Question about changing pen name on books

[Elisabeth]

I'm adopting a new pen name and plan to change it on only a couple of my previously-published books. I've been checking up on Goodreads' policies regarding author name changes, and what I've gathered is that the original author name has to remain attached to the book as a secondary author.

Is this required even when the book isn't being re-released in a new edition, but the current edition is merely being updated? I.e., the ASIN remains exactly the same, the cover artwork is the same; the only thing being changed about the book is the author name on the cover.

[lethe]

Elisabeth wrote: "what I've gathered is that the original author name has to remain attached to the book as a secondary author."

No, the original author name has to remain the primary author on all editions.

This is also required on editions where only the author name changes.

[Scott]

Elisabeth wrote: "Is this required even when the book isn't being re-released in a new edition, but the current edition is merely being updated?"

That is a new edition.

[Emily]

"Elisabeth wrote: "Is this required even when the book isn't being re-released in a new edition, but the current edition is merely being updated?"

On Goodreads, a "new edition" is the term used to make a new record to show a book cover change or an update of any kind that is different from the original book.

[Elisabeth]

"No, the original author name has to remain the primary author on all editions."

Primary author? I wanted to put the new pen name first in order, so this book would show up on the author profile for that name.

[Scott]

Primary author must be the same on all editions.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Please see: https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/... (See: Author pseudonyms/pen names)

For books published under multiple versions of the author's name or published under multiple pseudonyms: The first 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.

(emphasis added)

[Sandra]

Elisabeth, you'll be able to decide which edition you'd like as the default edition, so it'll show up in searches etc.

[Elisabeth]

Okay, got it. Thank you.

One more question: does this rule apply to contributors (editor, illustrator, foreword, etc.) whose name does not appear on the cover of any edition of the book, if they change their pseudonym?