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A writer I know has the same name as a well-known one. Both write material dealing with similar issues. The writer I know is looking at potential publisher interest in her book, but so far it's through a third party (not an agent) and there's been no direct contact between writer and publisher at this point. She's concerned that her name might be a hindrance, even though it is her real name.
My layman's take is that she has the legal right to use her legal name, but publishers might balk because of the marketing issues involved. Including a middle initial would help differentiate, but I don't know if this person has one.
Any thoughts, advice, etc., are much appreciated! Thanks.
My layman's take is that she has the legal right to use her legal name, but publishers might balk because of the marketing issues involved. Including a middle initial would help differentiate, but I don't know if this person has one.
Any thoughts, advice, etc., are much appreciated! Thanks.
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Re: Identical Real-Name Dilemma
Sat, May 10, 2008 - 9:48 PMWhich author published first? Which one has published more? Is your friend dead certain the interested publisher knows for a fact that your friend is not the Well-Known Writer?
The marketing issues are very real. (Believe me, I've been a guest-wrangler for a talk show.) The well-known one will not want a media interviewer asking questions about a book she did not write! If the two writers deal with simliar issues, adding a middle initial may not be enough.
I would encourage the less-well-known writer to conjure a pseudonym, and make sure the interested publisher knows that it will be on the book's title page. -
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Re: Identical Real-Name Dilemma
Sun, May 11, 2008 - 7:04 AMThanks! The writer I know (who is just starting to look into getting her material published) is thinking of using her grandmother's maiden name. The well-known writer has been publishing for decades.
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