NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #19/NN_1992_19.iso/spool/misc/writing/2786

Text File | 1992-09-02 | 2.6 KB | 62 lines

Newsgroups: misc.writing
From: [e-mail] ("Nigel G. Backhurst")
Path: sparky!uunet!pipex!demon!ietech.demon.co.uk!nigel
Subject: Legal Aspects of Pen-Names -- query
Distribution: world
References: <[e-mail]>
Organization: IE Technical Services Holland
Lines: 49
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 01:18:19 +0000
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

>
>The big question is why to use a pen name? Generally, they're a big pain in
>the neck and if you ask me, not worth it 99% of the time.
>

1. To avoid confusion.  I write non-fiction articles and books. I also
write fiction, often with a technical background.  I don't want anybody
who knows be as a non-fiction writer picking up some of my fiction and
thinking it is non-fiction.  Which has happened to a friend of mine.

2. Contractual obligations.  A friend who is a reasonably selling author
has a contract with a publisher to write a number of novels.  She also
writes ``pulp romantic fiction'' which provides here with most of her
income.  The publisher of her `serious' work insists that she does not
identify herself as the writer of the pulp.

3. Social standing.  I don't know what it is like in the States, but
there are parts of European society where writing is still frowned upon.
I have recently failed to get a large consultancy contract because it
was felt that `my writing activities might conflict with our interests'.

4. Pyschological factors.  I use two different pen names for my fiction
work.  I find that when I am working under the different names the writing
style and form are completely different.  At a meeting early this year
this aspect was discussed by a group of writers, and all stated that if
they wanted to write in a certain style they had to work under a pen name.

5. Not bandwaggoning.  A number of successful writers like to use pen
names to:

  (a) test that it is their writing that sells and not their name.
  (b) try new things out without risking their reputation.

6. Tax Avoidence.  It is far easier to avoid the Tax Man if your work is
not on the book shelves in your name.  Especially if it is published in
another country and payment is into an offshore account.  Totally illegal,
but without doubt it goes on.

Nigel

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Nigel Backhurst ( [e-mail] )
c/o 88 Ashburton Road, Hugglescote, Coalville, LE6 2LX, U.K.
p/a IE Technical Services Holland, Deventerstr 150, 7321 CE Apeldoorn
---------------------------------------------------------------------