Author Names

[indigotwilight]

I was just wondering what your views are on the subject of publishing under a particular name, be it your "real" name or a pseudonym? I've noticed the vast majority of authors either use first name, second name - such as "Philip Pullman" or "Terry Pratchet", or they use initials and a family name, eg, "JK Rowling" or "CS Lewis"
Is this just convention? How would a publisher or indeed the market recieve a book where an author just wants to publish with one name?

The reason I am asking is my real name is actually Twilight, and I've been considering publishing with only this name rather than the first name - last name convention.
However, as a descendent of the founder of a well known charity organisation, my family name may be quite a marketable one, and if a publisher or agent suggests using this name too, then I have no real objections.

My heart says just publish as "Twilight"
My marketing head says, "Include my family name too..."

The rest of me says, "Find an agent and publisher first, then decide."

A certain character from the "L" place is threatening to beat me to death with a frozen turkey if I do not shut up and write the next chapter. Time to board the roller coaster again. Sometimes I have to wonder who is really in control of my stories - me, or the characters.


Twi

[John Jarrold]

Write the book first. None of this matters until you have a publishing deal!