How to Write an Anonymous Biography

Use a pen name if you want to remain anonymous.

If you wish to write and publish a biography while maintaining anonymity, change some details in the story and use a pen name instead of your real name. You might also want to refrain from telling any family members or friends that you're writing the biography. If you need advice or feedback, consider hiring a professional editor who will keep everything confidential. The same advice applies to writing an anonymous autobiography (your own life story).

Instructions

1. Prepare to write the story. Take notes and decide on the story's timeline and major events you'd like to discuss in your writings. Note any relevant facts or questions, and research anything you feel you need more information about. Your notes can be hand written, typed or recorded on a voice recorder or on your computer for quick access.

2. Write the story. You can record yourself speaking into a voice recorder and then transcribe it, or you can type it into a word processor. If you absolutely cannot type, consider hiring a typist to type your handwritten work or your recording.

3. Edit the story and change any names of people and places in the interest of anonymity. For example, if a main character is named Mary Anderson in real life, change her name to something else, like Joan Baxter. You can also change the names of cities, schools, restaurants and other locations in the story. However, do not change the plot to the point that it becomes fiction.

4. Use a pen name (or alias) when submitting your book for publication. When you submit a manuscript to agents or publishers, you must include a cover letter with the manuscript. Include your true name and address in the cover letter and use the pen name on the title page of the manuscript (in the byline). Also, use the pen name on the running headers on each page of the manuscript.

Tips & Warnings

• If you aren't confident about your writing skills but still feel like your story must be told, consider hiring a tutor or a ghostwriter.

• Be sure not to plagiarize another person's work. Plagiarism involves copying an existing work and passing it off as your own. If you're writing your own version of an already published story, be sure to use your own words and ideas.

References

• Writing World: A Quick Guide to Manuscript Format