AIBU to want to use this as my name?

[JaneOrwell]

My parents divorced when I was really small and I don't know my "real" dad. I was never adopted by my stepdad (not allowed) but he loved and raised him as his own.

Let's pretend his surname is Smith (its along those lines).

My mum's maiden name is a pretty evocative literary name, let's pretend it's Orwell.

When I was 19 I changed my name by deed poll to Smith (before that I had my bio dads surname). I changed it to show loyalty to my stepdad, it was kind of symbolic.

Now it looks as if my novel is going to be published (!). I'm using the name Jane as an example.

Rather than write and be published under the name Jane Smith, I'd like it to be J. B. Orwell. Firstly because I think it's cool having a literary name like that, but also because I'm so much closer to my mums side, they're the creative side of the family and I have closer ties with my uncles and aunts among the "Orwells". My mum has also always nurtured and supported me writing, and I guess there's an emotional "going back to your roots" thing there.

But my stepdad said it sounds pretentious. I think secretly he's hurt. What do you think?

Maybe dedicate the book to step df and use the name as your writer's name?

Loads of people write under an assumed name. Call yourself whatever you fancy

I think you're right that he's hurt.

Do you want a degree of anonymity with using the Orwell name? If not, could you use Smith Orwell?

How exciting about your book!

Can you not publish under Orwell-Smith?

That actually sounds quite nice, and a nod to your Mums creative side and a nod to the man that raised you.

It's weird common to write using a pseudonym, I don't see anything wrong with it! Perhaps assure your step father that it's nothing personal, you just want to protect your privacy.
Bloody well done for writing a novel!

^ pp has it.

It’s good to have a pen name.

Could you double-barrel it?

Sorry, I meant 'it's quite common', stupid autocorrect!

Choose a name that will position you on the shelves near someone else who writes in a similar genre and is a best seller. It will drive more readers towards your books.

You wrote it, you choose.
Stepdad is being a bit ... proprietory.

Congratulations on your book.

I like your pen name
Congratulations on having your book published
Is it a novel?

I was going to say YWBU to have changed your name to be your step-dad’s in the first place, why not go with —Woolf— —Huxley— your mother’s name but I suppose your mother had taken his name too? Meh. Use the fun-sounding one as your nom de plume. Keep your current name for everything else. Your stepdad can get over it.

Definitely do it!!

Congratulations on your book .
I like the name you suggested , but its your choice.
I think your step dad may be a tad hurt.
Have a chat and see if you can include him in some small way.

Wasn't the pen name rule something like:
middlename mumsmaiden_name.

i think that's what Sophie Kinsella is.She also writes under her real name.

Sounds like you want to use your mums name as it sounds like you are someone related to someone actually known in writing circles tbh.

I think he is hurt and rightly so! Dropped him like a hot potato now you're a big girl!

Hiya @JaneOrwell

I would use both, so like Orwell-Smith. (as @OhSpaceboy said.)

As you said, your stepdad has been fab, and you changed your name to his, so it seems a shame, to lose 'his' name. And he is going to be hurt, and I am not surprised.........

I am proper excited for ya by the way! (Having a novel published!)

And I don't even know you.

Post a link when it's published. I bet lots of peeps on here will buy it.

Aren't your publishers advising you about that? I know my friend who is a novelist just has his initials surname when published. He write chic lit type books so I think it's so people don't initially realize he's male. Don't they have a shoe marketing department that advise about such things?

Write an absolutely lovely dedication to him in it and let him see it ASAP?

I don't really understand why your stepdad would be hurt. You presumably aren't changing your actual name, just using a pen name.

Pen names are normal. Step dad needs to get over it. You already use his name as yours for everything else. Jeezo.

I’m split on this. I can see how he might be hurt. I can also see why you want to change it - ie to sound more ‘writer-ish’ - maybe he thinks he was good enough all those years and now suddenly he’s not as you hit the big time? Congrats on the book Op. :-)

I am a writer and my pen name is my maiden name, AFAIAA my husband isn't offended that I don't use my married name. Your pen name can be anything you want...

I always use a pen name with my writing, and I know of a couple of other author friends (one of them well known) who use their mother's maiden name. I think it's a good idea, and it's not your fault what it is!