Even though many writers profess the usual reasons for using pen names, it seems that there really is no one reason – and their rationale may shift with time.
Writers Who Work in Different Professions
One reader responded that she needed to use a pen name to protect her identity as she is often called into court as an expert forensic witness. It is a way to separate her professional life from her life outside that profession.
Writers Who Believe Their Surnames Create Barriers
Another reader responded that "sometimes the sad reality is that someone having an ethnic name won't ring well with possible buyers and is a bad marketing decision, and a pen name may be required in order to sell more books. I have considered this as I'm sure many people have."
The reverse also holds true. For example, I've met quite a few authors over the years who have asked me if they should use their maiden names, their mother's and/or father's surnames, as they (and I quote) "sound more ethnic." If a publishing house, contest drive, or other type of call for submissions wants Latin writers, then having a last name like Webber or Slotsky may not "sound" Latin – even though the writers may still be of Latin parentage or descent.
On Using Pen Names for Publication Bylines
On the fun side of pen names is the persona. . .They are often used in conjunction with our legal names, or not, as the case may be. When I was growing up, my parents had a friend who wrote a column for a North County paper under the name Luella Liverwurst!
Then there is Dr. Seuss, who locals knew was Theodore Dreisel. How did we know? Because our parents told us. . .Furthermore, he held workshops for kids of all ages at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art. While I don't know how or why he came up with this pen name, it was, and continues to be, memorable.
On Using Pen Names for Writing Personas
Pen names are often bestowed upon us like titles in alien and ancient courts. When I was in graduate school, my department chair dubbed me "The Mistress of Rhetoric" due to my harping on how women received "Masters" degrees. . .A bit of feminist theoretical fun ensued (and no, I am not a militant feminist. . .). It stuck, and years later, I wrote a monthly column under the same name for San Diego's Cafe and Coffee House Scene, The Espresso.
In my capacity as a staff member at Sam's Dot Publishing, I often sign my name as The Boortean Ambassador to Haura. When our managing editor began addressing me by this title, it stuck. Over the years, I began to sign the Drabblers' "A Note from your Editor" with such, and have even used it as a byline for my own drabbles and poetry.
As a scifaikujin, or writer of science and speculative fiction haiku, my haikujin, or haiku name, is semi. I have had quite a few traditional haiku as well as scifaiku penned under this name, which was bestowed upon me by my mentor. It means, "cicada" in Japanese, and has, of course, a special meaning given my association with a particular circle of poets.
Closing Thoughts
As long as your reasons for using pen names are not meant to break the law or otherwise escape justice, then my only advice is to choose wisely and be sure they're individually tailored. Who knows, you may just find as numerologists will often claim, that your name is your destiny.
Terrie Leigh Relf - Terrie Leigh Relf has a B.A. in Buddhist and Western Psychology from Naropa University in Boulder, CO, and an M.A. in Rhetoric and Writing ...
