How do I Write a Story Byline?

Always include your byline on work to be published

A byline is simply the name of the person who should receive credit for writing an article, story or any published written material. A byline is the name that your readers will know you by. For example, George Orwell's given name was actually Eric Arthur Blair. Bylines are used mainly in newspapers, magazines and newsletters and will appear directly under the title or headline of the article or story.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper
• Computer

Creating a Byline

1. Choosing the right name is important. name 3d sign image by onlinebewerbung.de from Fotolia.com

   Choose the name you would like to see published on your work. This could be your own name or a pseudonym (also known as a nom de plume, pen name or alias).

   Authors choose not to use their own name for a variety of reasons. You might want a name you think sounds better, or maybe you just want to remain anonymous. Mark Twain's real name was actually Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Twain used his original name on his earlier newspaper reports and then changed his byline to Mark Twain. He also used other pseudonyms such as "Sieur Louis de Conte" for his book 'Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc' (1896) and "Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass" for 'The Adventures of Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass' (1928).

2. Published authors sometimes use pseudonyms. pile of books image by Melinda Nagy from Fotolia.com

   Write or type this name under the title of your piece. If you are known by a different name in life make sure your publisher or editor understands this and only publishes the name that you have specified as your byline.

3. Your readers will know you from your byline. reading image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com

   Choose different bylines for different kinds of work.

   If you write about widely varying subject matter, for instance; you write science fiction but also have a column as an agony aunt, you can choose choose two different bylines that suit the job at hand. For instance you could use "H. Comet" for science fiction and "Auntie Aggie" for an agony aunt column. The joy of a pseudonym is that you can get creative to achieve the impression you would like to give to your readers.

4. You staff position on a publication can be part of your byline reanding a report ii image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com

   Add your position after your name if you are a member of staff on a publication. For example: "James Bean, Reporter" or "Zelda Zany, Fashion Editor."

Tips & Warnings

• Choose your byline wisely.

• Include the byline on everything that you write.

• Ensure your publisher is clear about your byline.

• You can use different bylines for different kinds of writing work.

• Avoid using the name of an already well-known person.

References

• William Shunn: Proper Manuscript Format
• Spiritus-temporis: Famous Pen Names
• Tameri Guide for Writers: Layout Elements
• Andreas Teuber: Samuel Langhorne Clemens