Same person, two names

[elstaffe]

Potentially dumb question: What should I do if the author of a book has two different names (e.g. a pre-marriage name and post-marriage name) and two different author pages on Goodreads as a result? Should I just add both authors to the books?

Context: I'm trying to combine four different editions of the same book into one, but I can't do this unless the author names are the same for all editions.

1. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
2. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...
3. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
4. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...

[J.]

Hi I am having the same problem I have 2 copies of the same book on goodreads but with different author names, and I am also unable to update my author Bio any help would be very much appreciated thank you

[rivka, Former Moderator]

elstaffe wrote: "What should I do if the author of a book has two different names (e.g. a pre-marriage name and post-marriage name) and two different author pages on Goodreads as a result..."

I suggest treating any books published under both names as though they were pen-names: https://www.goodreads.com/help/show/4...

In some cases, a book may be originally published under a pen name, but then later reissued under the author's original name. When this happens, the author listed for any and all editions should be the author name the book was originally published under - so the reissued edition would need its primary author name changed to the originally published pen name, with the additional name added as secondary for all editions with it on the cover. Doing this will allow the various editions to be combined.

Any books where all editions are published under just one name need not have the other name added, unless the author has requested it.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

J. wrote: "Hi I am having the same problem I have 2 copies of the same book on goodreads but with different author names, and I am also unable to update my author Bio any help would be very much appreciated t..."

The two editions of your book are already combined.

If you are having issues editing your bio, you will need to use the Contact Us link on the Help page.

[elstaffe]

Thanks, rivka! I have done this and will do this in the future (if it happens again).