Last Updated on September 24, 2022 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD
Introduction
There could be many reasons why an author might wish to consider publishing anonymously.
Maybe your work is centered on a somewhat humiliating topic. Perhaps you’re worried that your chosen topic will harm your established reputation somehow. Or, you wish to avoid confusing your legal or original name with someone who’s already popular with a name similar to yours!
It’s a common practice, so don’t be embarrassed about this decision. Nonetheless, it’s critical to understand how this choice might affect your publishing possibilities. Going under a pen name is one way to publish anonymously. Before starting the manuscript, consider whether you want your name attached to it.
Your pen name does not have to be exactly like your legal name; for example, if there are two names with similar spellings that sound alike and look alike (for instance, John and Johnson), then use a pen name that makes sense as far as who or what is being referenced by the book title (e.g., John Johnson). This will help your work achieve maximum exposure to readers searching for that particular name.
By keeping the basic concepts in mind, let’s move ahead and check our nine unique expert tips to earn via books published anonymously. And, we’re assuming the publication is anonymous even if it is published under a pen name.
9 Expert Tips to Earn Via Books Published Anonymously in 2022
You should treat your pen name choice seriously unless you’re writing a humorous or juvenile children’s book. Adopting a deliberately funny or flamboyant pen name may be a temptation, particularly for creative writers. It would, however, probably be best to pick a realistic point if the goal is to remain anonymous.
However, maintaining anonymity is pretty tricky, especially in dynamic social media. So yes, it may be challenging to hide secrets at one point in the future.
That might betray your identity to anybody who knows you if you write a book that includes incidents from your life, for example. But, on the other hand, people may make the connection that way if you are an established writer with a distinct writing style.
Therefore, consider style and substance before writing your book and avoid making any inadvertent author identification choices.
So, you must ensure that your reason for being an anonymous author remains valid.
1 – Go for self-publishing
Since you’re already aware of self-publishing options, don’t think twice and step into it!
Of course, if you self-publish a particular book or title, it will likely be available in all the popular eBook stores like Amazon and Nook, but this doesn’t mean that your self-publishing endeavor is over.
Many authors out there have already chosen self-publishing procedures because of being an easy-breezy method. Publishing a book on such a platform does not necessarily guarantee success, though – as many self-published authors can attest to – tons of them could use more fortune than they do.
2 – Consider hiring a professional yet anonymous author to write your book for you
Much like other writing assignments, it’s often possible to hire writers by contract–someone who will do the work on your behalf and is referred to from now on as a “professional writer.” This includes freelance professionals who are contractors (independent contractors ), working through agencies or placement services (placement business firms), temporary staff workers, and term employees.
3 – Make a contract with a legal entity
It’s also possible to form a corporation to deal with everything. For example, in certain countries in America, you may create a legal entity and keep the owners’ identities hidden, masking your identity as the author. You may then pay yourself after taking money from the publisher. In this option, it is critical to obtain legal counsel.
You may also establish using a pseudonym when you copyright your writing work. However, be a little practice and go into the legal consequences. Even if you are writing under a pen name, you still have to protect yourself with the copyright as per US Copyright Office.
4 – Register for DBA or Doing Business As
That is a little more complicated if you want to learn how to make money under a pen name. You’ll have to form a legal entity under a pen name, which is unavoidable. A DBA (Doing Business As) registration is one of the many options available. Additionally, you may acquire a Certificate of assumed name. Finally, you’ll need to investigate how the process works where you live since the rules for these vary by state.
You’ll need to apply for a Fictitious Business Name or Making Business As (DBA) Statement if you want to receive payments using this name. To be safe, check the specifics of these rules in your nation.
Publishing your book anonymously will help you get it published and can be a lucrative career. For these reasons, some write under nom de plume or pen name, even if they’re already established authors or have other writing credentials.
5 – Sign a deal of anonymity with your publisher
Make sure your contract with the publisher specifies that you will remain anonymous but still be paid under your legal name, even after having a pseudonym. If you are working with a more traditional publishing house, check this. This process should be more straightforward for your agent to help you with.
You may have payment taken care of in the contract if a conventional publisher is publishing you. So, for example, writing that you’ll be published under a specific name is possible, but all payments will go to your actual name.
6 -Crack a deal with your agent
An agent may also take care of this if you are fortunate enough to get one. They can agree to pay you after receiving their percentage from the publisher. While the publisher no longer knows your real name, the agent still requires it.
7 – Create an Anonymous LLC
Using an actual legal business or adequately licensed attorney, you should form an Anonymous LLC and name the company with the pen name you desire. Avoiding “all those Internet businesses” that aren’t honest attorneys is one of the most critical times.
The fact that an actual firm exists versus just a pen name is why it’s critical to create one rather than utilize it yourself. The firm may enter into contracts, protect its copyrights, and perform other actions resulting from this.
The risks are still associated after you’ve accessed your pen name’s copyright or self-published it under an Amazon account. However, this is just an option you can consider if you’ve enough investments to make.
8 – Be ready for criticisms or lack of public credit
I’m not sure if it’s the smallest of your concerns, but I’ll mention it. Naturally, the persona you developed will be credited to your friends and family, who can tell them it is you. If you told the world it was you who authored the novel, there would be little point in doing so.
Since you’re publishing under an anonymous name, you must also be prepared for the criticism of readers or other entities. Remind your publisher or literary agent that you want to remain anonymous throughout the publishing process. People forget these minor details when your valid name is utilized throughout the procedure.
9 – Don’t write anonymously!
Authors, you’re not a bushel (or a paper bag) to hide. Be confident and work outside of your comfort zone. If you’ve decided to follow a consistent business through writing, anonymity wouldn’t make any sense and may create problems for you in the future. Let’s say your book comes out as bestselling! Here, you will have to unwrap your anonymous identity anyhow when you’re invited to give interviews or invited by other media houses.
Final Words
If you’re interested in anonymously publishing your book, we’ve got everything you need on our website! By following the expert yet unique tips outlined in this article, you’ll be on your way to publishing quality, unpublished books in no time! Hopefully, this post was super helpful and informative for you!
Hi, I am a doctor by profession, but I love writing and publishing ebooks. I have self-published 3 ebooks which have sold over 100,000 copies. I am featured in Healthline, Entrepreneur, and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology blog.
Whether you’re a busy professional or an aspiring author with a day job, there’s no time like now to start publishing your ebook! If you are new to this world or if you are seeking help because your book isn’t selling as well as it should be – don’t worry! You can find here resources, tips, and tricks on what works best and what doesn’t work at all.
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