A pen name, also known as a pseudonym, is a name that an author uses instead of their real name when publishing work. Authors have been using pen names for centuries for various reasons, including privacy, gender biases, or simply creative freedom. Famous examples include Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans).
And now, Keeley Brennan has joined their ranks.
Why Use a Pen Name?
There are many reasons why an author might choose to use a pen name. For me, the main motivation was the personal nature of my work. VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) is an incredibly sensitive topics that affects millions of females worldwide, including myself. A lot of the topics feel very raw to talk about and so writing under a pen name feels more comfortable for me.
As well as this, I have been published in other areas under my actual name. These publications have been in areas that have nothing to do with VAWG, and so part of me wants to keep these works seperate.
Finally, I work in a job where I am constantly in touch with members of the public. I want to keep these lives separate. And on the note of working with the public, I live in a very, very, small place. I want to be able to maintain some of my legal anonymity for now.
Here are some reasons why authors, myself included, use pen names:
- Privacy: Writing about sensitive topics like VAWG can leave an author vulnerable to judgment or unwanted attention. A pen name can act as a barrier, protecting your real identity.
- Separation from professional work: If you have a career outside of writing, a pen name allows you to keep that separate. For example, I have a professional role that I’d prefer to keep distinct from the work I do under Keeley Brennan.
- Freedom to write honestly: When writing under a pen name, you may feel freer to share your true thoughts and experiences without the concern of it being tied back to your everyday life.
- Branding: For some, a pen name is a way to create a unique brand. It helps in creating a persona that people connect with in specific genres or subjects.
In my case, it’s a combination of these factors. Keeley Brennan is an identity through which I can share stories and reflections on VAWG, but also protect my professional and personal life.
The Pros of Using a Pen Name
While there are many personal reasons for using a pseudonym, there are also some practical benefits:
- Privacy and security: As already mentioned, for people writing about sensitive topics, the ability to maintain privacy is critical. A pen name provides a layer of security and can help authors feel safer when addressing controversial or painful subjects. Writing about VAWG puts me in a vulnerable position, and having a pen name creates some distance between my personal identity and the public discussion around my work. This helps protect me from potential harassment, online abuse, or unwanted attention.
- Creative freedom: A pen name allows you to step outside the boundaries of who people know you to be. It gives you the freedom to write about things that might not fit the expectations others have based on your real identity. For example, I may feel more empowered to write about the complexities of VAWG under Keeley Brennan because the name feels like an avatar for the work itself. It creates a kind of creative buffer that lets me be bolder and more honest without fear of judgment from people who know me personally.
- Creating a unique identity: A pen name can help you create a distinct identity for your writing, especially if you work in multiple genres or have different areas of expertise. If you want to be known in one field but maintain anonymity in another, a pen name is the perfect tool. Keeley Brennan represents a side of me that is deeply involved in the cause of raising awareness for VAWG, and it’s a name that fits the emotional weight of this work. By choosing a pen name with such personal significance, I’m able to craft a unique identity that readers can connect with in a meaningful way.
- Avoiding gender bias: Unfortunately, gender bias still exists in many parts of the world and in various industries, including publishing. Writing under a neutral or ambiguous name can help avoid some of the stereotypes or discrimination that female authors may face.
- Reinvention: Sometimes a pen name is used to reinvent oneself as a writer. If you’ve previously been published in a genre or field that doesn’t align with your current writing, a pseudonym allows you to start fresh. This reinvention can be liberating, especially if you’ve outgrown your previous work but still want to retain credibility and authority in your new focus.
The Cons of Using a Pen Name
However, like everything in life, using a pen name isn’t without its downsides:
- Marketing challenges: Building an author brand can be trickier when using a pen name. You need to create and maintain a completely separate identity, which means building a following from scratch under that name. This can be especially challenging in today’s digital world, where social media is a big part of an author’s platform. I’ve had to think carefully about how to promote the work of Keeley Brennan while also managing my professional identity. It’s a juggling act that requires time, effort, and strategy.
- Legal and financial complexities: While a pen name offers anonymity, it doesn’t dissolve you from the legalities of defamation, libel, or slander. Writing under a pseudonym doesn’t give you the right to publish untrue, harmful, or offensive content. Even if I’m writing as Keeley Brennan, I’m still legally accountable for what I say. Contracts, royalties, and publishing rights will still be tied to my real name, which means I need to ensure that all legal documents are in order. If you’re writing something sensitive or controversial, it’s essential to be cautious and fact-check to avoid legal troubles.
- Anonymity can be a double-edged sword: While anonymity offers protection, it can also create distance between you and your readers. Readers often like to connect with the person behind the words, and using a pen name can sometimes feel like a barrier. There’s also the risk of feeling disconnected from your own work, especially if the pen name starts to take on a life of its own. It’s important to remain authentic, even if writing under a pseudonym, to ensure that your voice still comes through.
- Consistency and extra work: Maintaining multiple identities can become a logistical headache. You’ll need to manage separate social media accounts, websites, and author platforms for each identity. This requires a lot of time and energy, especially if both identities have active publishing schedules. For me, I have to carefully manage my Keeley Brennan identity, which can feel like balancing two different careers at times.
- It’s not a shield for bad behaviour: It’s important to remember that a pen name isn’t about deceiving your audience or giving you an excuse to behave badly. You can’t use a pen name to hide behind if you’re being disrespectful, inflammatory, or just plain mean. A pseudonym doesn’t exempt you from being responsible for your words and actions. The goal should never be to deceive or mislead your readers. Instead, it’s about creating a space for your writing where you feel safe and protected, without crossing ethical lines.
How I Chose My Pen Name
Ok, onto the juicy studd: how I came up with the name Keeley Brennan. When choosing a pen name, I wanted something that held personal meaning but still resonated with my writing on VAWG.
Keeley means “beautiful,” and Brennan means “sorrow” or “drop” in Irish. At first glance, that might seem contradictory – but I find it fitting. VAWG is a painful, sorrowful subject, but my goal is to create something beautiful from that sorrow. By sharing experiences, I hope to inspire change, raise awareness, and help other women and girls feel less alone in their struggles.
That oxymoron of beauty and sadness felt like the perfect reflection of my writing. It reminds me that even in the darkest experiences, there can be moments of hope, healing, and resilience.
How to Choose Your Pen Name
If you’re considering a pen name for your writing, here are a few tips on how to choose one that fits you:
- Consider the meaning: Like I did with Keeley Brennan, think about what personal meaning your pen name might have. Does it reflect the themes of your work or your own experiences?
- Research the name: Make sure the name you choose isn’t already being used by another writer or public figure. You want to ensure your pen name is unique.
- Say it out loud: Make sure it sounds good! You’ll be using this name for your public-facing work, so it should be something that rolls off the tongue easily.
- Think about branding: Consider how the name will look on book covers, websites, and social media profiles. Is it easy to remember? Does it stand out?
You could go for something completely different from your real name or choose a variation, like using your middle name or a family name. Whatever you choose, make sure it feels authentic to you and your writing.
Final Thoughts
Writing about VAWG is a deeply personal and sometimes painful journey, and having a pen name has given me the space and freedom to do that work in a way that feels safe. Keeley Brennan isn’t just a pseudonym; it’s a reflection of my experiences, my hopes for change, and the stories I want to share.
If you’re considering using a pen name, remember it’s not just about hiding who you are—it’s about giving yourself the creative space to write in a way that feels true to you. Whether you’re writing about tough personal experiences, tackling controversial issues, or simply exploring new creative paths, a pen name can offer the freedom and security to do so.
For me, Keeley Brennan is a bridge between beauty and sorrow, a reminder that even the most difficult experiences can inspire something meaningful.
