Should I use a pseudonym for my art?

A pseudonym can be a good opportunity to reinvent yourself. Building a captivating new persona requires communicating a clear sense of your identity as an artist. A new or altered name can be powerful in redefining your narrative and establishing what you stand for.

Should you use a pseudonym?

To use or not use a pen name or pseudonym is a personal choice. There’s not really a right or wrong answer on this—unless you do share a name with a well-known author and/or celebrity. Just remember: If you do use one, be ready to take on that new persona (even if it’s very similar to your actual identity).

What is the point of a pseudonym?

What Is a Pseudonym? The definition of a pseudonym (or nom de plume in French) is a fake name used by a writer when writing and publishing their work in order to protect themselves or increase the chance of success.

Should I use a pseudonym on social media?

Pros of Using an Online Alias and Persona Allows for a greater amount of separation between your personal and online life. Gives you a sense of privacy, something that is becoming a bit of a commodity these days. No need to worry about bosses and other work colleagues finding your work online.

Is it illegal to have a pseudonym?

Legal Myth No. 1: Authors cannot register copyrights for creative work under a pen name. Copyrights protect whatever work a writer creates, automatically. While authors tend to use their legal names to register copyrights, authors can register a copyright under their pen names, or both if they like.

How do you legally use a pseudonym?

You can register a manuscript under a pen name at the copyright office (www.copyright.gov). You’ll have to provide some information, including your real address. But if you really want to keep your true identity under wraps, set up a post office box and have information from the office sent there.

Why did female authors use pseudonyms?

Many female writers have adopted male nom de plumes, or otherwise gender-ambiguous pseudonyms, for a number of reasons: to publish without prejudice in male-dominated circles; to experiment with the freedom of anonymity; or to encourage male readership.

How do you choose a pseudonym?

To choose a pen name:

1. Identify the right age for your pseudonym.
2. Choose options that fit your literary genre.
3. Check the availability of your pen name’s URL and social media handles.
4. Choose a name that’s easy to spell, pronounce, and remember.
5. Make sure your pen name isn’t similar or identical to another author’s.

Why do people use fake names on social media?

Pseudonyms are often misunderstood — there’s an assumption that people want to hide behind fake names for nefarious reasons. But the data says otherwise. It turns out that 70\% of their respondents who do use pseudonyms do so for privacy reasons, so they can speak openly and honestly in a productive manner.

Can you run a business under a pseudonym?

Having a business with a fictitious name is definitely legal, provided that you have filed the proper documentation (such as registering your business, incorporating, or filing a “doing business as” statement), and carried out the proper trademark searches.

Do authors still use pseudonyms today?

The use of pseudonyms by writers and artists has been a popular practice throughout the centuries, and using a pen name is a well-known practice even today. While pen names may be less common than they were in the past, they are still a good option to consider for modern authors! What is a pseudonym?

What is the difference between a pseudonym and a pen name?

Pseudonym means the same thing as pen name and nom de plume. The term pen name is more closely linked to an author’s pseudonym, because it more directly links the author’s name to the name they write and publish under (get it, pen name?) Nom de plume is the French version of pseudonym, but it means the same thing.

How do you write under a pseudonym in an essay?

Often, writing under a pseudonym is as easy as putting the phrase “writing as” on your manuscript. For articles, short stories, and poetry, you can simply put your real name in the upper left corner of your manuscript (or on the cover page), and list your pen name as your byline beneath the title.

Should I use a pseudonym to hide my race or ethnicity?

Nor, theoretically, should you feel it necessary to conceal your race, ethnicity, or culture behind a pseudonym. However, your own experience may be the best determinant in this regard.