If I'm writing about a book published under a pseudonym, should I use author's real name or pen name?

Question

The book Return to Laughter was written by Laura Bohannon and published under the pseudonym Elenore Smith Bowen. Which do I use when referring to her in my essay?

Answer 1

Since they are the same person, it doesn't matter which name you use. Arguably, the real name is more the actual person, so it might be a hair better.

Likewise, some people like to make a distinction between the voice of the author in text and that of the author in other circumstances. So if you're making that kind of a point, you may even compare and contrast the differences between Laura and Elenore, even though they are really the same person. Some people do the same thing when they compare Bachman to Steven King, for example. And oftimes there are real differences to be seen, too!

In the end, do whatever feels more comfortable and reads easiest. For your purposes, as long as it's consistent it's probably okay.

Answer 2

Indicate that she had written under a pseudonym....that is an appeal to many as an author becomes very well known....often the pseudonym is a basis for trying a bit of a different venue...i would use the author's real name. The pseudonym comes after notoriety....you are speaking of the individual. Use the real name.

Answer 3

Make a mention in the beginning of the essay what the author's real name is, but since she wrote it under the pseudonym refer to her by the pseudonym.

Answer 4

Writers use pen names for a number of reasons. Anne Rice began her career in fiction by writing erotica. So as not to be branded by this work, she wrote under a different name, A.N. Roquelaure. Stephen King wrote under a pen name in order to expand interest in his work. A reader might think "I am not interested in Stephen King" and not pick up any books with his name on them. So King wrote other kinds of fiction under Richard Bachman. A number of female authors through the ages have opted to use male pen names. Few people were interested in anything a woman had to say. More recently, J.K. Rowling was advised by her publisher to use her first initial (J for Joanne) and add the "K" so that people might think she was male. Nora Roberts is a prolific romance writer. She writes mysteries under J. D. Robb. Her romance fans might not accept her efforts are a mystery writer, and vice versa. Some writers may have other careers in other professions and use a pen name to keep their endeavors separate. As for you, do as you please. You should not let your sister's "rejection" keep you from your real name. And your mother can't get anything from you you don't authorize her to have, provided that you are of legal age. I would encourage you to write first and worry about small details much, much later when the issue becomes a reality. Too many would-be writers agonize over things that are likely to never, ever come to pass.

Answer 5

According to most writing guidelines if you are talking about an author that uses a pseudonym, you are to refer to them with that pseudonym. That is how the author wanted to be recognized by and therefore, should be refered to as such.

Answer 6

First said that I consider pseudonyms mere cowardice, use the pseudonym, that's what etiquette says... If author's real name isn't shown anywhere _in_ _that_ book.

If both names appear, you may refer to writer ONLY IN FIRST MENTION as with criminals: "John Doe (aka Juan Pérez)", or if is stricly necessary to mention the real name, because it's better known than the pseudonym, use: "John Doe, who signs himself as "Juan Pérez" in this work..."

Answer 7

If you are writing a paper on a particular book, you should use the name that came with the book, if you choose to clarify the pen name, so much the better.
You would search for Tom Sawyer under "Mark Twain", not
Samuel Clemens...

Answer 8

Use the pen name. If, for example, you were talking about Samuel Clemens, not all that many people would know who you were referring to. However, if you talk about Mark Twain (his pen name), most people would know.