge their work without any preconceived notions based on their previous reputation.

To avoid legal issues

In some cases, using a pseudonym can help writers avoid legal issues. For example, if a writer is writing about a controversial topic or is critical of a particular person or organization, they may choose to use a pseudonym to avoid being sued for libel.

However, this doesn’t offer you full protection. If someone finds out that you wrote something libelous, they can still sue you even if you used a pseudonym.

How to protect your professional career with a fake writer name

Using a pseudonym in your writing can help protect your job outside of writing, especially if you are a teacher or other professional. In some professions, there are strict codes of conduct that require employees to maintain a certain level of professionalism at all times. If you write something that is considered controversial or inappropriate, it could reflect poorly on your employer and lead to disciplinary action or even termination.

By using a pseudonym, you can keep your writing life separate from your professional life and avoid any potential conflicts of interest. This allows you to freely express your thoughts and ideas without fear of repercussions from your employer. Additionally, using a pseudonym can also protect your personal privacy and safety, as it allows you to maintain anonymity and avoid unwanted attention or harassment.

If you have a career in any of these professions, you may want to use a pen name to protect your career:

• Teacher
• Doctor
• Lawyer
• Politician
• Therapist
• Counselor
• Any high-profile career where you make a lot of money or might be under a lot of scrutiny

Of course, whether or not you use a pen name depends a lot on what you are writing about.

Are there legal issues with using a pseudonym

A pseudonym does not offer you full protection against any legal issues. Just because you are writing under a fake name does not mean you can write whatever you want about anyone you want. You still need to make sure you are writing within the law. This means you shouldn’t plagiarize, use hate speech, or make false accusations against people while you are writing under a pseudonym.

The best guidance for using a pseudonym is this: if you don’t want what you are writing to come back to you, then don’t write it. You should always assume that people will eventually find out it was you who wrote it.

Final thoughts on using a pseudonym

In conclusion, there are many reasons why writers might choose to use a pseudonym. Whether it’s to protect their privacy, write in different genres, avoid discrimination, escape a negative reputation, or avoid legal issues, using a fake name can provide writers with the freedom they need to write what they want without fear of repercussions. While some writers may choose to publish under their real name, using a pseudonym can be a valuable tool for those who want to maintain their privacy or separate their writing from their personal life.

Ultimately, the decision to use a pseudonym is a personal one and should be made based on the individual writer’s needs and goals.

Have you ever written using a pseudonym? Share about your experiences in the comments.