Pen Names

Hello. I'm new to this forum. I am trying to break into writing and illustrating picture books. I have completed one manuscript/dummy and am working on another.

As I'm trying to get published I am thinking more and more about long term marketing and specifically about pen names.

I am considering using a pen name because: 1. my name might be too long, hard to spell and remember 2. the web site domain name for my name is already taken (by an unrelated painter/artist - but I don't want to cause confusion)

Here are some ideas I am considering:
Samantha Marroquin (my real name)
Samantha Lynn (just 1st and mddle names)
Samantha Graham (mother's maiden name)
Samantha Grimes (it is my maiden name, probably not my first pick though)
something else that just sounds good
Rew Wer (was also a family name, it is short and unusual)

I'm open to suggestions. I'd really appreciate your thoughts and ideas.

 

I like 'Samantha Graham' and actually, your real name sounds nice. I wouldn't go with the last option.

It's up to you, of course. Just my two pennies.

 

I like your real name the best of the ones you have suggested. Graham would be my second choice.

 

Hi,

Have you considered just your first two initials and your last name?

S L Marroquin

The new J R Hartley maybe

 

think Sam Graham is cute...just a little confusion they don't know whether your a man or woman

 

I quite like your real name, to be honest.

My real name is shared with an illustrator and a graphic designer of some fame (he was behind the new design on the back of British coinage- so only really famous if you're a bit sad, or his namesake like moi). Hence I've included my middle initial in my "professional name" (as it were) in order to differentiate.

 

your real name is a great-sounding/looking one for a writer and i'd strongly suggest you use it... or the intial + last name suggested above...

as for illustrating, however, you should know that in the us nearly all p/b publishers assign their own illustrators and most won't even allow artwork by unknown artists to be submitted... so concentrate on trying to sell your text... if/when you snag a publisher, then you can ask if they'd take a look at your illustrations...

if you need any help along the way, i write children's books for a chicago publisher and mentor many aspiring writers of children's stories and books, so feel free to drop me a line any time... i wish you the best of luck...

love and hugs, maia