So as an author, where do you start? First, what genre are you writing in? I'll help you out with a list of the names you can use when writing a book:
- Your name (Jonathan Kyle)
- Your first and middle names (Jonathan Matthew[s])
- Your initials (J. M. Kyle)
- Your Full name (Jonathan Matthew Kyle)
- A Pseudonym
Okay, you can see that there are many options. I will go down each one and help you decide. But first, look up other authors of your preferred genre and see how they format their name.
First, your actual name, Jonathan Kyle. It does not sound like it would be an epic fantasy type book. Other than that, it could go for a lot of things. For some context, I would say Jonathan Kyle would be best for Science Fiction.
Second, your first and middle names, Jonathan Matthew. If you wanted to make your middle name more like a last name, add an "s" to make it Jonathan Matthews. This would probably go best under the genre of non-fiction. But it would go fine under others as well. Any name could potentially go under any genre, so this is just a suggestion.
Third, your initials, J. M. Kyle. This style works best for fiction, specifically fantasy (epic fantasy at that). This is probably the only one that can really be generalized by your name. If you're writing under the fantasy genre, your initials is probably the best way to go (unless, of course, your name sounds better). You could do it three ways: J. M. Kyle, J. Kyle, or M. Kyle. The first option is certainly the most common. Maybe not, but it is very common, especially with the more famous authors, such as George R. R. Martin, J. R. R. Tolkien, N. D. Wilson, J. K. Rowling and C. S. Lewis.
Fourth, your full name, Jonathan Matthew Kyle. This is probably the least common option. Only go for this if your full name is pretty short. If your name is long, like Jonathan Matthew Kyle, I recommend you avoid this. Imagine this scenario: your book becomes pretty famous, and someone recommends you to a friend. However, your name takes too long to type into the search bar on their phone. It sounds ridiculous, but it is completely true. People are lazy, and with phones, they will most likely not take the time to put in your name. Stick with something (relatively) short.
Finally, a pseudonym. This is my favorite option, because my actual name does not sound good in any of the above formats. If your name is the same way, a pseudonym is the best option. The options for a pseudonym are:
First, your actual name, Jonathan Kyle. It does not sound like it would be an epic fantasy type book. Other than that, it could go for a lot of things. For some context, I would say Jonathan Kyle would be best for Science Fiction.
Second, your first and middle names, Jonathan Matthew. If you wanted to make your middle name more like a last name, add an "s" to make it Jonathan Matthews. This would probably go best under the genre of non-fiction. But it would go fine under others as well. Any name could potentially go under any genre, so this is just a suggestion.
Third, your initials, J. M. Kyle. This style works best for fiction, specifically fantasy (epic fantasy at that). This is probably the only one that can really be generalized by your name. If you're writing under the fantasy genre, your initials is probably the best way to go (unless, of course, your name sounds better). You could do it three ways: J. M. Kyle, J. Kyle, or M. Kyle. The first option is certainly the most common. Maybe not, but it is very common, especially with the more famous authors, such as George R. R. Martin, J. R. R. Tolkien, N. D. Wilson, J. K. Rowling and C. S. Lewis.
Fourth, your full name, Jonathan Matthew Kyle. This is probably the least common option. Only go for this if your full name is pretty short. If your name is long, like Jonathan Matthew Kyle, I recommend you avoid this. Imagine this scenario: your book becomes pretty famous, and someone recommends you to a friend. However, your name takes too long to type into the search bar on their phone. It sounds ridiculous, but it is completely true. People are lazy, and with phones, they will most likely not take the time to put in your name. Stick with something (relatively) short.
Finally, a pseudonym. This is my favorite option, because my actual name does not sound good in any of the above formats. If your name is the same way, a pseudonym is the best option. The options for a pseudonym are:
- Arrangement of your name
- Variation of your name
- Completely different name
For a different arrangement, try something like M. K. Jonathan, Kyle. M. Jonathan, Matthew J. Kyle or other variations. There are many, many combinations. Think of which one best suits your needs.
A variation of your name works as well, such as Matthew Jones, Kyle Jones, Mark Johnson, and on and on. Alter your names slightly or replace them with similar sounding
A pseudonym is the hardest to choose from. It can be anything. Make a list of your favorite, most awesome sounding last names, first names and, if you're that kind of person, middle names. Combine them to sound really cool, and make sure there isn't already an author under that name. But it's okay if one book has been written under that name in a different genre. You can use initials here, too.
For example, if you choose the pseudonym Kristof Williamson for a science fiction novel, look it up to make sure there are no authors with that name. But if another Kristof Williamson has written a book about the disadvantages of crop rotation, you can still use that name, as long as that is the only book he has written. People will certainly not confuse the two of you.
Make sure you do not choose the name of another author with a few semi-popular books, even if it's in another genre. For example, don't use the name Jonathan Swift even if you're writing legal thrillers. The name is too famous. If you don't know who he is, look him up.
So, if you chose a pseudonym and narrowed it down to the names that would be unique to your book, you have anywhere from two to seventeen names. I fell closer toward the second category. If you only have a few, it should be easy to pick. Ask a bunch of people you know which pen name they prefer. Or, if you prefer total anonymity, think about which one you want to be known by. Say it aloud several times to yourself, referring to an author. An example would be saying "You have to read the new book by Kristof Williamson!" to yourself many times. If it sounds good, keep it. If not, reconsider.
Also, sign the name over and over. If you become famous under the pen name, will you want to sign book after book with that name? Write out your options as signatures and see which one looks better.
If you have seventeen options, you might want to cut down simply based on awesomeness; that is, which ones you really, really like. Then use the signature method.
Another way you can cut down on names is to search to see if there are blogs/domains with that name. For example, if there is a www.kristofwilliamson.com, you wouldn't be able to use that as a name. You could use a dash, or add "author," but it would be best if the name you use can be used as a plain old, simple domain name.
And all of that advice I gave you about a domain name is if you even want a domain. If not, you could start a blog (like this one) and have that be your "domain." So you could start the "Kristof Williamson" blog at wherever. Blogspot, wordpress or wherever you like. If you go for the blog option, check to see if your pen name would be available as a blog.
If it gets down to two options and you just can't decide, there are three things you can do to help you decide:
- Flip a coin. Not because it actually helps, but while it is in the air you know what you really want.
- Do a simple book cover and put your name on it. Which looks better on your cover? If you can't tell, then maybe it's time to ask someone's opinion. If you've already done that and they can't decide, use the other helps.
- Think about it in a different scenario: if you were to legally change your name, which would you change it to?
I hope this helped! Thank you for your time.
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