Anonimity as an Author

[Mr.Muffins]

This is way off topic of course, but I need some insight on this.

 

My friend (let's call him Carl for now) is trying to become an author, but he doesn't want anybody to know his real identity. (No SSN, no address, no name, etc.)

 

He was asking if it's possible to:

1) Manage e-mails anonymously

2) To be able to publish his books without any info. (If possible)

3) Have an untrackable/anonymous website? Can it be free? (He wants it to be interactive, similar to this site https://alacrangroup.com/)

4) Transferring funds or income anonymously? (Is this even possible?)

 

Any other resources would be helpful as well. Thanks

[Dedayog]

10 minutes ago, Mr.Muffins said:

This is way off topic of course, but I need some insight on this.

 

My friend (let's call him Carl for now) is trying to become an author, but he doesn't want anybody to know his real identity. (No SSN, no address, no name, etc.)

 

He was asking if it's possible to:

1) Manage e-mails anonymously

2) To be able to publish his books without any info. (If possible)

3) Have an untrackable/anonymous website? Can it be free? (He wants it to be interactive, similar to this site https://alacrangroup.com/)

4) Transferring funds or income anonymously? (Is this even possible?)

 

Any other resources would be helpful as well. Thanks

Pen name

PO Box

Email address made up

Website registered under an LLC

Bank account set up under an LLC

 

I'm sure there are a few other ways, as real authors can comment on.  These are just simple ways to hide things.

 

I mean, are you REALLY Mr. Muffins?  You're hiding your identity right now.

[Mr.Muffins]

@jstudrawa

Thanks for the reply.

 

How about in the sense of privacy? Does this stop anyone looking for him? Or will it prevent people from hacking into his website or google account to be able to find out who he really is?

 

He's also wondering if it's possible to be a 100% secured (I told him already, perfect anonymity is not possible). Is it possible to make a Linux-Tor-VPN shake it and call it a day? (Sorry for Carl, he has watched too many crazy movies and my explanations don't really make much sense to him).

 

1 hour ago, jstudrawa said:

I mean, are you REALLY Mr. Muffins?  You're hiding your identity right now.

 

I have proof, this is my selfie picture...

[Dedayog]

Just now, Mr.Muffins said:

@jstudrawa

Thanks for the reply, all of these make sense.

 

How about in the sense of privacy? Does this stop anyone looking for him? Or will it prevent people from hacking into his website or google account to be able to find out who he really is?

 

He's also wondering if it's possible to be a 100% secured (I told him perfect anonymisty is not possible).  Is it possible to make a Linux-Tor-VPN mix shake and call it a day? (Sorry for Carl, he has watched to many crazy movies and my explanations don't really make much sense to him).

 

 

I have proof, this is my selfie picture...

No, you can't be completely anonymous in truth.  You can  get far enough that no one outside of Anonymous or government agencies can see you tho.

 

That's a conversation for a lawyer tho.  I deal in holding companies and LLCs for the most part, you're asking to never be discovered,

 

If you register all the emails and websites and bank accounts under a few layers of companies, no one will be able to just hack and find him without a shitload of work. 

 

That said, WTF is going to write that needs this level of protection?  Mafia biographies?  

[Mr.Muffins]

@jstudrawa

I have no idea man. He's not telling me much, probably some conspiracy theory of sorts.

 

Although he did mention he could get in trouble with the company he's currently working with. He works as an editor in a small company and according to him, it's kind of shady as in con man shady.

 

I guess he's trying to whistleblow or something? Maybe to good to be true kind of business? Secrets on how to be wealthy? I'm just guessing now lol. 

[mr moose]

If what you are asking is can you remain anonymous from the government? then the answer is no, you have to file a tax return and they can trace where all the money comes from. Can you hide from the people? for a certain period of time until someone files a lawsuit and your details are listed in the legal documents.

 

The big question is why do you want to be anonymous? 

 

Some immediate thoughts without context:

 

If you are writing fiction and don't want the fame then I can understand that, but the reality is you have to be very popular for it to become an issue.  If you are writing persuasive text, then it is likely being anonymous just gives people a reason to dismiss everything you write.  If you are writing commentaries, well the same applies as to persuasive texts, but people will work out who you are quicker because you have to research your topic.

[Mr.Muffins]

@mr moose

Exactly! I don't know why he wants to do all the extra steps to be so hidden when he could just put go under a pen name and not give any valuable info. I mean, if he was doing something illegal, then I would consider it.

 

Trying to hide makes you suspicious while blending in with the world makes you harder to be noticed.

 

I'll tell him he's better off just using a VPN or something...

[mr moose]

8 minutes ago, Mr.Muffins said:

@mr moose

Exactly! I don't know why he wants to do all the extra steps to be so hidden when he could just put go under a pen name and not give any valuable info. I mean, if he was doing something illegal, then I would consider it.

 

Trying to hide makes you suspicious while blending in with the world makes you harder to be noticed.

 

I'll tell him he's better off just using a VPN or something...

If he wants to say controversial stuff and he doesn't care if people believe him or not then use a VPN to create an online blog.   It's about the best he can do. 

[Mr.Muffins]

Thanks, appreciate the help.

[zassou]

or you can doing business for him, using your own info. write a legal contract with him and get going.