How to Protect Your Identity When Publishing Anonymously

Publishing anonymously sounds bold. But for some writers, it’s not about hiding. It’s about separating. Maybe you’re protecting your day job. Maybe you’re sharing vulnerable stories. Maybe you just want the work to speak for itself.

Whatever your reason, you can absolutely publish without using your real name. But staying anonymous in a digital world takes more than picking a fake name and hitting publish. Platforms track you. Files remember you. Readers piece things together faster than you’d expect.

If you’re serious about staying private while getting your work out there, here’s what you need to know.

There’s no such thing as total anonymity

Let’s start here because it’s the part most people get wrong. You can stay anonymous to readers. But not to payment processors, platforms, or the government.

If you’re earning money from your writing — through book sales, paid newsletters, or freelance gigs — someone has to know who you are. Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, and even Substack may ask for your real information to set up an account or get paid. Same with the IRS or your country’s tax authority.

So the goal isn’t to vanish. The goal is to separate. Keep your legal identity out of public view, but show up consistently under a name that protects your real one.

Pick a name that holds up

This ties directly into pseudonym strategy. If you haven’t chosen one yet, start there. Your pseudonym isn’t just a disguise — it’s the public face of your writing. It needs to feel real, act consistent, and be separated from your everyday accounts.

Use a new email. Sign up for tools and platforms using that identity. Consider buying a domain with WHOIS privacy so people can’t see your real name in the registration.

Avoid using parts of your real name unless you’re okay being connected to it later. And test how the name shows up in search before locking it in.

Pick the right platform

Some platforms make anonymous publishing easier than others. Here’s a quick breakdown of how they compare:

Platform	Can you publish anonymously?	Do you need to verify identity?	Notes
Substack	Yes, to readers	Yes, for payments	Use a separate email and bank account
Medium	Yes	No, if not monetized	An easy option for experimental work
Amazon KDP	Not really	Yes	Ties everything back to your real name
Gumroad	Yes	Yes, for payouts	Use LLC and separate Stripe account
Personal site	Yes	Only what you choose to share	Full control, but more setup required (made easier with tools like Writebook)

If you’re just starting out, Medium or a Substack under a new name can be a great low-risk entry point. You can always migrate or scale up later.

Clean your files

This one trips up a lot of people. Every time you export a Word doc, PDF, or even an image, there’s metadata attached. Your name. Your device info. Sometimes even your location.

Before sending manuscripts or uploading drafts, strip that info out. In Word or Google Docs, check the file properties. Use tools like ExifTool or PDF metadata scrubbers to clean your files.

If you’re working with an editor or collaborator, explain upfront that you’re publishing under a pseudonym. That way they know to keep things clean and separate too.

Set up clean comms

Avoid mixing accounts. Use a dedicated email address for your pseudonymous work. Services like ProtonMail are easy to set up and don’t tie back to your main identity.

If you’re chatting with people (agents, editors, readers), consider using a tool like Google Voice or another burner number. Anything that lets you draw a line between your personal and professional identities helps.

Same goes for browser hygiene. Don’t log into your personal Gmail and your pen name Substack in the same session. Use a different browser or a private window to avoid cross-contamination.

Form an LLC if you’re serious about scale

If you’re planning to earn real money and want an extra layer of separation, consider forming an LLC, or limited liability corporation. You can register the LLC under your legal name but operate publicly under the brand tied to your pseudonym.

Some states, like New Mexico and Wyoming, offer strong privacy protections. Once you have an EIN, you can open a business bank account, get paid through Stripe, and use your company name instead of your personal one.

This isn’t required for everyone. But it’s a smart move if you’re thinking long term.

Be careful what you say

The easiest way to get doxxed? Saying too much. Details about your job, city, past experiences, or even your writing style can reveal more than you expect.

We’ve seen writers out themselves by casually mentioning a local restaurant, or by responding to a tweet with their personal account. It’s rarely malicious — it’s usually just muscle memory.

If you want to stay anonymous, you have to stay vigilant. Treat your pseudonym like a character. Stick to the voice and stay on message.

You don’t need to hide — but you should be smart

Writing under a pseudonym doesn’t mean you’re running from something. It can be a tool. A clean slate. A professional boundary.

But it only works if you respect the separation. Use the right tools. Keep your files clean. Be thoughtful about how and where you show up.

If you want help with the writing side of things, we’ve got you. We ghostwrite for pseudonymous authors across every genre, from business books to Substack essays.

You bring the ideas. We’ll keep your name (and ours) out of it. Learn more here.