The Dark Half is one of my favorite Stephen King books, because it’s the one where an author’s pseudonym comes to life. Pen names like Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling), Anne Rice (Howard Allen Frances O’Brien), and Stan Lee (Stanley Martin Lieber) are common. However, why use pseudonyms or pen names — and how? Here’s why pseudonyms work.
Why Use Pen Names?
Pen names can be used for privacy concerns, legal reasons, or marketing.
It’s Me, Anna was initially published as Elbie Lötter to protect author privacy, highlighting a sensitive memoir of childhood abuse. Short Drive to Freedom is by André le Roux du Toit (Joe Kitchen/Koos Kombuis), who chose his pen-name during apartheid resistance years.
My legal name is Francois Jansen van Vuuren, and I won’t blame anyone who can’t pronounce or remember it. The name Alex J. Coyne had a better ring to it.
Pseudonyms Are Legal
Pseudonyms are legally protected as a personal right: a pen name is yours once you’ve chosen it. The law protects its individual use, which is why someone would be unable to publish a book as Stephen King unless, well, they are.
A pseudonym is protected by international copyright laws. Authors can prove it because they’ll have dated correspondence (or published work) with their chosen name on it.
Registering your pseudonym as a trademark isn’t strictly necessary, however, some authors still do this for creative control — merchandising knock-offs are easier to pursue legally, for example, when you have a trademark.
Trademarking Pen Names
Do you need to trademark your pseudonym first? No, but you might still register a trademark if you’re into merchandising (things carrying the name other than written work).
Once a name or slogan is trademarked, it’s protected by personal usage laws, but also intellectual property guidelines.
Let’s say I created graphic hoodies, but didn’t trademark JOE DUDE. If someone steals the design, I can hold them accountable for duplicating the name. However, if someone steals a trademarked design, I could stop it sooner — technically, theirs is counterfeit by additional, more hardcore laws.
When people are selling rights, they’re exchanging trademarks.
The JRR Tolkien Estate refused any of its trademarks to Disney, but allowed Prime Video’s The Rings of Power. That’s how creative control via trademarks works — and not just for pen names, but any registered word, image, or slogan.
Pen Names versus Legal Names
Publishing contracts mention an author’s legal name, as well as their pseudonym with clear indication. Indicate clearly on manuscripts which is the intended published pseudonym, and which name is used for correspondence or payments.
Accounting departments can be confused when paying an invoice to Mr Jansen, when they could have sworn that they’d spoken to Mr Coyne. Don’t assume everyone knows the difference — and just in case, sign correspondence appropriately.
An extreme example is the time Reader’s Digest signed a check to my pseudonym: yes, re-issuing took several weeks.
Changing Names Legally
Many professionals choose to change their names to match their pseudonym. If you’re uncomfortable with your given name (or it’s easier), apply for a name change for professional reasons.
C. Hope Clark used to be known as Cynthia B. Clark. Once she became a writer, she wanted a more eye-catching name, but her bank gave her a hard time on cashing checks. Using her birth certificate, she changed her bank and other records to C. Hope, spinning off of her given name of Cynthia Hope. Now C. Hope Clark is both her pen and legal name.
Applications can be rejected if there’s a dispute, though (for example, if I tried to register myself as Prince Charles).
Legal name changes generally also can’t contain special characters like X Æ A-12, infringe on trademarks, or be offensive. Most name changes go through, but there are valid legal reasons why some names won’t be allowed, like ones frivolous or obscene.
Clarifying Pseudonyms
I prefer my pseudonym, and generally introduce myself as Alex — but for newer clients, I still make the full introduction for paperwork.
Articles for The South African specified both bylines as “by Alex J. Coyne (Francois Jansen)” — both names grew readership without alienating search results for my regular writing.
A pseudonym isn’t just an alternate, but should become your marketable brand — and your recognizable voice.
About the Author: Alex J. Coyne is a journalist, author, and proofreader. He has written for a variety of publications and websites, with a radar calibrated for gothic, gonzo, and the weird. Sometimes, he co-writes with others.
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