I Need a Pen Name

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

My real name is Josha Petronis-Akins (Josh-ah Pet-rone-iss Aye-kinz). I have never liked it. As a budding writer, I like it even less so. This is for three reasons: I don't like the sound of it, it is difficult to remember, and it is difficult to spell correctly. My first name sounds a little squishy and flat. My sirname is sort of convoluted and lacking in grace.

I need a pen name. It should be ...

Male, but not aggressively so.
Easy to remember.
Fitting to an author of dark fantasy and surreal horror.
Natural-sounding.
Not a mouthful.


Suggestions would me much appreciated.

[Traab]

And you dont think Chainsaw Hobbit is an awesome name to fill all those needs? I sure as hell would pick up a book written by a guy named Chainsaw Hobbit and read the jacket at the very least. :smallbiggrin:

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

And you dont think Chainsaw Hobbit is an awesome name to fill all those needs? I sure as hell would pick up a book written by a guy named Chainsaw Hobbit and read the jacket at the very least. :smallbiggrin:

I do smirk a little whenever I read my forum name, but its a bit too tongue-in-cheek for my needs.

[Giggling Ghast]

Why not an anagram? "Petra Nash," for instance. Or "Jonas Shanks."

[TheEmerged]

Byran Innsmouth Carlson.

I'll sign off this board before y'all hunt me down (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bic_Cristal) and kill me :smallbiggrin:

[Traab]

I do smirk a little whenever I read my forum name, but its a bit too tongue-in-cheek for my needs.

Yeah it would probably do better as a random metal band name or something. I suggest whatever you do, pick a last name that would be well placed on the shelves at book stores. Its like advertising in the yellow pages, people dont often make it to the Z's before they find what they are looking for. So on that note, I vote 1Alpha Aardvarkinson. /nod

[Amidus Drexel]

And you dont think Chainsaw Hobbit is an awesome name to fill all those needs? I sure as hell would pick up a book written by a guy named Chainsaw Hobbit and read the jacket at the very least. :smallbiggrin:

Agreed. :smallcool:



I need a pen name. It should be ...

Male, but not aggressively so.
Easy to remember.
Fitting to an author of dark fantasy and surreal horror.
Natural-sounding.
Not a mouthful.


Suggestions would me much appreciated.

I think "aggressively male" would be easier to do, honestly... Kurtis Lester Henderson. Theodore McIntyre. Vladimir Peter Konstantinovich. Bam. :smallcool:

Back to the topic at hand...
Off the top of my head:

Jonathan Sarza
Ivan Erikson
Thaddeus G. Leonard
Malcolm Black
Mary Shelley
Gary... something.

I may come up with more later.

[TaiLiu]

Doctor Doomblood!

...No, I'm not sure why I suggested this.

[LaZodiac]

Josh Parry (this seems the most natural)

JP Morgan (All the good authors have names like this for pen names)

Josh Stewart (this seems kind of good, Stewart is a name kind of like Stephan so it'll make people think of Stephan King. That's meant to be good)

That's all I've got.

[Karoht]

Gavin Levine of Solune Sanctum Publications, at your service sir.
A name I have used countless times in countless games as my pseudonym.

If you want male but not overly masculine, you really need to stick with light sounding names. Quinn is nice and light, rolls off well, and works for either sex. Quinn Christoff. That's my suggestion to you, from one pen name to another.

[Sabeki]

Septimus.... Something. Septimus always conjures images of weird horror things for me.

[The Succubus]

Nathan Parker.

Parker - because it's a pen name. ^_^

[Avaris]

Combining your various names: J P Chobbit

[FrankLuke]

For the first name and initial, I would go with Joshua P.

Then here's what a friend did to find his pen name. He wrote down the first names of every male family member he could think of on one piece of paper. He wrote down their last names on another (and also the females) and not in the same order. He included maiden names for those he knew.

Then he looked around the list and started the mix-and-match. He put two first names together and also last names. He kept doing this until one clicked. He now writes under the name "Wilson Harp." That was his great-grandfather's last name, and his grandmother's maiden name (or something like that). I think the name has a nice bardic and literary feel to it.

As I just published my first collection (http://www.amazon.com/Rebirths-Frank-Luke/dp/1484967364/) of dark fantasies, hang in there!

[Form]

Doctor Doomblood!

...No, I'm not sure why I suggested this.

Actually, if he wants to write over the top pulp fiction this would probably fit.

I'd suggest an anagram or partial anagram. Maybe even just leave part of your name unchanged. I think having either Josha or Petronis be part of your pen name would fit quite well.

[Drakeburn]

Josh Petri

Joshua Peton Kasin

Josh Ronis Sakin

J.P. Akins

Josh P. Akins

That is what I could come up with so far.

[TaiLiu]

Actually, if he wants to write over the top pulp fiction this would probably fit.
It functions? What an amusing surprise!

[Pyromancer999]

Arthur Pendergast/ James P. Geist.

[TheWombatOfDoom]

Pape R. D. Spencer.

[AngelSword]

I like to call my pens Jake. Jake's a good name for a pen.

::goes back, reads post::

Oh. You want a nom de plume. Sorry. >_>

[Drakeburn]

How bout Ron Kanis?

[Arkhaic]

Petronis is an awesome last name. My suggestion for a name is Jose Pedro-Adans.

[Stake A Vamp]

James H. Williams for a British feel.
Ivan P. Trachenbach, for an eastern European feel.
Seamus C. Sullivan for a little alteration
Eliot S. Jansen, for an american feel

That's all I can think of at the moment.

[Aedilred]

"Petronis" looks like a strong, memorable name to me, as does "Akins"; it's the double-barrelling that makes it awkward.

Do you have any middle names? You could use one of them in place of "Josha" if it reads better and then choose one of the surnames.

Alternatively, you could use initials. "J. Petronis" is a good name. "J. Akins" less so, because of the sound of the J and A together. Either would suit having a second (middle) initial.

If you're determined not to use any element of your real name, perhaps try to find another name that's still personal to you. Some combination of first name and surname from your family, or a first or last name taken (but not obviously so) from a favourite fictional character, historical figure or the like, combined with another name from a different source. Or take a place you like to visit as a surname, for instance.

[Ashtagon]

Joseph Ondine

[RCgothic]

What sort of books do you write? That might affect what a good pen name would be.

[Brother Oni]

I like to call my pens Jake. Jake's a good name for a pen.

I call mine "Where the hell is a [redacted] pen".

Back on topic:

C.S. Hobbs?

[The Rose Dragon]

Alexis Wright.

[Felhammer]

- Johnathan Athens
- J. T. Corinth
- Robert MacClare

EDIT: What about Jesus Triste? (i.e. Sad Jesus). :smalltongue:

[RCgothic]

"Petronis" looks like a strong, memorable name to me, as does "Akins"; it's the double-barrelling that makes it awkward.

Do you have any middle names? You could use one of them in place of "Josha" if it reads better and then choose one of the surnames.

Alternatively, you could use initials. "J. Petronis" is a good name. "J. Akins" less so, because of the sound of the J and A together. Either would suit having a second (middle) initial.

If you're determined not to use any element of your real name, perhaps try to find another name that's still personal to you. Some combination of first name and surname from your family, or a first or last name taken (but not obviously so) from a favourite fictional character, historical figure or the like, combined with another name from a different source. Or take a place you like to visit as a surname, for instance.

I would second this. Josha Petronis or Josh Petronis would be a strong pen name that has the benefit of not dissociating your work from you.

[Ashtagon]

Given the Harry Potter books' popularity, if you use "Petronis", everyone will read it as "Patronus". Worth thinking about.

(Don't actually use "Patronus", as that may inspire intellectual property issues, I am not a lawyer; seek legal advice if you want to explore that properly).

[SaintRidley]

Hmmm... Too bad Greg Bear is taken (and a real name), because that's a pretty good name.

However, that doesn't mean you can't be Adam Shark, or Vince Eagleson, or John Manowar.

[Emmerask]

Max Power :smallsmile:

[HalfTangible]

How about Blake Bertrand?

[Arkhosia]

Septimus Quinn. :smallamused:

[turkishproverb]

Max Power :smallsmile:

:smallannoyed:

Hmmm...

Andrew P. Johnson?

[aberratio ictus]

I would agree with the thoughts of Aedilred and RCgothic.

JP Akins. I'd go with JP Akins.

If you take Akins instead of Petronis, the letters can be bigger on top of your books. ;) It doesn't really matter that the P actually belongs to a surname.

[Mauve Shirt]

I like to call my pens Jake.

I accidentally added an "I" and that's how you know I'm 12. :smalltongue:


J. Akins sounds respectable to me.

[Razanir]

My real name is Josha Petronis-Akins (Josh-ah Pet-rone-iss Aye-kinz). I have never liked it. As a budding writer, I like it even less so. This is for three reasons: I don't like the sound of it, it is difficult to remember, and it is difficult to spell correctly. My first name sounds a little squishy and flat. My sirname is sort of convoluted and lacking in grace.

I need a pen name. It should be ...

Male, but not aggressively so.
Easy to remember.
Fitting to an author of dark fantasy and surreal horror.
Natural-sounding.
Not a mouthful.


Suggestions would me much appreciated.

First off, you can start by changing Josha to Joshua for your pen name. I actually misread it as that at first. i'd also shy away from Josh, actually, because it sounds less mature. Joshua just has a more refined feel to it than its nickname version.

[Mikhailangelo]

'Akins' is not too far away from 'Ekans' so you should call yourself Blue. Or Red.

[The Unborne]

Petronis sounds like it comes from Peter.
Akins apparently has relations to the name Adam...

Peter Adams? :smalltongue:

[Winter_Wolf]

I'd like to toss out there that an actor made several movies under the name "Rip Torn". 'Zed' from the Men in Black movie franchise, the big bad in Beastmaster, probably some other things. Only pointing that out because "Chainsaw Hobbit" would be an awesome name to see on a book jacket, if you could get away with using 'Hobbit'.

Otherwise, I'd go for something like J.P. Akins. Because if you decided to branch out into other genres, it might be nice to have a name that can follow you.

[Scowling Dragon]

I have a few:

Buff Drinklots
Crunch Slamchest
Fist Rockbone
Stump Beefknob
Smash Lampjaw
Punch Rockgroin
Buck Plankchest
Stump Junkman

[Death by DM]

Heh heh heh...

Alchemy Ampte
Alchemy Blood
Alchemy Allendorf
Alchemy Ackart
Alchemy Benedict.

If (*gasp*) you don't like the name Alchemy, here are some others:

Baron Lucius (Could be interpreted as a title or a first name)
Rutherford Raymond
Octavius Ogden

In honor of our friend MitD:
Basil Baker
Parley (or more obviously Parsley) Blood
Nutmeg Butcher
:smalltongue:

Also, if you don't use Alchemy Ampte, DIBS!

[leafman]

Josha Petronis-Akins. Josh Perkins
simple, easy to pronounce.

[enderlord99]

I think you should call yourself "Professor Simon Edwards"
Or...
"Prof. S. E."

[Cat Dungeon]

Daniel Drak

Alliteration is easy to remember, and "Drak" is an anagram for "Dark."

[rs2excelsior]

Septimus.... Something. Septimus always conjures images of weird horror things for me.

You realize Septimus just means "Seventh"? As in seventh child...

Which is ironic, because seven is generally considered a lucky number...

As for a pen name...
Kinda depends on the impression you want to give. Use older names if you want to seem older and distinguished, for example.

Albert. Albert jumps to mind. Albert... Albert Cunningham. Kinda feels like an old British dude telling creepy stories. And the "C" puts you fairly early on the shelves. Depends on what you want...

Also, a random name generator (http://random-name-generator.info/) could be useful (I can't speak as to how good this one is, I couldn't get to the one I used to use). Run it a few times until you run across one you like.

[yougi]

I'll second that Petronis is awesome. Also, J.P. Akins has the advantage of starting with an A, meaning that your books would be looked at more (which was explained earlier).

I'll also support Chainsaw Hobbit. Or Colonel Mustard.

[nedz]

My real name is Josha Petronis-Akins (Josh-ah Pet-rone-iss Aye-kinz). I have never liked it. As a budding writer, I like it even less so. This is for three reasons: I don't like the sound of it, it is difficult to remember, and it is difficult to spell correctly. My first name sounds a little squishy and flat. My sirname is sort of convoluted and lacking in grace.

I need a pen name. It should be ...

Male, but not aggressively so.
Easy to remember.
Fitting to an author of dark fantasy and surreal horror.
Natural-sounding.
Not a mouthful.


Suggestions would me much appreciated.

I like Petronis but it is similar to Petrol, which has interesting connotations.

Petrol Akins — will be noticed.

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

Stump Beefknob is pretty great, but I will probably go with J. P. Akins, since Akins starts with an A.

[thubby]

have you tried "penname"?
about as clever as a sack of potatoes but come on, someone has to do it.

[The Witch-King]

Arcana Warcloud
Machete Blackcult
Maxim Witchwarden
Melody Rosemourner
Opera Dragonchild
Paradox Law
Rage Hunter
Raven Gale
Sin Maverick
Zeal Chastity

[Lord Fullbladder, Master of Goblins]

Thaddeus T Thaddemore

I think its for the best that the decision was made before I got here.

[Death by DM]

YES! Alchemy Ampte is MINE! MINE! MINE!

Look out for titles by Alchemy Ampte in about 20 years when I'm old enough to be considered by publishers! (Well, not quite).

[snoopy13a]

First name: Name of your first pet.
Last name: Name of the street you grew up on

Oh wait, that's how you get your porn star name :smalltongue:

[Chainsaw Hobbit]

First name: Name of your first pet.
Last name: Name of the street you grew up on

Oh wait, that's how you get your porn star name :smalltongue:

Holly Hill.

[Kymme]

First name: Name of your first pet.
Last name: Name of the street you grew up on

Oh wait, that's how you get your porn star name :smalltongue:

That would make me Cleopatra Kalispell.

What.

[nedz]

First name: Name of your first pet.
Last name: Name of the street you grew up on

Oh wait, that's how you get your porn star name :smalltongue:

Pinky and Perky Buttfield — I see what you mean.

[Balor01]

Stop dealing with stupid dung and write. If you are good, people will read you no matter the name. If you are bad (probably), name will not matter.

[Chessgeek]

If he wants to write under a different name, that's his business. And insulting someone, especially for writing of theirs that you haven't read, is rather rude.

And I know I'm a bit late to the party, but Joshua Petronis and J. P. Akins both sound good to me.

[Emmerask]

Stop dealing with stupid dung and write. If you are good, people will read you no matter the name. If you are bad (probably), name will not matter.

Being a good writer and having your writings read is not a causality, yes if you are good it is more likely but not a given, there are far too many authors around for that.

Increasing your chances by having a """proper""" name is not a bad thing (well it does tell you something about society which is not good but that is a different beast).
Its also something a lot of artists, politicians etc etc do...

[Ashtagon]

Names can be a very important aspect of presentation. Studies have shown that job applicants are routinely rejected based on their name alone. Actors commonly use a stage name to enhance their "saleability". Given the amount of effort invested into writing a book, it makes perfect sense to use a nom de plume.

[PlusSixPelican]

Here's a BUNCH, for free.

#Wilson F. Reed
#O. W. Duncan
#Clancy Crawford
#Tiberius Daly
#Francis Scott Bea
#Pyotr Mager
#Rutherford B. Mayes
#Emil Q. Wingate
#David Drake
#Xavier J. Gerrard
#Dewey Jones

A couple of my suggestions are honestly just puns.

[rs2excelsior]

#David Drake

David Drake is already a published author. It might be better to steer clear of that one in order to avoid some confusion. He does military SF and fantasy, which isn't the most well-known genre, but still.

[PlusSixPelican]

David Drake is already a published author. It might be better to steer clear of that one in order to avoid some confusion. He does military SF and fantasy, which isn't the most well-known genre, but still.

Well clearly his name is fake. xD

I didn't know that...military SF feels crypto-fascist to me, although my knowledge of it is limited mostly to Starship Troopers and Halo.

[rs2excelsior]

David Drake is the author of the Hammer's Slammers series of novels and short stories, as well as others. He's an excellent writer (in my opinion), though the stories are quite gritty and brutal--he's a Vietnam vet, too.

I quite like military sci-fi. Did you read Starship Troopers, or watch the movies? I've read the book (which I enjoyed) and seen parts of the movies. Again, this is my opinion, but I thought the book was far better. The movies share a title and the names of a few characters with Heinlein's book, little else.

[Intermelo]

Hm...

Jay Hodgson
Joseph Blake
Jordan Taylor
Aiden something or another


Check out http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/ ?

[nedz]

Well clearly his name is fake. xD

D. Duck :smallbiggrin:

[Proud Tortoise]

Anamplaster Haverbrooksson.