Choosing an Author Name

When I was in grade school there were 2 Wendy’s. Both of our last names started with P. People got us confused all the time. I started using Wendy Sue Perkins. It stuck! Ironically, even though her middle name was Dawn, we became known as Wendy Sue and Wendy Lou forevermore. In the 8th grade, I moved to a small country school. Gradually, I dropped the full middle name and just used Wendy S. Perkins. I also changed the spelling of my first name to Wendi because I hated the way the tail on the Y looked in my signature. I published poetry, won some contests and began to write a book using this name: Wendi S. Perkins. A song I wrote was also published and played on the radio locally.

I am now married and have one of those ugly tails in my signature again. 🙎‍♀️

I am also a nurse, and my signature has devolved into a quick scribble of WSh with a long curvy tail. 🤷‍♀️ Which still did not save me from the pangs of carpal tunnel syndrome.

While diligently listening to all the past episodes of Novel Marketing available, I keep hearing Thomas say not to use a middle initial. (This is literally my whole identity.) His recommendation and the recommendation of the guests on his podcast are to use two initials with last name or use three names if you are not willing to just drop the middle initial.

I have looked. There are a few Wendy/ Wendi Harrington’s. I don’t want to go that route.

I have lived the experience of the dropped middle initial in everything from employee certificates to name badges as a nurse; and it does drive me crazy.

So, did anyone else use or want to use their middle initial? Care to weigh in on what you wish you could change? What you feel you got right?

Also, what are your thoughts on varying the name based on the audience you are targeting? For instance, I have already published a small number of poems using my middle initial. Wouldn’t it be better to continue that practice now where my poetry is concerned? And maybe use a 3 name approach for my fiction? What if I wanted to do nonfiction in the future, such as bible studies or something that teaches and encourages young writers? Would I want a 3rd identity for that audience? Perhaps the 2 initials and last name?

My husband says I am overthinking this and should choose one name and stick with it for everything. But if that is not advisable, I would hate to use the name for fiction that is better suited to the nonfiction I may produce in the future.

These are my options: