Pen Names

[sarillia]

How do you go about choosing a pen name? I don't know where to start.

I've been going back and forth for a long time about whether I would want to use a pseudonym if I ever actually got published. I finally decided yes because I don't need to worry about my bigoted brother seeing the shameful empathy towards things he disapproves of in my writing and judging me, even if I know that it's unlikely that they would google me and find out that I have a few stories that a handful of people have read. True story: his girlfriend once refused to lend me a book because she had discovered since buying it that it was "immoral" and said that she regretted lending me other such books in the past because she shouldn't be enabling me in poisoning my mind with such things.

Anyway, pen names. Do you have one? How did you choose it?

I kind of feel like I'm getting ahead of myself, but in my defense, I did write today.

Comments

[inkdust]

I've never considered a pseudonym and book signings as mutually exclusive. I sort of figure my real name will end up out there, associated with my pen name, but I'll be able to be referred to by my pen name for professional events and such. Maybe that's inaccurate and me trying to have it both ways, but my use of a pen name is more a matter of preference and professional persona (what alliteration!) than actually concealing my identity.

Ps, your PM is on my to-do list.

[splinteredstar]

Hm, interesting idea. I'd always considered it a matter of concealing identity, but I suppose it could work either way. Multiplicities of identity and that.

(It's fine! Considering how long I took to reply...Take your time!)