Friday 25 July 2014

BYE-BYE NÍ CHONCHÚIR, HELLO O'CONNOR


You may have noticed that my blog header now includes the anglicised version of my name 'Nuala O'Connor' and that my Twitter account name has changed to Nuala O'Connor too. I will shortly be setting up the Nuala O'Connor Facebook page, as FB makes it difficult to change the name of an existing author page.

The reason behind all of this is a simple one: when my novel Miss Emily comes out next year, it will bear the name Nuala O'Connor, not Nuala Ní Chonchúir. It makes sense. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can pronounce my name despite my efforts to cure that ill. Penguin USA and Penguin Canada are publishing Miss Emily and it will be easier for them to market me if my name (or half of it, at least) is pronouncable.

I was christened Nuala O'Connor. But I went to a Gaelscoil (Irish medium school) so from the age of four, I was known as Nuala Ní Chonchúir. It's the name I have been known by for 40 years. But, you know, change is good and it seems this change is going to help sell my book, so I am happy to do it.

I haven't decided yet if the change will be permanent, or if it will be a (very familiar) nom-de-plume/pseudonym. Time will tell. In the meantime, me, myself and I are still Nuala Ní Chonchúir, but the woman who will face the legions of Emily Dickinson fans will be Nuala O'Connor. May she fare well :)

14 comments:

Órfhlaith Foyle said...

Hello Nuala O"Connor!

Vanessa Gebbie said...

Sigh... just when I was getting the hang of the other... :) May Nuala O'Connor fare well indeed!

Anonymous said...

Ah, I love your name, but how exciting to have the new book coming! Will look out for it.

Emily said...

A change is as good as a rest! We'll toast to the New You later ;-)

Group 8 said...

Hello Miss Ní Fhoighil ;)

Group 8 said...

Vanessa & Tracey - if I had a nicely unusual name like Gebbie or Upchurch, I wouldn't have to do this, but needs must. Great names, both of yours.

Group 8 said...

Emily - dying to see you all later. What a glorious day for the party!

Philip Casey said...

The very best of luck with it, Nuala.

Rachel Fenton said...

To the world of O'Connors, welcome ;) I remember my inability to pronounce your surname - until you explained it to me - so funny I put it in a comic! Very best of luck with the book, O'Connor!

DWx said...

A (Irish) rose by any name will smell as sweet ...

Group 8 said...

Thanks a million, Philip :)

Group 8 said...

Rae - you are the cleverest and sweetest. Did I see that comic?! My old head can't remember...

Group 8 said...

Dan - very sweet of you ;)

Rachel Fenton said...

I think you saw it - the "Link Din" one. You're a dear heart x