Choosing an Author Pseudonym

Why use a pseudonym as an author, you might ask? Well, there are many reasons to do so. Maybe you’re shy. Maybe you’re writing really racy things. Maybe your name doesn’t fit your genre. You really don’t need a reason. If you want to use a pseudonym, then do it.

Why did I decide to use a pseudonym, you might ask? Two reasons: I’m shy and my name is not marketable.

My real name is Cory Gardner. Go ahead. Google it. I’ll wait.

You see? Yep. Totally miffed at that guy. That’s MY name. I am not that guy, thank goodness, but rather a much better looking Canadian woman who likes to write. A part of marketing is being searchable, and my name is decidedly not searchable, and I don’t really want to be associated with someone who has at least one hate website dedicated to him.

Choosing my first name was easy because Cora is the feminine of Cory and funny enough one of my favourite girl names. It’s pretty and not really in style at the moment. My middle name is feminine but very common and I just didn’t want to use it, though I did play around with combinations of my first, middle, and initials. It was important for me to have a feminine name because of my genre. If you’re marketing to women, it’s better to be a woman. I know this because I’m also a very picky reader.

Choosing a surname was a little more difficult, because Cora Gardner rolled off the tongue a little clunky. I chose Strider because my favourite fictional character is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Heir of Isildur, King of Arnor and Gondor, also known as Strider, Ranger of the North. I think it flows a tiny bit clunky, but it’s unique enought to be searchable.

To pick a pseudonym, try different combinations of your own name, your mother’s maiden name, or any other special name in the family. Look at your favourite things. Your favourite characters. make a list. Play with combinations.

If you’re having trouble picking a pseudonym, there are generators online that will give you options. You could also ask ChatGPT or another AI, though I’ve found it to be hit and miss for that sort of thing. Be sure to Google any name you choose to make sure it’s not associated with any politicians, adult work, criminals, or other nefarious activity.

Some people will change pseudonyms when they switch genres, but I feel like Cora Strider fits several genres, and many authors don’t bother to change. At any rate, I’m too picky to come up with more than one of them.

Good luck!