Author Name Change

[Vera]

Hi,

I've been writing on Wattpad under the name "Vera Micic", and that's my name on Goodreads too, but I want to start using a pen name "Vera Hollins".

I wanted to ask how to change the author name on my Goodreads profile without losing my books, followers, etc. Furthermore, I'm changing my covers on Wattpad to reflect the name change (the same covers but with a different last name), and I want to upload those covers here too. Should I change the profile name first and then upload them here?

Also, since I haven't published my books yet (they're only on Wattpad), will my books be listed under my pen name Vera Hollins or under both names?

Thank you!

Best,
Vera Hollins

[Emily]

To change your name you will need to contact Support.
https://www.goodreads.com/about/conta...

If the new books are finished, they can be added.

For the books already on your profile, they will need to retain your former name as the primary author, but you can add your new name as the secondary author. That way they will still be linked to your profile. For the new covers, we create alternate cover editions so that readers can shelve the edition they own.

Do you have the new covers already?

[Vera]

Thank you for the link!

When can I add my new name as the secondary author? Before the name change or after? Also, since my books aren't published yet, is it possible to add the new name as the primary author (since that's the name they're going to be published under)?

I have the new covers.

[Emily]

OK, I just added your new name to both the old and the new editions. I originally misspelled it :( but have corrected it; it might take a while to refresh and appear correctly. Unfortunately the primary author will not be the new name under the existing books. They have to keep the first name that the books were published under.

You are now able to add the covers to the new editions and update the URL and descriptions on the new ones if you like. Then you will need to set the default edition to the new ones, so that they come up first in your profile.
Here are the instructions:

https://www.goodreads.com/help/show/3...

You *can* claim both profiles, but you would need to use a different email address/have 2 logins to do so. When they change your name, you won't be able to edit these particular books and a librarian would need to add future editions. That is very easy though. I wanted to let you know in case you wish to claim both profiles. Support would have to help you with that.

When you write to support I would link to this thread.
:)
PS
When your new books are published and you add them to Goodreads, you do not have to attribute your old name to them.

[Vera]

Thank you for your help! I'm afraid I wrote to the support before I saw your last message, so I can't link to this thread before they write back.

So if I got you right, I can just wait for the support to merge my current profile (Vera Micic) with the profile (Vera Hollins) you created and I'll be able to edit my current books as usual?

[Emily]

That's ok they can figure it out!
Vera Micic has to stay on the books as primary author.
Vera Hollins has to be secondary author on the existing books. While you have your old name, you can add the covers to the new editions I created and set them as the default edition.
https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...
etc.

For these four existing books, both names will be on all subsequent editions that you publish.

Any new books you publish will have Vera Hollins as the primary author and won't be affiliated with your old name.

[Vera]

I received a message from the support, and they said they aren't able to change my name. They just created a separate profile (Vera Hollins), and I don't know what I'm supposed to do now.

I don't want to claim that profile and have 2 profiles on Goodreads. If I claim that separate profile, it will create confusion among my readers, so I just want to use one profile. Do you have any suggestions?

[Emily]

You can expand your profile name to Vera Micic Hollins, which would allow you to have just one profile as it includes both names. If you'd like to do so you can just write back to support and they will take care of it. I'm sorry that's the only way.

[Vera]

I'm sorry, but you mentioned that any new books I publish will have Vera Hollins as the primary author and won't be affiliated with my old name, but I don't understand how I'm able to add my future books under my new name Vera Hollins using Vera Micic profile.

And if I claim Vera Hollins profile, I can't edit those four books anymore but have to ask a librarian to do it?

[lethe]

Vera wrote: "I received a message from the support, and they said they aren't able to change my name. They just created a separate profile (Vera Hollins), and I don't know what I'm supposed to do now."

Support should be able to transfer your claimed profile to Vera Hollins.

[Vera]

lethe wrote: "Vera wrote: "I received a message from the support, and they said they aren't able to change my name. They just created a separate profile (Vera Hollins), and I don't know what I'm supposed to do n..."

I'm hoping they will transfer my claimed profile to Vera Hollins, but so far I didn't receive any response, and their first message was just that I could claim the new profile they created and have 2 author profiles, which I don't want.

[Emily]

Vera wrote: "lethe wrote: "Vera wrote: "I received a message from the support, and they said they aren't able to change my name. They just created a separate profile (Vera Hollins), and I don't know what I'm su..."

I had created that profile by adding the name to your books. They can change your name to that one as lethe mentioned, and Vera Micic can become unclaimed. That was what I had envisioned. Maybe they misunderstood your question.

[Vera]

Emily wrote: "Vera wrote: "lethe wrote: "Vera wrote: "I received a message from the support, and they said they aren't able to change my name. They just created a separate profile (Vera Hollins), and I don't kno..."

Yes, that would be great. Should I contact the support using a new ticket, or should I just write back again to their first email?

[Emily]

I would write back to that email so they can see the history. You may want to go ahead and add the covers to the blank editions I added and set the default editions first.

[Vera]

Emily wrote: "I would write back to that email so they can see the history. You may want to go ahead and add the covers to the blank editions I added and set the default editions first."

Thank you for your help! I've just added the new covers and set the default editions.