The Mystery of Pen Names

Authors have used pen names for years, including some of the greats like Stephen King as Richard Bachman and Anne Rice as Anne Rampling. Many of us have an idea or two about why authors choose to use made up names. But bet there were a few reasons some of us never think of.

In early August I monitored a couple of posts I made on writing forums to find out why authors use pen names. It was interesting to find similarities at each of these places. Below are the reasons I found for "Why do authors use pen names?":

Different Names for Different Genres
Many times you will find authors using a pen name for science fiction novels and later they use another name when they start writing in genres such as children's literature or erotica. These authors use a different name for each genre to help readers' expectations of each author separate. Say for instance an author is well known for her science fiction novel and with that came certain expectations of her novel and characters. This helps to keep reader from being confused.

Foreign Names
Some people are born over seas, or their ancestors where from over seas, thus they may have names that are hard to pronounce or spell. In this case they decided to use a name that is easier for others to pronounce and spell, ending any frustrations that may arise from trying to say or write the author's true name.

Identity Protection Crisis
In the past few years there have been many cases of identity theft. If you're like me you cringe at these reports every time they come across the television or radio stations. I fear the possibility it may someday happen to me. Many authors feel that way and see that using a pseudonym is one of the ways they can protect themselves.

Marriage
When woman authors get married they are forced with the question of whether to use their maiden name, married name, or to use a hyphenation of the two. Many of the women decided either to use their maiden name, or pen name so that if they are ever divorced, she won't have to deal with seeing her ex-husband's name all over the work she has published.

Touchy Subject
There are times an author may have touchy subject to talk about involving people they know. They not only change the names of the people to protect them, but they may also use a pen name to protect themselves.

Memory Problems
Some authors are born with names aren't easy to remember. There just isn't anything about their name that sticks to the memory banks, or their name is too long, or hard to pronounce. These authors take time to come up with names they hope no one will forget, or at least not forget so easily.

Similarity of Names
Instead of being born with a name no one can remember, some authors are born with names that are the same or very similar to preceding authors. To avoid confusion or confrontation form the other authors, they will choose a pen name to write under.

Book Failure
Other authors may have published books, but the books failed to fly off the shelves their first time out. In this case, pen names would help the authors create a new reputation for themselves and take a fresh approach to gaining readers.

Two Become One
When two people, whether it is a friendship, or a married couple publish a book, it is sometimes easier to list one name on the cover. But then there is a question of who's name is listed first on the book. It is also harder for readers to remember both authors' names. Therefore, the authors simplify this by taking their names and creating one name to use for the author. This helps readers remember the author better and there is no confusion which name will be listed alphabetically in the list of authors.

Gender
For some genres it is harder to either accept a female author or a male author. For example, if a male wrote a romance novel he might not get as many readers as a female author would. Same is true for the science fiction or horror market and female writers. Male romance writers will often have a female pen name and female science fiction or horror authors may use a male pseudonym.

For No Other Reason
Then there are times where authors have no definitive reason for using a pen name other than the fact they find them fun while remaining professional.

I have covered many reasons why authors decide to use a pen name for their work, but I am sure there are authors out there whose reasons differ from the above. If you were going to use a pen name, what reason, or reasons, would give to someone who asked why you were using a name other than your own.