In publishing a book, do you put your real name or a fake pen name?
By diannelee89
@diannelee89 (52)
Philippines
July 8, 2012 9:42pm CST
Okay, so I am not yet finished my writing; however, I am already thinking about what name I should be using as the author name. I have spoken to my friends about this, and they've advised me (half jokingly) to use a fake pen name to spare me the embarrassment in case my book does not sell or someone writes a bad critique about it because no one would know who really wrote it.
I have read some bad reviews from online bookstores about books, and it has sort of given me the cold feet in using my real name. Not only the readers would criticize the book, they'd also insult and make fun of the author. I have read a few comments that said, "Hey, I know this author." Like, my!
What do you think?
2 people like this
5 responses
@PageTurner (2825)
• United States
9 Jul 12
Hello diannelee89
If you manage to publish a book, you will have done more than most people are able to do in this regard. So what if they don't like it. If they can do better, challenge them to write their own book. Be proud of your creation and use your own name.
Peace
@vidhyaprakash_2 (7116)
• India
18 Feb 13
Hi friend, welcome to mylot. Always i am using my real name for my online work. I wrote 3 ebooks and published them with my own name, i am not interested in using a fake name, there is nothing wrong in using our real name and identity for our own work. Use your real name
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
9 Jul 12
Hmm you can be creative and use a pen name.. but using your own names has more impact dianne, and if people will criticize it, who cares? it is you who was able to accomplish something as books are hard to write!
@crimsonladybug (3112)
• United States
9 Jul 12
I use a variation of my own name. My first initial and full middle and last names. It's totally an aesthetic thing for me. I like the way it looks printed that way better 
I think a pen name is a good idea if you want to separate two different styles of writing. Like Nora Roberts is well known for romance novels so she writes her suspense novels under the name J.D. Robb. This was done, originally, because she was writing faster than her publisher could release her work but it became a way to distinguish the style of books by each "author."
Otherwise, I see no issues with using your own name or a variation if you prefer.
I think a pen name is a good idea if you want to separate two different styles of writing. Like Nora Roberts is well known for romance novels so she writes her suspense novels under the name J.D. Robb. This was done, originally, because she was writing faster than her publisher could release her work but it became a way to distinguish the style of books by each "author."
Otherwise, I see no issues with using your own name or a variation if you prefer.
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
9 Jul 12
It really depends on you. If you feel that your book is really that good, using your real name or a pen name does not really matter for fans will find out the truth eventually. It also depends on what kind of book are you writing. Is it a story? fiction, your experiences in life, advices?
