Hi, I recently have read a few stories about writers who have sent off their manuscripts and met rejections only to change their name, to a pen name of sorts, and been accepted. I was wondering if anyone else had encountered a similair story, and whether having a catchy name is very important in getting your manuscript even seen. I am aware that it is possible that a publisher/agent will change your name around a bit (JK Rowling) but I did not think about the effect your name could have in getting your manuscript read.
It definitely made me feel happy, Victoria :)
Hehe, I was thinking I wanted to change my name to something else, but after I managed to get an agent's attention. I always thought that once I am in the game, then I can start thinking about doing some changes. I never thought it would affect how an agent would look at my work, maybe I better start rethinking that idea. :P
As a kid, growing up, I had the nick name Fenix, which came from the bird Phoenix and my fascination with the bird. I kept using the name when I created characters on various games and my friends started calling me Fenix (emphasis on the E). One day they were writing names for a competition we were having, and a friend of mine wrote my name down as Fenix. English is a second language for us, and he thought that was how the bird's name was spelled. Ever since, I've been using it as a middle name.
From that I have 3 options available.
1) Christopher Fenix Demetriou
2) The Fenix, or plane Fenix
or the 3rd I use a lot lately to "sign" of my work
3) , which I have no idea how people would read it.
After seeing this post and all the responses, then maybe I should seriously start thinking of a pen name!
Victoria, I think your name is memorable and just fine as it is.
I personally did not like the sound of the name Ruth at all.
Victoria Ruth! Sounds, as a young woman, in her nineties :P
Ruth Limbert, just a woman in her nineties :P
VR Limbert, could maybe work for me, but I think Victoria Limbert sounds the best of all.
Especially since the work I have seen from you is fantasy. I just wouldn’t ever link the name Ruth to a fantasy writer’s work.
Aw thank you both! I think Howland and Limbert and awesome author surnames! Victoria, wouldn't change yours to Ruth :-)