A nom de plume is the French saying for pen name. Writers use a pen name to hide their identity in published works. Nom de plumes are modernly known as pseudonyms. Many famous works throughout history have been done under a nom de plume. A writer can choose to use a pen name for a number of reasons, but the history of using a nom de plume is very interesting.

Why use a Nom de Plume?

Women in History Using Pseudonyms:

Writers may use a pen name for several different reasons. Giving a writer anonymity protects their identity. This allows them to talk about topics considered deviant in polite society without risking their reputation. Historically, women would commonly use a nom de plume to write, this was popular specifically in the 19^th century. Historically, women were not allowed to tell bold stories or speak out in a way that showcased unpopular opinions.

Several women became famous while using pseudonyms. Mary Ann Evans wrote using the pseudonym George Elliot. At the time, women writers were only expected to write romance. Mary Ann Evans was known for living life in her own way, outside of the stereotypical Victorian woman. Being the outlier that she was, she did not want to write romance, she wanted to write of more serious topics such as religion, morals, and values through modern fiction! Using a man’s name gave her the freedom she desired to be a professional writer in her chosen genre.

For similar reasons, the Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, wrote under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell because they did not believe they would be taken seriously as female authors.

Men in History Using Pseudonyms:

Writers may also use a pseudonym when they want anonymity to protect their private life. When a writer’s true name is known, it allows people to contact them for any number of reasons. This brings attention to their personal life. For this reason, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson wrote under the nom de plume Lewis Carroll. To maintain anonymity, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson would refuse letters that arrived at his office addressed to Carroll to maintain deniability. Eric Arthur Blair used the pen name George Orwell. He decided to use a pen name when he published to protect his family from embarrassment of his time in poverty.

Another reason writers might use a pseudonym is to get a fresh start when their name is well-known. Stephen King used the pen name Richard Bachman to publish work because he was afraid continuously publishing under his own name would oversaturate the “King” brand. Using a nom de plume is popular in the King family. Joe Hill is a pen name for Stephen King’s son, Joseph Hillstrom King. Joseph King created his pen name to step out from under his father’s shadow. In an interview, he spoke on how he did not want to be published because of who his dad is, but because his work deserved to be published (you can read that here).

Benjamin Franklin published under Silence Dogood, when the Curant would not publish anything under his name. He published under Silence Dogood before he was well-known, while he was an apprentice at his brother’s printing press because his brother refused to print anything Ben had written. However, after he was famous, he wrote under the pseudonym Poor Richard and revolutionized what an almanac is under that name.

How to use a Nom de Plume?

Using a pseudonym is not something to take lightly, and doing it requires a fair amount of decision making. First thing any writer needs if they want to use a pseudonym is to find a name they want to put on their work. After finding a name, the writer needs to research it with the U.S. Trademark Office to ensure they are not infringing on any existing trademarks.

Did you know you can get payments made to your pseudonym? All you need to do is file a Fictitious Business Name Statement. To do this you need to go through your state government to connect your government name to the assumed name of your business!

The author will need to let their publisher know that they are using a pseudonym, unless they are self-publishing.

The next thing the author needs to do is use this name on selected works. They would need to use it on both book covers and copyright notices. They would use it the way one would use their legal name. Having copyright protection can protect both your legal name and pseudonym.

Using a pseudonym has its benefits. While pseudonyms have declined in popularity following the rise in equality, they are still used today for many reasons.

Which of your favorite writers is actually using a pseudonym?