fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #2716 ]

⌈ Secret Post #2716 ⌋

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Notes:

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Does anyone have experience publishing original fic (or other writing) under a pseudonym? I tried submitting some stories under a pseud recently because it reduced my submission anxiety by a lot and I feel less constrained about what I can publish that way.

The story was accepted and I realized I would have to tell the editor my real name in order to get mail, etc.. So I did, but it was really awkward -- I felt like there was a protocol that I didn't understand. Then the editor said she preferred to publish under people's real names. I felt embarrassed about the whole thing so I caved and said ok. But I would really rather have a pseudonym, I just don't know how to make it work and I feel like in this case I made things extra awkward for no reason. What's the etiquette of who you tell and how?

I need to be able to get mail and sometimes get paid. A separate email address I can manage, but. . . there's a ton of practical and etiquette stuff I just don't know what to do with. What do you recommend?

just one more reason why fanfic is easier, I guess. . .

I have no advice but I'm going through the same thing now. I thought the accepted thing was to do everything through your real name and then put a "written as [pen name]" somewhere though.

I'm getting close to submitting something so I'll see how that goes for myself soon.

I hope you figure something out.

Hey, congratulations on getting close! Every step forward is a good step.

Let me know if you find anything out through experience.

I read a few publishing blogs, and agents suggest you use your real name with a note that you'd rather be published under [pseudonym]. But most would prefer real names only.

Why, though? I'm not trying to be a douche, but what's the benefit to them of having that restriction -- do you know? Especially if they have my real name anyway. . . ?

Transparency, maybe? And because a pseud is by definition a new person, you'd have no built-in readership the way someone using their real name would.

I don't have a readership under any name!

:(

Usually friends and family count, people who read your Facebook or Twitter or whatever. Also, you'll be expected to do all your publicity under the name on the book cover, which could be difficult to juggle.

I don't have those things. I have no personal stuff on the internet under my legal name or connected to my "official" email address, for exactly the same reasons why I want a pseud.

I understand how it might make publicity trickier, but surely people do it all the time? I could happily pose as my own agent if that made things easier.

Sorry, not trying to be a whiner or argue with you. I just feel kind of weird about the idea that a pseudonym is a hindrance when for me, my legal name feels like a big hindrance.

I really don't know. Sorry. It certainly can't hurt to try. If an editor likes your work they won't throw you out because you want to write under a pseud. That would be a poor business choice.

To be honest I think it might just be easier legally? But I also read stuff about how it's not "necessary" anymore (because everybody, male, female, any age, etc. has an equal chance of getting published (lol)).

lol indeed :/

also not the issue for me at all.

It's a copyright thing. Specifically, copyright is longer for real names than it is for pseuds.

EDIT: At least, it is in the U.S..

Edited 2014-06-11 02:04 (UTC)

oh really? wow. that makes sense. so it does benefit publishers financially to pressure authors into using their legal names?

that's actually weirdly reassuring, thanks!

Np!

The editor may prefer you to publish under your real name, but she doesn't have the right to put pressure on you until you cave in. If you really would rather have a pseudonym, that's your preference and she should respect it.

There are a certain class of editors/writers who look down on people who use pseudonyms. I've met them before. It's ridiculous and snobbish, and plain bizarre, especially in cases like yours where as you say, you've no body of previous work to reference under your real name. But this prejudice does exist. That's all it is: prejudice.

If you feel that strongly about it, and you'd regret publishing under your real name, please stand firm.

thank you for this. honestly, your sympathy is such a relief to me right now.

I don't know why I never thought this through. I always thought my biggest problem would be choosing a pseudonym and after that it would be smooth sailing. I was not expecting resistance from editors at all and my anxiety has gone through the roof :/

what is the reason for the prejudice in your experience? like, why would people who look down on pseudonym use say is the reason? just curious.

I don't have any advice for you, but all the profic I've read that's been published under a pen name still has the author's legal name on the page that has the publication date and other such info on it.

eeesh. like in small print? I'll have to check for it in the future.

[ SECRET POST #2716 ]

Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?

Re: Advice on using a pseudonym (for original fiction)?