As a writer, whether you’re new to the industry or have been writing for quite some time, you’ll undoubtedly have considered the possibility of writing under a pseudonym or pen name. After all, with so few opportunities to truly showcase your talent, why not try and maximize your earnings potential by taking on a pen name?
It’s no secret that using a pen name can help ensure your work is attributed to you and not someone else. However, although this may be beneficial for your personal brand, it can also have the unintended consequence of diminishing your income. In order to successfully write under a pen name, you need to consider a number of factors. So before we begin, it’s important to note that although we typically associate the word “pen” with writing, it actually has a number of different definitions. Primarily, a pen is defined as “a device for writing or drawing with ink,” and is often used in combination with paper. But the meaning of “pen” can also extend to other areas of your life, such as your name. For example, if you write under the name Robert Galbraith, you could potentially encounter some legal issues if, in the course of your writing career, you are ever involved in a car accident and need to identify the other driver. Since Robert is your name, it might not be easy to prove that you are the driver in question. One wrong move, and you could find yourself in court facing serious accusations.
Choosing A Pen Name
When choosing a pen name, you need to consider a number of factors. Primarily, you want to pick a name that is relatively easy to spell and pronounce, and minimizes any legal risks should you choose to write under it. Choosing a nickname or an initial for your pen name can also help bolster your creative vision, giving your work a unique identity that is all your own. For example, if you enjoyed writing for the great British magazine The Economist, why not consider using your initials “RG” to create a brand new identity for yourself as a writer? Many successful authors, journalists, and bloggers have taken this route, using their initials as a means of creative self-expression.
If, however, you are looking for a professional-sounding pen name, consider using a person’s name as a basis for your pseudonym. If your goal is to write for a living, this is a great option, as you can often find a number of writers interested in joining forces with you. It’s also a great choice if you want to write for a particular person, as it is often easier to pitch stories to your chosen contacts. Finally, using a short form of a person’s name can be a great way to save you time when you’re writing. For example, if you have an essay to write and you know that you’re going to use Robert as your pen name, consider using Roberta as your pseudonym instead. This will save you the effort of looking up Robert’s full name every time you need to reference it in your work!
Pitching Your Story
Once you’ve settled on a pen name, the next step is to consider how you’re going to pitch your story to editors. In order to successfully write under a pen name, you need to consider a number of factors, the most important of which is the story itself. Although you may have chosen a pen name because you want to be able to write about something that is meaningful to you, the truth is you probably don’t have any story ideas that match the name you’ve chosen. This is where pitching your story can be of great help. By taking the time to consider all the angles of your story before you begin pitching it, you will ensure that you choose a pseudonym that is going to maximize your income potential.
Pitching your story is an essential step in the process of writing under a pen name. However, in order to do this successfully, you need to make sure that you’ve considered every angle of your story before you begin pitching it. Start by putting yourself in the shoes of the person you’re writing for. Would you buy this story? Does your chosen publication normally cover this kind of topic? For example, if you’re writing for The New York Times, you might want to consider pitching a story about a female entrepreneur who runs a marketing agency or a fashion blog. Since these are somewhat uncommon topics for The New York Times, it’s important to consider what angle you are coming from and what you are trying to achieve with your story. Keep in mind that the person reading your pitch may not be familiar with your chosen topic, so make sure that you have enough details about it to make your point clearly.
Choosing a pseudonym is all about having control over your creative content. In order to maximize your income potential, you need to consider a number of factors, the most important of which is your story. Since your story is the basis of everything, make sure that you have enough material to back it up. Also, make sure that you have thought of everything in terms of the legal and PR risks that are involved if you choose to write under a pen name. It is also important to make sure that you have a clear idea of how you are going to pitch your story to the publication you’ve chosen to work with. Remember, they may not be familiar with stories involving your chosen topic, so make sure that you have enough information to back it up.