I'm working on treatments for three history books, nonfiction. I have an agent I met through one of my dissertation advisors (who has had several books published, one a near best-seller--that's a good clue as to my academic origins), and he's put me in touch with the appropriate editor, to whom I showed my detailed ideas. I'm at the stage where I'm detailing outlines and preparing sample paragraphs. That's a loooonnng way from publishing.
I'm going to use my own name on my books. It's an ego thing: I've wanted to see my photo on the back cover of one of my books since I was a teenager. Just never thought it would take this long to get this far.
Then what are you afraid of here? Telling us where you went to school doesn't violate your privacy. It gives us no clue to your identity. Besides we have many, many authors on FR.
If you aren't able to self promote, you won't get far.
No comment is necessary. I'm actually a bit bored with this discussion and I'm about to log off.