Quote:
Originally Posted by library addict
I agree it's rude. She could just say she is my niece by marriage.
They are each entitled to use the last name. I mean the niece is using the name she has had her whole life. (Not sure if she's married, but there's no need to use her married name even if she is). It's not like she's some random stranger who selected the name as a pseudonym to piggyback on Janet's fame. Whatever.
ETA: I see from Laurla's post she is married. But I still don't think there's an issue with her using her maiden name. Yes it will get her shelved next to her aunt. But there are just as many people who would probably never give her book a look because they don't like Janet's books as there are people who would pick up her books out of curiosity due to the relationship (or lack there of). |
There is a long tradition of women authors writing under their maiden names. Many do it because they prefer their maiden names, or because their maiden names sound cooler, or because their married name is hard to pronounce. Others do it because if they get divorced, they won't have to keep using that crazy so-and-so's name after they are no longer together.
OK, I'll admit that I'm not crazy about relatives using a famous last name when they become writers. I've lost track of how many Tolkien relatives are writing. But heck, it's still their last name, even if it's a maiden name. I also don't blame a publisher for deciding to use that name to get people's attention. (We don't know if this was more the publisher's idea to start with.)
If I became famous, and one of my "nieces by marriage" (what a phrase!) published a book, I'm pretty sure I'd be happy for them, unless it was called "That Crazy Chick with the Messy Basement." Anyway, don't many people simply call them "nieces by marriage" their ... nieces?!
My father refers to my mother's nephew as
his nephew. It's less awkward that way. Maybe it depends on the family.