Using a nom de plume or pen name has been a common practice among authors and artists for centuries. Over the years, I’ve used several names to write books. Would I do that now? I’m not so sure.
The Freedom of a Pen Name
From historical playwrights to modern authors, the reasons for adopting a pseudonym are as varied as the individuals themselves.
Why Authors Use Pen Names To Separate Roles and Genres
My full name is David Stewart Salariya, but I’ve written under several names, including David Salariya, David Stewart, and Max Marlborough. These pseudonyms helped me separate my identity as an author from my roles as a concept creator, designer, art director, and publisher. Running The Salariya Book Company while managing my creative responsibilities required versatility—a true "jack of all trades." Using pen names was one way to delineate these overlapping responsibilities.
Authors often adopt pseudonyms to avoid confusing readers when exploring different genres. J.K. Rowling published her crime novels under the name Robert Galbraith. This allowed her to write in a new genre and reach a different audience without the overwhelming expectations of her Harry Potter fame.
Historical and Cultural Context
In certain periods, adopting a pseudonym was a matter of fashion, anonymity, or necessity. Some notable examples include:
Molière: Jean-Baptiste Poquelin used this name in 17th-century France to establish himself as a playwright.
Daniel Defoe: The 18th-century author reportedly used over 190 pseudonyms for his novels and political pamphlets.
Lewis Carroll: Charles Lutwidge Dodgson adopted this name to separate his literary work from his career as an Oxford mathematics lecturer.
The Brontë Sisters: Writing as Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, they overcame 19th-century gender biases to have their work taken seriously.
George Eliot: Mary Ann Evans similarly adopted a male pseudonym to ensure her work was judged on its merits, not her gender.
Anonymity and Privacy
Pseudonyms often allow authors to maintain privacy, particularly when personal or professional reputations are at stake. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) valued his academic standing and went to great lengths to keep his literary identity separate, even refusing letters addressed to "Lewis Carroll."
In more recent times, Italian author Elena Ferrante has maintained her anonymity, asserting that her identity is found in her writing. This deliberate separation between author and work has only added intrigue to her books.
Reinvention and Rebranding
Adopting a new name can also signal reinvention, Samuel Clemens became far better known as Mark Twain. This practice isn’t limited to the Western world; in Japan, many authors, especially those in manga, use pseudonyms to explore different identities or genres.
Authors Using Pen Names
Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) United Kingdom
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) United Kingdom
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) United States
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) United States
J.K. Rowling (Robert Galbraith) United Kingdom
Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) France
George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair) United Kingdom
Pablo Neruda (Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto) Chile
Stendhal (Marie-Henri Beyle) France
Isaac Asimov (Paul French) United States (used this pen name for some of his science fiction works)
Anne Rice (Howard Allen Frances O'Brien) United States
Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) United States
Ellis Bell, Acton Bell, Currer Bell (Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë, Charlotte Brontë) United Kingdom
Elena Ferrante (Real identity undisclosed) Italy
Fernando Pessoa (Multiple heteronyms) Portugal
Sidney Sheldon (Sidney Schechtel) United States
James Tiptree Jr. (Alice Bradley Sheldon) United States
Murasaki Shikibu (Real name unknown) Japan
Saki (H.H. Munro) United Kingdom
J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts) United States
Stephen King (as Richard Bachman): To test if his success was due to talent or branding.
Agatha Christie (as Mary Westmacott): For her romantic novels.
C.S. Lewis (as Clive Hamilton): For his poetry.
Louisa May Alcott (as A.M. Barnard): For her thrillers.
Artists Known by One Name
Michelangelo (Michelangelo Buonarroti) Italy
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) Italy
Rembrandt (Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn) Netherlands
Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) Italy
El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) Greece/Spain
Banksy (Real identity undisclosed) England
Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi) Italy
Kehinde Wiley United States (Though known by his full name, he is often referred to simply as "Kehinde" in discussions of his work)
Hokusai (Katsushika Hokusai) Japan
Warhol (Andy Warhol, though commonly referred to just by his last name) - United States
Challenges of Pen Names in the Digital Age
While pen names have historically been valuable, the digital age has complicated their use. Social media makes it easier to uncover pseudonyms, yet it also offers authors the chance to create distinct identities for their pen names. Platforms like Instagram and X allow authors to engage with readers while maintaining a separate persona.
The advent of AI-generated content poses another challenge. Dubbed "AI slop," low-quality machine-generated content is flooding the internet, making human creativity more critical than ever. Readers increasingly value authentic, human-written narratives. For publishers, this underscores the importance of crediting real people behind the books they publish.
Movement Toward Authenticity
In today’s creative world, there is a growing emphasis on authenticity. Readers want to trust the individuals behind the works they buy and read, and knowing the creator’s back story often enriches their connection to the material. This is especially important in children’s non-fiction publishing, where transparency can inspire young readers and foster trust in the information being read.
Highlighting the real people behind creative works helps preserve legacies, establish credibility, and build emotional connections. For authors and content creators like me, who have used pen names, the decision can be bittersweet. While pseudonyms offer freedom, they can also obscure recognition for one’s contributions.
Reflections on Pen Names Today
If I were starting out again, I might hesitate to use pen names. The advantages they once provided—anonymity, privacy, or genre separation—are increasingly less relevant in an age of digital transparency. However, for authors prioritising reinvention or privacy, pen names still hold appeal. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual goals and the evolving creative landscape.
Books by David Salariya
Written as David Stewart
You Wouldn't Want To… Series
Be an Egyptian Mummy
Sail on the Titanic!
Explore with Sir Francis Drake!
Be Tutankhamun!
Be a Roman Soldier!
How Would You Survive? Series
As a Bee
As a Polar Bear
As a Lion
As a Killer Whale
Your Guide to a New Life in Ancient Rome
WOE What on Earth Series
Sharks
Dinosaurs
Black & White Series
The Ocean
Pets
Written as Max Marlborough
Learning to Draw & Drawing to Learn (illustrated by Mark Bergin)
The Art of Drawing Manga Series
Girls and Boys
Action and Movement
Heroes and Villains
Drawing the Ancient Greeks
Drawing the Ancient Egyptians
Drawing the Vikings
Drawing the Ancient Romans
Written as David Salariya
Vikings and Their Travels
All About Me! A Baby’s Guide to Babies
I Am Small! A Baby’s Guide to What Babies Need to Know
On the Go! A Baby’s Guide to Getting on the Move
Tyrone the Clean-o-Saurus
What Lola Wants—Lola Gets
Pen names have long offered authors a way to navigate the complexities of identity, genre, and privacy. While they remain a valuable tool for some, the modern emphasis on authenticity is reshaping their role in the creative industry. As we continue to champion human creativity in an age of AI, highlighting the individuals behind the works we cherish feels more important than ever.
“pen names,” “nom de plume,” “famous authors,” “writing identity,” “creative pseudonyms,” and “publishing industry.”
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