use of pseudonyms

[elevatorpitch]

I am sorry if this has been asked before, but when you send your submission and the agent has asked you to put the name of author and novel in the subject headings, do you put your real name or the pseudonym you want to use?

I would like to use a pseudonym because I have a very unusual surname and would like to retain privacy.

I also wondered about marketing, how do publishers view authors who use pseudonyms not wanting to get involved personally in marketing?

Thanks!

heyyyy thats the spirit!

good luck with your subs- luna might be able to correct me but i think a lot of agents/publishers are wrappedup in lobdon book week so it might take some time...

Why not go to London Book Fair if you can and take a look around?

I have had a look at the website and it looks great, but I wouldn't be able to go this year. Do you go and do you enjoy it? Is the main benefit for not yet published authors just to get a feel for what is going on?

Hello!

London Book Fair is mainly an industry thing. It's a week when books are bought and sold by publishers. That's literally what it is. They've added some consumer stuff in recent years but I wouldn't say it's a must do. Authors don't go. It's for agents, editors and publishers on the whole.

@helmetbymidnight means it's a bad time of year to send out a ms and you won't get a reply for weeks. In fact it's THE busiest time of year in the book industry calendar. Agents will be focussed on doing deals and having meetings in the weeks leading up to it and then during the week itself. I doubt an agent would get to a new submission until a week or two after it ends. And their inboxes will be very clogged up and you could get lost. I would advise waiting until afterwards. If you've already sent, don't chase until well after the fair.

Thanks luna and thank you very much helmet for mentioning the fair and that agents will be busy

luna according to the website there are seminars and things for authors though?

Just to be clear, I have about six weeks of vindicated procrastination now, before I press the send button? Sending it today would not be a good idea?

Thanks!!

It's next week. So I would personally give it until the following week to send.

If the seminars interest you, go ahead! I just wouldn't call it any more helpful than any other of the many talks and events available aimed at authors e.g. literary festivals. You probably have been to a few of those already.

Thanks luna. No no, the question about talks etc was because I was interested generally - I can't go, I am too far away and have dc commitments. In fact, I haven't been to any talks or events! But I have been doing more googling about how it all works, and I really appreciate all the input.

Well in that case I would say have a look at talks by authors in your local bookshops (often free). Hearing authors talk about their writing techniques and publishing experiences can be invaluable. Same at festivals. This kind of thing is also good for finding out about new books. I think all good writers read widely and critically and learn from others. Wishing you much luck with your submission!

Thank you that is very kind!

I don't bother with LBF - as Luna said, it's mainly industry, but fun if you like to go and get a feel for the publishing buzz. I do suggest you look up other writers you admire on YouTube, old interviews and archives, and listen to what they have to say.

And definitely don't send anything out now. It's bad timing. You can ask your local library to get you the latest copy of the Writer & Artists Yearbook. If they have to bring it in specially for you they will charge you one pound. Libraries totally rock.

Apart from that, I've always said that anybody who thinks they want to be a writer should just buy themselves a typewriter and smash their head against it until the blood runs into their eyes. It's a lot less painful.

Apart from that, I've always said that anybody who thinks they want to be a writer should just buy themselves a typewriter and smash their head against it until the blood runs into their eyes. It's a lot less painful

You don't really feel like that, do you?! It sounds extremely painful from the publishing point of view, but you must love using your brain for the writing bit?

I don't feel I can justify the time spent unless it makes money though, for sure.

elevator, honestly, you need to approach writing the same way you would approach a career being an artist — in the knowledge that you won’t make any money for years, even if you eventually break through, and that’s a small group.

I know quite a few high- profile writers, including two veterans on this year’s Women’s Prize list and not one can make a living solely from writing.

Some stats:

publishingperspectives.com/2018/06/writers-income-alcs-uk-survey-2010-publishers-association/

Hi op, I have a pseudonym and the writing world literally knows me by no other (well, they don't know me at all yey!)

I set up an email address under my pen name and everything I submit I use that name. So my submittable account is that email, everything to do with writing, any online magazines all go to that email address . I love this, separates my two different worlds very well. I did it just to save the confusion your talking about too. Good luck with your ms!