What's in a (Pen) Name

[Dan Jones]

I've been thinking over what name I should be publishing under. Now, I quite like my name (Daniel Jones), but at the same time it's one of the most common names in the country. There are at least two other authors out there with the same name as me, and a host of other slebs and notorious public figures (including one of the gangsters who was convicted of the Hatton Garden Jewellery Heist).

Obviously I go by DG Jones here, but even that isn't immune, as the sports and history journo Dan Jones sometimes goes by that name. And I've heard that initialled names are a bit dated these days.

So... of the various combinations of my name, which do people think is the best?

If you think "other" stick it up on the thread please!

 

[Ragandar]

I like Daniel G. Jones. It looks really neat, in my opinion.

It has the full name, which does appear to be more fashionable nowadays, but it still has the G. as both an identifying and a mysterious factor.

I always feel like a name with an initial has a little bit of an edge. The same with @Brian Turner's name on the forums. Brian G. Turner immediately intrigued me more than just Brian Turner.

I don't know. Maybe I'm just a bit of a weirdo, heh.

 

[VinceK]

I like Daniel G Jones as well. Whatever you do, don't make my mistake and use a pseudonym and then change your mind. Even though I only briefly published on Amazon and there has never been an ISBN attached to the pseudonym, GoodReads refused to remove it. Hence I have two authors associated with my novel on GoodReads.

 

[The Big Peat]

The Real Dan Jones.

...

I think Daniel G Jones probably works best given your reasoning.

 

[Phyrebrat]

I like Dan Jones for pattern and rhythm. I like most of them except the G one.

I wouldn't get too entrenched in in making yourself too singular or unique even. Other writer names are rather common, too. Stephen and King (which he changed to on purpose!) Dan and Brown.

At least there's not a play about your death (The Late Christopher Bean) in which the eponymous character is a real passive and unlike able d***)

pH

 

[Dan Jones]

At least there's not a play about your death (The Late Christopher Bean) in which the eponymous character is a real passive and unlike able d***)

Hah! I'm sure there probably is.

EDIT: (if not, you could always write it...)

 

[HareBrain]

Grover Byke

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I like Dan. It's friendly and approachable.

 

[Dan Jones]

Grover Byke

Now there's a good idea. My next book could be called "Me Eyes, Me Eyes!"

I like Dan. It's friendly and approachable.

Well we certainly wouldn't want that, would we?!

 

[The Judge]

Daniel G Jones sounds American, which might or might not be a good thing.

DG Jones sounds like you're female who is too proud to lie, but doesn't want to trumpet her femaleness in case her young male readership would object to reading a book by a woman.

Dan Jones sounds very can-do and heroic in a leading man kind of way, and very much like a thriller writer.

Daniel Jones sounds a lot more more sensitive and intelligent.

So, which persona would actually fit both you and your novels?!

 

[The Big Peat]

I'm going to flip-flop a little. I think Daniel G Jones works given your reasoning but its the last on the list I'd pick. Just doesn't sound right.

 

[The Judge]

As to alternatives:

D Gideon** Jones. That has none of the feel of the others, and passes Ragandar's intriguing test.


** I'm assuming that's your middle name! If it's George, change it...

 

[Dan Jones]

My middle name is Golden, in case you were wondering.

 

[Phyrebrat]

As in Goldeneye I assume...

(We all know you're a spy. Spy, why don't you come clean, spy?)



pH

 

[Brian G Turner]

My middle name is Golden, in case you were wondering.

That sounds fantastic for a writer - got to be some way you can use that?

 

[VinceK]

Continuing on from @The Judge:

Quantum Shadow (thriller) - Dan Jones
Where the sheep roam (literary ficton) - Daniel Jones
House of Green (sci-fi epic) - Daniel G Jones
A history of washing machines (factual) - D.G. Jones

 

[Dan Jones]

The masses have spoken. It's looking more and more like Dan Jones, as:

a) my first book (and some WIPs) are thrillers
b) I like to think of myself as can-do and at least partially heroic, even if only in the realm of undertaking regional accents whilst bibulous.
c) It's my name

That sounds fantastic for a writer - got to be some way you can use that?

Sadly I was joshing. Golden Clay is the name of my Super Spy alter ego (the name's Clay. Golden Clay...). My real middle name is Geoffrey, as in Geoffrey from Rainbow. Or Geoffrey from Boycott.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Sadly I was joshing.

You could still use Dan Golden Jones.

 

[Juliana]

I voted Daniel G. Jones but I like Dan Jones too.

 

[Dan Jones]

Spy, why don't you come clean, spy?

You're starting to sound like one of my mortal enemies.

No... it can't be... it's BEANFINGER!