I'm working on choosing a pen name, as my given name doesn't exactly really roll off the tongue. I'm actually brainstorming a change to my legal name as well that might coincide with it. The legal name change I was considering was Magnus Alexander Cortez. Not really sure how that sounds as a fantasy author name or if I should concoct another, different name to publish under.
I read the name Magnus Alexander Cortez, and the first thing i thought of was, 'Where on earth can i buy his fantasy book?'
The other idea I was considering for a pen name was Argo Simms. It's kind of a jab at various ways people have misspelled or mispronounced my name over the years, but it's got a nice ring to it. Not sure if it screams "Author" or not.
When I read "Magnus Alexander Cortez"The first thing that popped in to my head was the "most interesting man in the world" beer commercials. Strong rugged classy type. Argo Simms brought to mind a techno nerd Geeky type. I guess the question is what image are ya going for?
I like it It sounds kinda sophisticated. The only downside I might suggest is that three names (either double barrel as a surname or just three names together) sound a little bit 'hoity toity' and upper class, which might (just might) turn off a certain percentage of the potential audience?
Magnus Alexander Cortez is quite a mouthful. I disagree with @Cappy and Pegody: I think Argo Simms sounds like the name of a rugged sea captain. I prefer Argo Simms.
I can't help but chuckle at your disagreeing with me. The analogy you gave really got me to smiling cause I AM a licensed boat captain hence my pin name,
