I have some words of advice to any aspiring authors debating whether to change their names. If you're going to do it, do it NOW.
Don't be like me and switch your name and your blog right after you get your book deal. I've virtually disappeared from Google! Even my Twitter feed, which was find-able up until the day before yesterday, has disappeared. I'm off the grid.
Thank goodness for fab friends like Sam and Sarah and Rebecca and Susanne and Shayda, without whom I would be totally invisible!
To my understanding, Google crawlers will find this blog eventually. Then people will be able to find me. Until them, I'm incognito! *dons cape and mask, peeks around corner* *steals candy from the bowl on your desk* *empties flask of something suspicious into punchbowl* Mwahahaha!
I can see you, but you can't see me! Be afraid. Be very afraid!
P.S. I got my author pictures taken yesterday! More about that tomorrow!
P.P.S. Look what Shveta made for me! Slide on Goodreads!!!
Don't worry, the crawlers will find you very soon. (sounds kind of creepy...lol) Btw, wrote a little blog post about a certain book. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll be found out soon enough - but out of interest - why the name change? Was it part of the book deal?
ReplyDeleteKate, I decided to switch to my maiden name to keep my writing and teaching careers separate. It was something I was waffling on for a long time, but finally decided to take the plunge. Wrong time to be invisible, right after my book is announced!
ReplyDeleteSo Jill Hathaway will be your published name?
ReplyDeleteYes. Wheeler is "real life" name.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out, Susanne. I sure wish there was something coming up soon for which I could give you a shout-out. Heh heh heh.
ReplyDeleteWhat? Don't blame me for being indiscreet! I'm not even here!
Thanks for the advice! I guess it's lucky for me though that I don't plan to change my name.
ReplyDeleteThat's good, Melissa! It kinda sucks to spend 3 years building an online presence and then try to rebuild it in a weekend. Must say, though, it's kind of nice to be able to use my maiden name for SOMETHING. I kind of missed it.
ReplyDeleteLOL. You're not even here...sure. I can see you very clearly, young lady!!!
ReplyDeleteBtw, why didn't I get an email with those author pics??? *iscurious*
I don't have the pics yet. Just had the shoot last night. I should have proofs to choose from tomorrow and get the edited pictures next week.
ReplyDeleteI changed my blog name per your suggestion, and it took about two weeks for the name change to show. Shouldn't be too long before you show up! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm sad that no one can see you, so I'm going to attempt to rectify this. And change your name on my blogroll!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shayda! I'm like Marty McFly, disappearing from the picture!
ReplyDeleteYou're like a superhero now with a secret identity! Great advice though, I never thought of it that way. Changing names would not be an easy thin!
ReplyDeleteAuthor pictures!!!!!! How awesome was that experience?! I can't wait to see them.
ReplyDeleteSlide on Goodreads!! Yay!
ReplyDeleteAnd don't worry -- when Slide becomes a massive smash hit, everyone will know who you are. Trust me :)
I added Slide to my wishlist even though I've already read it. I can't wait to re-read it with all the great changes you made and with a pretty cover on it. As soon as you have a release date, let me know so I can put a shout out up on my blog. Everyone should read your novel! It's so great!
ReplyDeleteAmber, you're so awesome! It sounds like Donna's got a lot of great advice regarding the book... I just hope I can live up to her expectations! Don't want to disappoint you all!
ReplyDeleteYou will always be Jill Hathaway to me.
ReplyDeleteAngela Maude, you're a creeper! :D
ReplyDelete