The mention of an author’s name could bring excitement or disdain among book lovers. Names like J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or Mark Twain could bring about opinions about their body of work. Aspiring authors have the choice to use their own name or to pick another one that has the potential to be iconic.
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| Image source: Barnesandnoble.com |
Some authors use pseudonyms because they are from a different field or have been known earlier as a writer in a different genre. A horror novelist may want to switch courses and explore the historical romance genre, or a well-known physics professor may want to write an epic-like narrative. However, some authors use pseudonyms because they want to hide from their friends and families. Bearing in mind all these, an author must carefully consider the name he or she will use. When creating a pen name, an author must keep in mind that he or she will stick with it for a long time. So before using random adjectives as a pen name, spend some time and list down choices. Be clever.
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| Image source: Wired.com |
Names create impressions. When a reader browses through the shelves and sees the book cover with the author’s pseudonym on it, there has to be an interesting ring. Some people base their next purchase on the cover design. There are also a group of readers who like to pick up books after seeing a name they don’t recognize yet. An author’s goal is to gain a new patron. The challenge is to create a pseudonym that will capture their interest.
Brendan Triplett is a former infantry sergeant, a Purple Heart awardee, rugby fan, and an author, who has penned books under the name Michael Westen. To know more about Brendan and his many interests, subscribe to this blog.
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