The bizarre illusion of the “Pen Name” (and the reality of public records).

Author writing desk notebook pen name setup

Many self-published authors carefully select a pen name to separate their writing from their personal lives. However, once the books start generating income, the legal requirements of setting up an LLC or publishing imprint can reveal the author’s real name and address via state business registries. One author discovered their state’s registry broadcast their personal information, despite efforts to create a separate pseudonym. They restructured filings and used a registered agent to remove their home address from public view. The author highlights the contrast between mastering creative and marketing aspects of self-publishing versus navigating state privacy laws. They ask how others manage the boundary between their author brand and legal footprint.

  • We spend weeks agonizing over the perfect pen name…But the second your books start making actual money and you do the responsible thing – setting up an LLC or a formal publishing imprint – you realize the state government completely ruins the illusion.
  • I literally had to restructure my filings and use incorp as my registered agent just to legally scrub my actual front door off the public internet.
  • We spend so much time mastering Amazon algorithms and crafting fictional worlds, but get completely blindsided by mundane state privacy laws.
📚 BookAddict’s Take: If you’re planning to publish under a pen name, be sure to research the implications for your personal privacy when you register your business.

Source: Reddit r/selfpublish  | 
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