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Have you ever wondered why a writer chooses a pseudonym or pen name? Is it possible they believe that they are more important than other writers are? Do they demonstrate their views of superiority by simply choosing to rename themselves?
The truth is, there are a multitude of valid reasons for an author to select a pen name and very few have anything to do with pride.
For instance Mary Ann Evans was published under the name George Eliot simply because female authors had little success in her era. She utilized a pen name to gain acceptance from the reading public.
Publishers may suggest a pen name as a means of marketing your work to a larger audience. If your name is hard to pronounce or doesn't quite roll off the tongue, a pen name might be suggested.
For some writers the use of a pen name may be tied to the desire to remain somewhat anonymous. With the advent of so many technological advances it makes sense to many writers to utilize a pen name in an effort to avoid unwanted phone calls and emails from fans. Some writers have experienced some form of stalking from overly enthusiastic fans. The use of a pen name makes it difficult for these particular fans to gain contact with a writer.
Many prolific writers may also choose a pen name simply because it is possible to flood the market with your work while discovering the multiple writings had a negative effect on your long term ability to publish. Some writers may choose more than one pseudonym. There are cases where one author is featured several times in the same publication and a pen name is developed for each of the individual writings to avoid overexposure.
A style shift may also be a good reason to assume a pen name. If you gain notoriety for a specific style of writing it may be advisable to choose a pen name for a literary work that is very different from your expected style. This allows you to explore the new style without confusing your readers.
As you can see there are some very valid reasoning behind the use of a pseudonym or pen name. Should you elect to use a pen name for paid work you should visit with an accountant to learn how to manage the specific details related to taxes.
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Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of FaithWriters (www.faithwriters.com) and many other web projects. Members include writers from all around the world. Please visit the website at: www.faithwriters.com
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