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If you've wanted a name change, now is the chance to have some fun. This is especially useful for making up a "nom de plume"[1], or a pen name if you want to hide your authorship of a book, paper, internet site or other media.
Steps
Pseudonym Help
Consider how much of your real name you want to keep. You can shorten your name from something like William to Will, or Ashley to Ash, or simply choose a name that is similar.
Decide what kind of genre you want to write and choose a name that fits it.[2]- For fantasy and science fiction writings, initials work best, such as J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien.
- For literary works, "flowing" names work better, such as Nicholas Sparks and Barbara Kingsolver.
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Make sure that the complete name isn't awkward! The amount of syllables must be easy to spit out, unlike Billie Letts (too many L's) or 2-syllable names.
Select several pseudonyms by mixing and matching. It sounds silly, but write each name out in easy print and give the names a bit of space on the paper. Keep working on what looks good and cross out the rest.
Say each pseudonym out loud several times. Just about anything will work, such as, "I have to read [pseudonym's] newest book!" or "Is [pseudonym] coming for a book signing?"
Choose your favorite pseudonym out of all of your options. There's no formula for deciding the best one; if you like one better than the others, go with it!
You can use random name generators like http://www.behindthename.com/random/ and try different combinations of the names you get. That always gives you an interesting new name, and you can choose the origin of the name, like Irish, English, African, or even mythology.[4]
Community Q&A
- QuestionCan I put my own name in the book that I am creating for free?
Community AnswerYes, unless you want to remain anonymous, - QuestionCan I use a famous character's name as a pseudonym?Community AnswerIt's probably best not to, in order to avoid confusion. However, you can always take two characters you like and put their names together. For example, Harry Potter and Jon Snow could make Harry Snow or John Potter -- two unique names.
- QuestionDon't I need to register a pseudonym to be legal and do things like open a bank account?
Community AnswerPeople do not usually open bank accounts under their pseudonyms. I would suggest you continue to use your real name for official business. If you were to become a very famous author or artist or something under your pseudonym, you could register that as your business name for copyright purposes, etc.
Tips
- Make an anagram of your name and use that. For instance, Tim Jones could be Jon Miset, or for a French twist, Jon Misét.[5]Thanks
- Do not pick out a name that is so outlandish that you are ashamed to bear it.Thanks
- Make sure your pseudonym is a name you like!Thanks
References
About This Article
Many creatives use a pseudonym for their work, and with a little imagination, you can come up with one too. If you have a long first name, consider shortening it into a nickname or using your middle name. You can also use your initials, which is popular with fantasy, science fiction, and psychological thriller writers. Alternatively, make an anagram with the letters in your name. If you can’t find a pseudonym you like using your real name, try something unrelated that you like the sound of. If you’re not sure, write out a few different options and see how they sit with you before making a decision. You should also search online to make sure your pseudonym hasn’t already been taken. For more tips, including how to test how your pseudonym will look on cover art, read on!
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