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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/40698
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/40698
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

 **Yes...but...**

Yes, of course you can use your pen name. Your audiences need never hear anything different. None of your marketing materials need give your real name.

The issue comes when you need to do things officially. Say, you get booked for a lecture and they set up transportation or a hotel for you. You need ID for those, so they'll need to be in your real name. If it's really a secret, then you'll want to do your own transportation and lodging.

The other issue is how to get paid. For that, get yourself a Fictitious Business Name. As Amadeus points out, this is also called "doing business as" (DBA). In the United States your city or county will have the paperwork.

You need to research that no one else is using the name, and, if they are, that it's not in a field where yours might interfere. For example, if your pen name is used by an ice cream shop in another state, you're good. But if it's used by another writer, that's potentially a problem (though not a dealbreaker).

Then you do the paperwork and pay the fee. In my county, it's $45 for the first business name and $9 for any additional one (register all variations). After that, you are required to publish the notice in a local newspaper. They'll help you with that and it's not expensive, just a classified ad. Your Fictitious Business Name is good for 5 years.

Your bank will need to know your real name in addition to the FBN. Otherwise, you probably don't have to tell anyone.

Original score: 22