What’s in a pen name?

Great title, isn’t it? I bet you’ve never seen anyone use a (modified) Shakespeare quote in normal language or in a blog/blog title before, have you?

Ain’t I clever?

Anyway, back to the topic at hand: pen names.

This is something that I’ve been contemplating for awhile, now, especially after joining the Artist’s Retreat.

I chose to be called “Lucius Antony” on that site (and, ultimately, here) because I liked the name and it has been something that I’ve used in reference to myself for a few years in various (albeit limited) capacity.

But, the question is, do I really want to “brand myself” with that name? I have no problem with my real name, and would actually like to see my name in print.

However, “Lucius Antony” might stand out better than my real name and I will always know that “Lucius Antony” is me. And, as a journalist, I’ll see my name in print often enough. It might actually help in that aspect, should a journalist be known as a fiction writer, as well? I’m sure more than a few have.

However, I’ve already been creating something of a “brand name” around Lucius Antony, just by posting on this blog (read by Heaven knows how many people) and at the Artist’s Retreat.

I suppose it’s all a start.