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Help[Opinions] Pen name
I'm planning on publishing a book, though I'm still deciding on my pen-name.
I set up these boundaries for myself:
A short unisex first-name that starts with a letter near the end of alphabet.
Two middle names (also unisex) that kind of describe me in meaning
A German surname relating to nature, animal, forestry, or smallness.
And I came up with these names:
Scout Beren Kei Forst
Rowan Shea Beren Voss
Robin Shea Beren Wildgrube
Rowan Shea Beren Wildgrube
Robin Kei Beren Rosenfeld
I wanted to know which sounded better, more like an author you would read, and perhaps get more name suggestions.
I set up these boundaries for myself:
A short unisex first-name that starts with a letter near the end of alphabet.
Two middle names (also unisex) that kind of describe me in meaning
A German surname relating to nature, animal, forestry, or smallness.
And I came up with these names:
Scout Beren Kei Forst
Rowan Shea Beren Voss
Robin Shea Beren Wildgrube
Rowan Shea Beren Wildgrube
Robin Kei Beren Rosenfeld
I wanted to know which sounded better, more like an author you would read, and perhaps get more name suggestions.
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Replies
Would use initials, not names. R.S.B. Voss is a much better, more appealling combo than any of the name blocks.
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I think R.K.B. Rosenfeld sounds the best (R.B. Rosenfeld would be even better, it sounds very author-y, but I know you're going for a Tolkien or GRRM thing.)
Rowan K. Voss also sounds great, very strong.
Rowan K. Voss also sounds great, very strong.
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I can't think of any author putting four names on a book, it seems like way too much. Nobody every wants to say "I'm reading a book by Robin Shea Beren Wildgrube." Drop the middles or at least make them initials.
If I look at just fn and ln, Rowan Voss sounds nice, and I feel like it could vibe with a wide variety of genres. Rowan S. B. Voss works.
If I look at just fn and ln, Rowan Voss sounds nice, and I feel like it could vibe with a wide variety of genres. Rowan S. B. Voss works.
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Ignore
This message was edited 1/30/2023, 11:08 AM
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Thank you, if I do go with a name with two middles (which I am reconsidering after looking at the replies), I will definitely make them initials, as the meaning of those will be lost on most readers anyways, and they were put there for personal reasons.
I also agree about Rowan S. B. Voss, it has a nice 'smooth' and literary feel about it. I will probably drop the name Beren though, so that it'll just be Rowan S. Voss.
I also agree about Rowan S. B. Voss, it has a nice 'smooth' and literary feel about it. I will probably drop the name Beren though, so that it'll just be Rowan S. Voss.
This message was edited 1/30/2023, 9:30 AM
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If you're picking only one initial, I wouldn't go with S with the surname Voss. It gets a little hissy.
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I'd just go with Rowan Voss
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Consult your publisher, if you've got one yet. The point is not what you like, but what might or might not be suitable. You mght also consider the available catalogue space. Right now, I wouldn't even pick up a book written by any of these names: they are all too clumsy and unconvincing.
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I agree with everything said here, and I will change it accordingly. Thank you.
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Yes, and also, the names all have strong "young adult fantasy/sci-fi book that is totally nothing like what anyone else has written in that genre, I promise! but is actually a total fanfic/knockoff."
And I don't read YA fantasy/sci-fi, or plain old adult fantasy/sci-fi.
And I don't read YA fantasy/sci-fi, or plain old adult fantasy/sci-fi.
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They are all too long and wordy, and the German parts are meaningless to me because I don't speak German; if I did, I still wouldn't care about any significance they had. Unless you are revealing state secrets or doing a character assassination on someone you know in real life, or an established author writing something totally different from your usual work, I don't see any reason to have a pen name at all. Gone are the days wen published authors could reasonably expect their "secret identities" to remain secret. They've been gone for quite some time too; just ask "Anonymous" who wrote the political book "Primary Colors."
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Thank you for the reply.
It's perfectly reasonable to say that they are wordy, but that's partly the point. They include having two middles just because that's something I'm quite fond of in names (a feature shared by some the greatest authors). It also opens the door to more meaning possibilities.
On regards on not caring about the meaning of the name; that's because you're not meant to. This is once again another thing I done because of personal tastes and need for personalization. I simply chose German because I wanted to honor my ancestry.
And the reason I am making a pen name isn't to keep my identity a secret, but because my real name is somewhat common, uninspired, and rather ugly, and I feel the need to add, I don't think it fits me well.
Overall, the reason for these names is sentimental.
This is in no way abating your criticisms, but I wanted to say why I chose what I chose.
It's perfectly reasonable to say that they are wordy, but that's partly the point. They include having two middles just because that's something I'm quite fond of in names (a feature shared by some the greatest authors). It also opens the door to more meaning possibilities.
On regards on not caring about the meaning of the name; that's because you're not meant to. This is once again another thing I done because of personal tastes and need for personalization. I simply chose German because I wanted to honor my ancestry.
And the reason I am making a pen name isn't to keep my identity a secret, but because my real name is somewhat common, uninspired, and rather ugly, and I feel the need to add, I don't think it fits me well.
Overall, the reason for these names is sentimental.
This is in no way abating your criticisms, but I wanted to say why I chose what I chose.
This message was edited 1/30/2023, 8:37 AM
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I get wanting to honor your ancestry and I think that's pretty neat! Maybe you could also use one of your relatives surnames/maiden names, if any of them were German or have/had a good portion of German ancestry. (Say a grandparent or something. Just an idea) I saw you mentioned that you would be using initials when it comes to the middles which I think make it a little better, especially considering how there's two of them.
My favorite possibility from your list would probably be Rowan S.B Voss.) seems to flow off the tongue the most. Plus it seems more easier to remember as opposed to say, "Wildgrube". Less awkward as well.
Good luck in getting your book published! Hope it all goes well. 🙂 I plan on publishing a few works myself (manuscripts) sometime in the near-ish future. Sometime after winter, or at least get the process going. I probably won't be using a pen name myself if up to me personally, but it would be fun to play around with a few names! ☺️
My favorite possibility from your list would probably be Rowan S.B Voss.) seems to flow off the tongue the most. Plus it seems more easier to remember as opposed to say, "Wildgrube". Less awkward as well.
Good luck in getting your book published! Hope it all goes well. 🙂 I plan on publishing a few works myself (manuscripts) sometime in the near-ish future. Sometime after winter, or at least get the process going. I probably won't be using a pen name myself if up to me personally, but it would be fun to play around with a few names! ☺️
This message was edited 1/30/2023, 11:40 AM
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I wish you good luck on your future book ^^
In regards to the name, I've actually already chosen Rowan S. B. Voss (which is 'The good and smart red fox' in name meaning).
In regards to the name, I've actually already chosen Rowan S. B. Voss (which is 'The good and smart red fox' in name meaning).
This message was edited 1/30/2023, 12:11 PM
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