To merge or not to merge author with/without middle name?

[Dylan]

So, there is this scifi author whose bio I just polished: Charlie Jane Anders

Only to find there is another bio for her: Charlie Anders

Problem is, her older books do have her name without the middle name on the cover (e.g. Choir Boy), her newer stuff (like Six Months, Three Days) lists her full name.

I know we don't merge pseudonyms, but what about listings with/without middle name?

She is a trans woman, so she may have added her middle name when transitioning? (A quick googling did not answer that.)

I am thinking about just linking those two profiles. Thoughts?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Does she publish everything (now) under one name, or publish some things under one and some under the other? I'd merge the two profiles unless the latter is true.

[Banjomike]

There are books under both of the names.

ie. Charlie Jane Anders
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

Charlie Anders
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55...

[Toni]

The question is whether a search for Charlie Anders would reveal her earlier books as well? If so then merging all under the new name should be fine.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Banjomike wrote: "There are books under both of the names."

Right, but is that because she mostly used to publish under one and no publishes everything under the longer version of the name? If so, I'd merge.

And yes, a search for the shorter name will bring up the longer. https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8...

[Banjomike]

A quick riffle through publication dates suggests that the older books are Charlie Anders while newer books are Charlie Jane Anders. Does that fit what we know?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

It does, and I stand by my suggestion to merge.

[Dylan]

Okay, gonna merge them now. Thank you rivka, Banjomike and Toni for your advice :-).

EDIT: Done!