An authors real name might not fit his or her genre, or it may be a very difficult name. A pen name is a false name which a writer or author uses. Helen sedwick author of the selfpublishers legal handbook. Some self published authors use their name as the publisher to underscore their indie author status. It could be for marketing purposes or it could just be for their own comfort. Keep in mind it is never okay to create a pen name. Before deciding to use a pen name, consult a lawyer for assistance in avoiding these issues. Because many writers choose to self publish through the internet, social media and ebooks, it could be argued that using a pen name when self publishing is outdated. And authors can always selfpublish books between big releases. Can a self publishing author use a pen namepseudonym. How to create a pen name in kindle direct publishing kdp.
I am planning to self publish my first book under my pen name. I write through a self publishing site and would like to use a. But regardless of why one chooses to use a pseudonym, creating a pen name can play an important part in your books marketing. If theres another author with that pen name already, you may want to find a new pen name. New books are always created on the system using your full name. They claim an imprint name misleads readers into assuming the book has been vetted by the traditional publishing process. You will have to contact their support and spend hours trying to convince them. Finally, some writers like pen names that use the letters of a word, sentence, phrase, or name to create a pen name with hidden meaning. Pros and cons of pen names in self publishing and otherwise. Im not an attorney, but as i understand it, pseudonyms are not a problem in the publishing business.
Amazon will then pop up a box that says that you are not listed. Isbns are issued to publishers through a company called bowker. Why authors need to get a po box jera publishing selfpub. But most of the reasons for using a pen name dont matter much anymore. So in this video i go through everything that you need to know in order to find the best pen name for your books. Can i selfpublish ebooks on amazon under a pseudonym. Yes, selfpublishers apply for isbns, just like any other publisher. Your imprint name should imply some promise about your books, such as romance passion press, adventure kickass books, travel rickshaw riders. Bobbie christmas, book doctor, author of write in style union square publishing, and owner of zebra communications, will answer your questions, too.
Why you dont want to use a pen name the self publishing. With the rise of selfpublishing, many authors are confused about how to approach the idea of a pseudonym for their work, and if its a good idea or not. However, others often require you to open a separate. You could use your personal name, such as helen sedwick publications, which doesnt say much. When you sign up they will require you to put your legal name and information for payment purposes. Your real name will not show up on any of your books, your pen name. How do i go about using a pen name with this self publishing site that i use. Having a pen name does hurt or help in terms of getting a publisher to take you seriously. The authors real name is likely known to the publisher but not to the public. Publishing under an imprint name makes it less obvious that your book is selfpublished. Therefore, an author publishing under a pen name must make sure the links to achieve anonymity are strong. If youre self publishing, you should know that the publisher is you not kdp or ingramspark, for example. Below is a simple yet thorough guide to publishing via ingramspark.
Working with amazon author pen names publishing with kindle. Go to the books tab and then click on the add more books button. Nov 03, 2019 should self publishing authors use pen names, or real names, and how to pick a pseudonym. How to choose a pen name book marketing for selfpublishing. One instance that you should not consider using a pen name or pseudonym is if you are writing non. I know that an author can use a pen name pseudonym instead of a true name when publishing the traditional way. May 06, 2019 alright, if youve decided that ingramspark is the selfpublishing platform you want to put a ring on, your next move will be, well, doing just that.
I am a pastor, looking to self publish using a pen name because of the content of my experiences and writings nonreligious, which are shameful. Should you use a pen name to write your nonfiction book. Apple has draconian rules and are still operating on the 16th century. Seek legal counsel if you have questions or concerns about using a pen name for your selfpublished projects. 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. However, if the author with your ideal pen name exists but has not published many books recently or hasnt sold many books, you may want to just use that pen name anyway. The only thing that can help with that is good writing. Very common in the publishing industry pen name also known as a pseudo name, its basically a madeup name. How to research a name for your selfpublishing imprint. Supposing my name is kate evans and i write keepfit books. An authors real name might not fit his or her genre, or it may be a very difficult name for readers to spell, let alone remember. If you are publishing with kindle direct publishing kdp, using a pen name on amazon is very easy.
During the publishing process, kdp tries to match book details like title and author name to other editions available in the amazon catalog. Aug, 2015 in this video stefan answers a question he commonly gets such as if one can publish a kindle book under a pen name. So yeah, using the pen name when self publishing is extremely easy not on the ibooksstore. This is very common especially amongst the fiction market, fiction authors. Feb 21, 2018 the us postal service will not let you add a pen name to your legal name on your po box.
Ironclad book copyright page examples that will protect you. When you decide that you want to start selfpublishing, there are plenty of things to consider. May 03, 2018 if youre selfpublishing, you should know that the publisher is you not kdp or ingramspark, for example. A publishing imprint is the trade name by which a publishing company releases its books. Search for the book that youve written under your pen name. Others prefer to use an imprint owned and created by them to add credibility and weight in the marketplace. I am about to self publish my first novel using a pen name. Form an anonymous llc its best to form an anonymous llc and name such company with the pen name you wish to use, using. To pseudonym or not for selfpublishing authors self. Aug 15, 2019 theres a lot to be said for creating a pen name thats unique and memorable, like lemony snicket, dr.
If you are publishing with kindle, kdp makes it very. Indie authors sometimes selfpublish under a pen name or pseudonym in order to protect their identity, avoid overexposure, or create a better association between their name and their work. Sometimes famous people will use a pen name because they do not want the book to be associated with what they do, or they might not want to use. How would this work if the author plans to publish him or herself. Its a name that a writer assumes professionally, instead of publishing under their legal name.
My question is, on the first page of the novel where you put all the publishing info, should i say that the novel is of my pen name. Very common in the publishing industry pen name also known as a pseudo name, it. If you have a really long name, or its hard to pronounce those could be good reasons to use a pen name. Pen names are easy to come about if youre in a zone, and not worrying about using the authors real name. Your real name will not show up on any of your books, your pen name wont show up on any f. The selfpublishers guide to the copyright page with. This can work very well for nonfiction writers, in particular, but also genre fiction writers. Self publishers legal handbook is absolutely required reading for authors who want to publish their own work. An imprint is a trade name you create for your selfpublishing business and is listed online and at the front of your book as the publisher. Most actors change their name for all sorts of reasons. In order to use a pen name, stage name, pseudonym, alias, etc. I found a small chain of shipping, copying and mailbox stores that lets me use my legal name and also my pen name, so i can receive mail both ways.
In this case, your publisher may suggest a pen name to help boost sales of your. My selfpublishing experience, i mention that authors should think of their books as a product. Because many writers choose to selfpublish through the internet, social media and ebooks, it could be argued that using a pen name when selfpublishing. Most publishing platforms make it easy for you to change your author name or to add a new author name to your publishing account. Seven steps to your own selfpublishing imprint sidebar. If you think youll be publishing more books or more versions of your book down the road, id recommend buying a set of 10 isbns as a package right away. The experts at selfpublishing relief are not attorneys. The most common selfpublishing mistakes to avoid jane.
Because many writers choose to selfpublish through the internet, social media and ebooks, it could be argued that using a pen name when. A pen name is a name an author uses in place of their real name when publishing. How to publish anonymously under a pen name law 4 small. This is where you can enter in the author name, narrator, editor, publishing company or whatever you choose. Some bloggers are upinarms about selfpublishing writers using imprint names. This is done by signing contracts with the publisheragent using the real name corresponding to the pen name.
Sep 20, 2012 using a pen name as a marketing tool on amazon is about putting a clue to your work into your name. Linking these formats provides the ideal browsing experience for customers, so youll want to make sure the title and author name. How to change your author name to a pen name when self publishing. For selfpublished books on amazon written by authors. Simply provide the url to your website and give readers another method of contacting you. Selfpublishers legal handbook is absolutely required reading for authors who want to publish their own work. As for the address, if you dont want to make it public, thats perfectly fine.
Using a pen name is pretty straightforward and easy. It should be on every selfpublishers deskhighly recommended. It is associated with a published book, while the real identity of the author remains a secret. At selfpublishing relief, we are often asked this question, so weve put together a list of our faqs about using pen names for selfpublished. Famous authors will often use a pen name when writing in another genre than that which they are known for. Is it wise for an unpublished writer to start building a platform under a pen name. Purchase the rights when using a pen name for selfpublishing. New books are always created on the system using your full name, what is pretty much irritating.
For selfpublished books on amazon written by authors using. Jan 12, 2014 sometimes famous people will use a pen name because they do not want the book to be associated with what they do, or they might not want to use their fame to sell the book. Because many writers choose to selfpublish through the internet, social media and ebooks, it could be argued that using a pen name when selfpublishing is outdated. Pen names or pseudonames are very common amongst authors and publishers. Since ive started selfpublishing myself, ive often wondered whether i should use a pen name or at what point i would consider using a pen name. Of course, consider that this may defeat the purpose of using a pen name in the first place. If the topics you write about have the potential to jeopardize your job, your social standing, or the safety of your immediate family or yourself, creating a pen name could be your only choice if you wish to be published. You will need to sign your legal name to our terms and conditions, your credit card payment, and your isbn registration or any other legal document, but otherwise you can use your pen name. To overcome this sales stigma, an author might bury his name or pen name and give birth to a new pseudonym, hoping for a second chance with publishers and readers. All that said, heres the three reasons why almost all nonfiction authors should not use a pen name. Adding a book to your amazon author central account.
You can also revise the project after you publish your work and change the author name. Books are linked automatically if the author name and book title of both formats ebook and paperback match exactly. Copyright office, a created under a pseudonym is perfectly legal. However, others often require you to open a separate account.
Finally, you may choose to use a pen name because you want a cooler or more marketable name. Using a penname as a marketing tool on amazon is about putting a clue to your work into your name. Rowling has written and published books under the pen name robert galbraith. Rowling, for example, decided against using her first name joanne because she thought boys might be less inclined to read a fantasy book by a woman. Can a self publishing author use a pen name pseudonym.
Jun 19, 2008 kasha, whether or not you use a pen name, you should always interact with publishing industry professionals like literary agents and editors using your real name. By definition, a pen name it is not considered ones legal name. When you are an unknown author, using a pen name will only mask your identity. Self publishing 101 when to use a pen name 1 comments by lise cartwright since ive started self publishing myself, ive often wondered whether i should use a pen name or at what point i would consider using a pen name. An imprint name is commonly known as a dba, short for doing business as. My particular choice jimmy nuzz came about by writing, but didnt want to use my formal name. How to create a copyright page in 5 minutes with template. Why do authors use pseudonyms surprising authors behind famous pen names key criteria to come up with the.
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. I write through a self publishing site and would like to use a pseudonym pen name to keep it separate from my other work and to keep my identity private others knowing im the one writing these books. Oct 14, 2016 how to research a name for your self publishing imprint october 14, 2016 by david wogahn 4 comments one of the most important and earliest decisions you will make as a self publisher is to choose the name of your self publishing imprint, or publishing company. Read more ask the book doctor questions and answers at this article is reposted from the selfpublishing advisor archives. Every time you publish a book, youre putting your name out into the world people will look for you on amazon and other bookselling sites, theyll look on social media sites, and theyll look for an author website. Jun 20, 2018 but if you have good reason to selfpublish your books and novels under a pseudonym, weigh the pros and cons carefullyand enjoy choosing your new name. Why you dont want to use a pen name the self publishing expert.
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