Can I Use A Fake Name When I Publish At Amazon?

Yes, you can publish on Amazon with a pseudonym, to preserve your identity, for whatever reason.  You can do the same thing on Nook, iBooks, Smashwords and Kobobooks.  Don't let anyone tell you differently.

A lot of people get confused because they know that they have to create a "publisher's account" at Amazon and the others with their real name and Social Security Number.  This is so you can be paid.  It's for EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer), and checks.  You also have to provide all your own banking information, so that you can receive the Wire Transfers. But, just because you have to use your real name on your Publisher's Account doesn't mean you have to use it for your author name.

How To Publish Under A Pseudonym

Click the images below, to enlarge and read the details/instructions.

At the KDP, you'll enter the PUBLISHER NAME for each and every book you upload.  This is where you do that.
At the KDP, you'll enter the PUBLISHER NAME for each and every book you upload. This is where you do that.

 

Still at the KDP, this is where you will list each contributor.  That includes you, as the author--with whatever name you want.
Still at the KDP, this is where you will list each contributor. That includes you, as the author--with whatever name you want.

 

Type whatever you want, right there.  Click to enlarge to see details.
Type whatever you want, right there. Click to enlarge to see details.

 

 

A lot  of authors use a Kindle publishing pseudonym. It's not even hard to do. You log into your KDP Publisher's Account, go to your Bookshelf, and then "Add New Title." 

Then, under 1, "Enter Your Book Details," you'll do two things. You'll type your Publisher name, which is optional. (See image)  

Then, you'll click "Add Contributors." In that section, you'll type the Kindle publishing pseudonym that you've chosen, as the Author. (See image). Simply by doing that, you've created your Amazon self publishing pseudonym.

Is There Anything Wrong With Publishing a Book Under A Pseudonym?

No, there isn't. Many of the greats started out publishing under a pseudonym, like Mary Shelley (Frankenstein). (To be precise, Mary Shelley published anonymously, originally; she was revealed as the author, during the second edition publishing and it was than that sudddenly, the work was panned. Coincidence? I think not!  [Many thanks to Cheryl Anne Ruebner, for pointing out to me that I'd misspoken, when I said she published pseudonymously.])  Publishing under a pseudonym on Amazon or any other retailer is in the same great historic tradition.

Whether you want to use a pseudonym to guard your feelings, or keep your loved ones from knowing you've started your writing career, there's no reason not to use the "nom de plume," which is another phrase meaning "pen name."


T'was the Night Before Christmas... 

 (With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, may he forgive my doggerel...)

...and all through the shop,
all we minions were working,
   until ready to drop.

The ebooks were flying,
the covers were spare,
The edits were crazy,
   with "one more thing I must share!"

We waited for Santa,
'Cuz we love old Saint Nick,
But Hitch made us work,
   Waving 'round an old stick!

So slave we all did,
And made all your books,
So that Hitch would say now,
   that we're off the hook.

Come today we're off,
to rest up our fingers,
Our hats we will doff,
   No books they do linger.

But we'll all be back,
Don't give it a thought,
for like all wage slaves,
   we're easily bought.

We'll be back on the fifth,
all eager and fresh,
All ready for you,
   after a well-deserved rest.

So Hitch wants to say,
very strongly and loud,
THANKS ALL YOU GUYS,
  you're the best type of crowd.

Indy and Len and Hitch and the gang,
will be back on the 5th,
to do books with a BANG!

In the meantime don't worry,
if you're in a hurry,
'cuz some poor guy got stuck
   sitting here like a duck.

Your emails we'll receive,
so no need to grieve.
We'll be a bit slow,
but we're raring to go.

Your books will be worked on,
your edits still made,
we're just resting a bit,
   before we all fade.

So please excuse the delays;
It won't be for days;
we'll jump on your queries,
   for your wondrous new series.

We waited for Santa,
'Cuz we love old St. Nick,
And sure 'nuff he came,
   It wasn't a trick.

And as he rode off,
into the night,
I could swear I heard Hitch yell,
   "That Edit's Not Right!"

~~~~~~~~~~

We'll be back on the morning of January 5th; we'll be here parttime between now and then, thanks.