ABOUT WRITERS AND WRITING

Unveiling the Nom de Plume

Black Authors Who Used Pen Names

Inspired by a writing group discussion earlier this year, I adopted a pen name for my fiction writing journey. I knew this practice had been a common thread among many renowned authors.

This post explores the intriguing stories of famous black authors who chose to write under pen names or changed their names during their literary careers.

• Alice Walker (Pen Name: Rebecca Walker) Author of “The Color Purple” — Alice Walker, celebrated for her impactful novel “The Color Purple,” took on the pen name Rebecca Walker for her first novel, “Once,” published in 1983.
• Zora Neale Hurston (Alias: John Hurston) Author of “Their Eyes Were Watching God” — Zora Neale Hurston, a luminary of the Harlem Renaissance, occasionally used the name John Hurston in her works.
• Langston Hughes (Alias: Ray Gram Swing) Author of “The Weary Blues” — Langston Hughes, a pivotal figure in the Harlem Renaissance, briefly adopted the alias Ray Gram Swing when writing a column for the Chicago Defender.
• James Baldwin (Birth Name: James Arthur Jones) Author of “Go Tell It on the Mountain” — The acclaimed author and social critic James Baldwin, born James Arthur Jones, later adopted the surname, Baldwin, honoring his stepfather.
• Ntozake Shange (Birth Name: Paulette Linda Williams) Author of “for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf” — Playwright and poet Ntozake Shange, born Paulette Linda Williams, embraced the Zulu-derived name Ntozake, meaning “she who comes with her own things.”
• Ishmael Reed (Birth Name: Ishmael Scott Reed) Author of “Mumbo Jumbo” — The versatile author, poet, and essayist Ishmael Reed is widely recognized by his birth name, Ishmael Scott Reed. Reed has used various pen names, including Emmett Coleman and G. Bordeaux.
• Maya Angelou (Birth Name: Marguerite Annie Johnson) Author of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” — Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson. She later became known as Maya Angelou after adopting the nickname “Maya” from her brother’s childhood nickname for her and choosing the last name “Angelou” as a variation of her then-husband’s surname.
• Walter Mosley (Pen Name: Paul Oliver) Author of “Devil in a Blue Dress” — Known for the Easy Rawlins mysteries, Walter Mosley utilized the pen name Paul Oliver for particular works.
• Amiri Baraka (Formerly LeRoi Jones) Author of “The Autobiography of LeRoi Jones” — Embracing Black cultural nationalism, Amiri Baraka changed his name from LeRoi Jones in the mid-1960s.
• Octavia E. Butler (Pen Name: Jules Gondry) Author of “Kindred” — Science fiction icon Octavia E. Butler employed the pen name Jules Gondry for her early works in the genre.

These esteemed authors' use of pen names adds an intriguing layer to their literary legacies. Whether driven by personal reasons, cultural shifts, or creative expression, these authors navigated the complex terrain of identity and left an indelible mark on literature under various names.

As mentioned earlier in this piece, I continue my foray into fiction under a pen name.

In a world that often scrutinizes and categorizes, adopting a pseudonym allows me to explore many themes without the weight of preconceptions.

It’s not about hiding behind a mask but creating a space where my creative nonfiction endeavors, with their professional and often specialized focus, remain distinct from the eclectic array of narratives I explore in my fiction.

Much like the authors who preceded me in this practice, my decision is rooted in the understanding that the creative spirit is boundless and can bloom unrestrained by the confines of a single identity.

A pen name becomes a vessel through which I can traverse the diverse landscapes of storytelling without the limitations that might arise from preconceived notions or expectations.

In the writing world, there are countless opportunities to express ourselves through our stories, whether we use our birth name or a different one. Every writer adds their unique mark on the canvas of human expression, and it's truly inspiring to be part of this legacy.

© 2023 K. Joseph, All Rights Reserved

꧁༒☬T͎h͎a͎n͎k͎ ͎y͎o͎u͎ ͎f͎o͎r͎ ͎r͎e͎a͎d͎i͎n͎g͎!͎☬༒꧂

Disclaimer: This post is a product of my original thoughts, creative ideas, and boundless imagination. AI writing and editing assistance from Grammarly and chatGPT helped my story’s birthing process.

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