Why I Chose Not To Use A Pen Name

Not long after I announced my plans to self-publish my first novel, I received an unsolicited DM on Instagram advising me to consider a pen name. Rather, they were telling me to use a pen name and proceeded to list all the reasons for their recommendation. Their reasons included: 

• Anonymity 
• Not locked into one genre 
• Unique name 
• “It’s just safer.” 

This person uses a pen name themselves and has explained on their social channels why they choose to. They don’t want people in their “real life” to find their work and worry about the ramifications on their professional career. They also don’t want their grandmother to read their spicy love scenes, and have concerns about someone doxing them. 

All valid concerns, especially for someone who publicly speaks about their struggles with anxiety. Their reasons for using a pen name are valid and sound and work well for them. 

Their strong suggestion – almost an insistence – that I use one does not work well for me. 

I have built my online reputation on my given name – Sarah Wyland. Online reputation was hammered into me in undergrad, and I have taken it seriously ever since. I have secured my given name as my URL, my email address, and my social media handles. I have a Google alert set up with my name in case anything pops up. I have always been careful about what I post, at first because Mama didn’t need to see my sorority shenanigans, and then because I actually understood that what goes on the internet never truly goes away. 

I have been writing my entire life. It took a long, long time for me to reach this point where I’m bold enough to rip off the metaphorical bandage and self-publish my first novel. I have an extensive backlist at this point and I’m excited to give this self-publishing world a shot – I’ll write another post on why I chose self-publishing over traditional publishing soon – and hopefully follow in the footsteps of some of my favorite authors (some of which use a pen name!). 

At the end of the day, I’m not using a pen name because I’m not looking for anonymity. I’m proud of the reputation I’ve built, and the small following I’ve grown. I want them to know about the books I’ve poured my heart and soul into. And we all know I’m not afraid to try something new. Should I get bored of contemporary romance and decide to write something else? I’ll write it and publish it under the same name. Rebecca Yarros took a turn and went fantasy and look what happened with Fourth Wing, right? 

Mostly though, I’m proud of the books I’ve written. I want my name – my actual name – on them. I want people to know that I wrote them. I wouldn’t put my name on something I’m not proud of, after all, and that’s what it comes down to in the end for me. I ask myself that question: is this something I’m proud to have my name on? If the answer is yes, I’ll proceed with publishing. If the answer is no, I’ll press pause and figure out why.  

There is also the matter of authenticity. Showing up as my authentic self has become increasingly important to me over the years, especially as social media ebbs ever more to the highlight reel side of things. It’s important to me to be me and that includes not using a pen name right along with sharing the good days and the bad days, the forays into fanfiction and the ups and downs of balancing it all. I get a couple of DMs every week thanking me for being authentic, and I take that to heart. 

There is no right or wrong when it comes to an author’s decision to use a pen name or not. While their heart was in the right place with their DM and a pen name is the right choice for them, a pen name isn’t the route I’ll be taking.  

Will my granny probably read some of my spicy romance scenes? She sure will. So will my aunts, cousins, friends. I’ll admit, I might blush a little, but I put my name on those books for a reason. 

I’m Sarah Wyland, author. 

See you on your bookshelf soon.