Noms de Plume

Hiya Steve. Personally if I had written something as awesome as a novel and got it published I would want people to know I had achieved it. It's a huge thing. I have no do's or don'ts to relate because I'm a novice. But I know for sure if I had slaved over tens of thousands of words my name would be in very large print, front cover. I agree with Lorraine it would a little odd putting all your hard work out there as someone else. But as she said it has to be a personal choice.

Google it, or check it on Amazon. That way you'll see if anyone else has used it.

I toyed with the idea of using a pen name, or my maiden name, for my novel, but went with my current one, because it's sufficiently odd to be unmistakable (I blame the husband), but also because it looks okay on the cover.

I asked a group of friends for their opinions, and they were divided, so it came down to what I felt most comfortable with. It's an odd thing, to think of putting your work out there as someone else. I decided I'd feel semi-detached, which after all the years that went into this novel was something that didn't seem right. I'm proud of it, so wanted to claim ownership of it.

Another friend asked the same question, with pretty much the same result. A pen name, or lack of one, is a very personal thing, so choose carefully.

Lorraine