Hello writers. I have a pen name to separate my fiction from my other career/actual identity. I don't necessarily plan to keep it a secret forever, at least to family. That said I'm not ready to "come out". Is it alright to not post a photo of myself on my blog/facebook/instagram? (I don't consider myself photogenic anyway! ha). If it's okay not to upload a photo of myself now, should I plan on having to do it in the future, say, when getting ready to (self?) publish? Also, about pen names and info --- is it okay to give information about, say, the degrees that I have, or should I keep that kind of information separate from my pen name identity? Thanks.
Hi, and welcome. @BayView would be the person to talk to about this as she uses a pen name (several actually). I hope you get the help you need. Good Luck.
I don't include photos of myself in any forum or medium associated with my pen name. Due to the content of my books (explicit m/m romance) I am only open about my writing with select people who know me in real life. I use the avatar I'm using here on the boards as my profile pic on Twitter and on the bio page of my website.
Well that settles that. No photo! I'm still unsure about sharing details. How does one, using a pen name, claim to work in a specific field and hold a degree in said field, when someone could claim, "Hang on, there's no one in that field by that name!" I'm overthinking things, aren't I?
I am unsure of what you are writing, but I would put less personal info on the About the Author profile page. Take a look around at what other authors with pen names have done when filling out their 'bio' page. Nora Roberts writes under J. D. Robb, and on her about page it shows her picture and states that she uses the pseudonym. But if you are looking to keep your work anonymous to your personal life, like Miss Laurin Kelly does. Then I would just put out as few impersonal facts about yourself, to keep your personal life separate from your pen names. Just use vague things that cannot be traced back to you directly. Just list a few indirect details about yourself, and let it go. Out of morbid curio, what do you do that you feel the need to address it, in relation to what you are writing?
or you could make up a life story and use a model .... expect to get called out on social media when you re found out though
I have an open pen name. My friends and family (and students) know I'm writing, and the pen name is mostly to keep the fiction separate from the poetry and non-fiction, and because my real name is harsh and constantly mispronounced. I joined Twitter this past week under the pen name and put up an actual photo of me. Will I regret it? Don't know! So far I have only 5 followers and only three of them are real people. I'm still feeling my way around.
Some of my friends already know this is my pen name, but your reasons are the same as mine - awkward surname, and separation. I am going to keep on being semi-anon but in the long run yeah, I'm pretty sure I'll publicly claim the pen name, photo and all.
If you wanted to be an authority or expert in a certain niche then I'd suggest your real name, otherwise, a pen name is fine to keep the two separate. Best of luck.
I’m in the same boat as you. My given name, along with maiden and married names are all really tough for people to manage. I’ve been debating if I’ll publish under initials (a la JK Rowling) because my maiden name is very unique and could lend a recognizable edge or if I’ll just use a pseudonym to keep my writing separate from my personal life. Still debating.
I'm using a pen name to keep my fiction writing separate from non-fiction, and because I want to keep my fiction writing well away from my co-workers. Unless you want to tie the two names together, you can't claim your degrees and titles, which sucks...but it can also be good for the writing, because the writing has to stand on its own. That makes me work even harder at it.
"'His length quivered at the curtain, sunlight flooded past the member's shadow...!"' 'HAH...hey guys, check out Shenny's romantic novel.' ''Wat da fok, who she, who she, sheee, I can't breathe.' 'Wait till I show the supervisor...' 'Yeah man, CEO, heh heh, and the company nurse!' 'Heh heh.'
