What’s in a Name?

 

A pen name (also known as a pseudonym) is a name adopted by an author for writing. There are many reasons one might take on a pen name. I’ll explore some of those reasons as well as explain why I chose to write under a name that wasn’t my own.

1.     Anonymity – Anonymity is one of the largest reasons some authors ditch their government names, and they do it for a variety of reasons. Concealing your legal name offers a sense of protection. Perhaps the author has controversial views that might put their day job in jeopardy, or maybe they specialize in erotica and would rather not have those types of scenes linked to them. Whatever the case, people take on pen names because it makes them feel safe.

2.    Someone Already Has Your Name – Can you imagine what it would be like if your real name was Toni Morrison or James Baldwin? Not only might it confuse some readers, but more than likely, you’d get lost in the sauce. Authors with common or well-recognized names often choose pen names to stand out from the crowd.

3.    You Want to Write a Different Genre – Sometimes writers are interested in writing books in more than one genre. Those works need to be set apart. If one begins their career writing children’s books, it might appear odd for them to suddenly dabble in crime. Although many authors aren’t one-trick ponies, right or wrong, often their base wants to see them write what it is they’ve come to know them for. Having a pen name makes for a more seamless transition.

4.     You’re Famous –If you happen to be famous for something other than writing, you might take on a pen name to avoid any preconceived notions. No one likes to be put in a box, but unfortunately, it happens all the time. What possibly would an NBA star know about politics? What could a politician offer to science fiction? To have a fresh start, some people may need to ditch their real identities.

5.    Gender Inequality –Although it’s 2020,  gender inequality is still an issue. You’ll rarely find a man’s name on the cover of a romance novel or a woman’s name credited to a military read. In cases like these, Kimberly Simone Brooks quietly becomes K.S Brooks—sad but true.

Why I Chose a Pen Name

Simply put, I chose a pen name because I was scared (this ties into anonymity)! I’d come to the realization that writing was what I wanted to do with my life. Not only was it what I wanted to do, but it was ALL I wanted to do—I couldn’t afford to mess it up! I had no clue how I’d be received, so if it wasn’t a warm reception, I didn’t want my name tied to it. I decided to go with Sunny Harris. Sunny Harris is still my real name, sorta. My husband affectionately calls me Sunny and my married name is Harris—so it’s not that far off. I’ve never been anonymous in the fact that no one knows who I am. If we’re friends on social media, you can easily see the books I’ve written. I also have my picture visible on Amazon's author page. The privacy I desired was on a larger scale. I knew that if I bombed, I was going to try again and again. Hell, I’d be 20 pen names in, if that’s what it took. I wanted this writing thing, BAD. What I didn’t want is any negativity sullying up my good name–not the one my momma gave me! Thankfully, that hasn't been an issue. I’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response to my work and I'm truly grateful. If that hadn't been the case, I'd have my pen name to fall back on - a safety net of some sort. 

As you can see, there are a number of reasons one might choose to adopt a pen name - many I'm sure, aren't discussed here. Remember, there aren't any rules! If your real name is Stephen King and you just have to write under your name, give it a go! Your writing journey is yours to own. What other reasons might one choose to take on a pen name?