lin

"Pen name" or "nom du plume" are more commonly used to describe authors than "pseudonym", which is at any rate more generic.

There are many, many reasons why somebody would want to use a pen name.

Some famous pen names include: Adam Smith, Mark Twain, George Eliot, Saki, Boz, Lenin, Isak Denison, Lewis Carroll, Richard Bachman, Carolyn Keene, Zane Grey, Ellery Queen, Lemony Snickett, Pauline Réage.

Other than "Réage", who wrote "The Story of O" I think it's safe to assume NONE of the above were embarrassed by the content of their work.

The idea that somebody can write a book anybody will buy but not be able to come up with a name is a bit peculiar.

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Mike C

I usually write under my own name but have been published also as Eric Stoat and Kitten McCoy.

Don't ask.

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lin

Well, Hello, kitten.

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HarryG

I'm sure that experienced operators like Mike can safely use their own names, but I recently became aware just how dangerous the net actually is.


A relative approached me because she had had her identity stolen and was in all sorts of diabolical trouble because of it, not least financially. My computer knowledge is not that great so I approached a young cousin, who is still studying computer science at university, but can crack anything that's out there.


The trail my first relative had left via Facebook, Myspace, Ebay, Amazon, forums and chat rooms, etc, was terrifying, it revealed things about her she didn't even know herself.


Every single one of her life's details is out there, including her bank accounts and all those 'safe' passwords and log-in details. To try and clear those details is a mammoth task, for instance, the google cache cannot be totally cleared, it's impossible.


So you need to be careful, and if you're a high value individual, don't forget the dustbins.

BOURBON

Also...every famously successful author does well to remain an unknown beginner at heart. If you live in a world that's continuously patting you on the back you're inevitably going to lower your standards.

Jammy Dodger

LionofPerth

Well, I've got one or two methods for a pen name.

1. First a word, say, Rap, and then I try to find a name to fit each letter, say Rupert Allen Peterson.

2. Find an acronym, like, say, CMOS, then make, Charles Mitchell O'Sullivan, from it.

It works for me. Other times when I've been out and about, and decided to lie about my name, I always did the double name trick, you get two first names, like Robert, and Alan, and you make Alan Roberts, or Robert Allan from it.

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Damian_Rucci

Hmm, you can try just doing it randomly. That's what Steven King did, when he made Richard Bachman. He did that so he could publish more than one book a year. Think of a first name you like and a last name you like and mix them.

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