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ChuckMiceli · 02-10-2012, 05:00 PM

I am ready to upload my book to Smashwords but I am hesitent to push the “Publish” button because of conflicting statements regarding Apple distribution and Pen Names.

On the Apple distribution information sheet it says: "REGISTER: Sign up for a free Smashwords account, if you haven't already. Choose a "member name" that corresponds with the pen name or publisher name you will be using. Choose carefully, you cannot change it later."

It cautions that if you do not fufill all of the Apple requirements, Apple will not distribute your book.

Then in the FAQs it says:
Can I publish under a pen name but be paid to my real name?
Yes. Sign in, click Account, then click Edit Account Information. If you plan to use a pen name, be sure when you sign for your Smashwords account that you choose a "screen name" that matches your pen name, because the screen name becomes part of your permanent web address for your author page. For example, the author page for Smashwords' founder, Mark Coker, is http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mc ( <-- note how "mc" is his screen name).

Later in the FAQs it says:
"I've decided to change my Pen Name. How to I change it without de-listing my book at retailers?
It's easy to change your pen name without removing your books from distribution. Here are the three steps to follow (follow them in this exact order): 1. Create a new ebook cover image with your new name, then upload the new cover image at Dashboard: Settings. 2. Go to Account: Edit Account Information and change your name there. 3. Update the name in your manuscript then click to Dashboard: Upload new version to refresh it. If you follow the steps in this order, it will cause all the retailers to automatically update your information without interrupting sales of your book, and will preserve your sales rank and book reviews."

The question is, which is the real Pen Name? The membername (which cannot be changed as far as I can tell), the screen name (which can, I believe) or the Account name (I'm not sure of which one this is).

I wrote to Smashwords twice several days ago re. this question and have not received an answer. I'd appreciate help from anyone who has successfully distributed through Apple and has a name on the book that is different than the member name in Smashwords.

Then I can hit the "Publish" button in Smashwords.

02-10-2012, 05:00 PM	#1
ChuckMiceli Member Posts: 12 Karma: 736 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southington, CT Device: Kindle	What is a "Pen Name" on Smashwords I am ready to upload my book to Smashwords but I am hesitent to push the “Publish” button because of conflicting statements regarding Apple distribution and Pen Names. On the Apple distribution information sheet it says: "REGISTER: Sign up for a free Smashwords account, if you haven't already. Choose a "member name" that corresponds with the pen name or publisher name you will be using. Choose carefully, you cannot change it later." It cautions that if you do not fufill all of the Apple requirements, Apple will not distribute your book. Then in the FAQs it says: Can I publish under a pen name but be paid to my real name? Yes. Sign in, click Account, then click Edit Account Information. If you plan to use a pen name, be sure when you sign for your Smashwords account that you choose a "screen name" that matches your pen name, because the screen name becomes part of your permanent web address for your author page. For example, the author page for Smashwords' founder, Mark Coker, is http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mc ( <-- note how "mc" is his screen name). Later in the FAQs it says: "I've decided to change my Pen Name. How to I change it without de-listing my book at retailers? It's easy to change your pen name without removing your books from distribution. Here are the three steps to follow (follow them in this exact order): 1. Create a new ebook cover image with your new name, then upload the new cover image at Dashboard: Settings. 2. Go to Account: Edit Account Information and change your name there. 3. Update the name in your manuscript then click to Dashboard: Upload new version to refresh it. If you follow the steps in this order, it will cause all the retailers to automatically update your information without interrupting sales of your book, and will preserve your sales rank and book reviews." The question is, which is the real Pen Name? The membername (which cannot be changed as far as I can tell), the screen name (which can, I believe) or the Account name (I'm not sure of which one this is). I wrote to Smashwords twice several days ago re. this question and have not received an answer. I'd appreciate help from anyone who has successfully distributed through Apple and has a name on the book that is different than the member name in Smashwords. Then I can hit the "Publish" button in Smashwords.