Should I change my name, for the purpose of eye-level purchasing science?

[Dorm Ant]

So, I have noticed that almost all bookshops display fiction in alphabetical order, according to the surname of the writer. As my surname begins with a W, this means that I am likely to be on the bottom shelf, should I get published and stocked in high st bookshops.

Retail Science says that people make impulse purchases at eye level, so being way down there could be an issue.

Is there any advantage to taking on a mid alphabet nom de plume? An L, N, M or O surname, perhaps? I considered SW Mersey instead (Worsey rhymes with Mersey), though it has limited Google Power compared to my real surname.

Is this an issue, or is it all in my head? Your thoughts??!

 

[Dorm Ant]

It's Mitchelmore. . . Super long with Galadriel!

Galad Mitchelmore has a ring to it...

 

[Dorm Ant]

I'm going to be RG Worsey. Sorted!

R for Ronny and G for guinea pigs (obvs). "RG" sounds better when said on its own, too.

 

[Julie]

Galad Mitchelmore has a ring to it...

My friends call me allsorts (not that) : Gaddi, G, Gladys (not cool), Gala, Gal. I rather liked the idea of putting Gaddi with gal - Gadigal - but I discover it refers to an indigenous people in Australia. I love it, but in this age of 'misappropriation of culture,' I don't fancy coming under fire.

 

[Vagabond Heart]

My friends call me allsorts (not that) : Gaddi, G, Gladys (not cool), Gala, Gal. I rather liked the idea of putting Gaddi with gal - Gadigal - but I discover it refers to an indigenous people in Australia. I love it, but in this age of 'misappropriation of culture,' I don't fancy coming under fire.

Am sooo jealous your name is Galadriel. Please don’t ever change it.

 

[Julie]

Am sooo jealous your name is Galadriel. Please don’t ever change it.

Well Vagabond, I have a little story to tell you. I changed my name to Galadriel back at the beginning of 1987. I went to school near where Tolkien based his Shires (Sarehole Mill, B'ham). Previous to that, when I was younger, I would tell my mum that she had given me the wrong name. I went through phases of calling myself different ones; FIve and Valerian being the most memorable.

Two years after leaving school, I discovered the above info. Not once, did Moseley school tell us about this author or showcase his work. Anyway, I read all of his work, and came across Galadriel. I chose it because it meant 'woman crowned with a radiant wreath.' Blonde hair, basically. I have a vague recollection that I may have written to Christopher Tolkien asking him if it would be okay to use the name.

Upshot was I went to B'ham Law Courts and renounced my birth-name in a dark wood panelled room in front of a table of men. The main speaker was the dead spit of Abraham Lincoln, I kid you not. It was a seriously conducted ceremony, which I thought was a little OTT ( it was statutory declaration) at the time, but on reflection, it all seems rather quaint.

Apart from parents, no one knew until I got married - the wedding guests were suitably stunned (one was quite rude), but that's my sense of humour.

However, I was not to know that 14 years later, Galadriel was to be plucked from relative obscurity to global recognition with the film release of LOTR. Discovery channel sought me out for an interview (crazy, right?) because I was one of 5000 people with a name from LOTR. I declined.

Weirdly, there's a fair few folk who have never heard of Galadriel, and when they ask, I just say it's Welsh derivative. Some want to play Rumpelstiltskin, which makes me think of this brilliant sketch from Father Ted!

 

[Jonny]

Great story Galadriel, and fair play to you. That name changing renunciation thing sounds quite Tolkienesque itself.

I remember when you first joined the colony I assumed it was your colony name. I remember asking you in a huddle. I have been a Tolkien fan since I was about twelve. So twenty years is quite a long time.

Here's a song you may or may not have heard before.



As an old prog rocker I always loved this band and this song. Oh, and that scene from Fr Ted is one of my favourites.

 

[Vagabond Heart]

Brilliant story.
And yes, I assumed it was a chosen for Litopia name too. Was delighted when it wasn’t.
My son was very keen on changing his name to Tex when he was 9. Quite glad he grew out of that tho.

 

[Julie]

Great story Galadriel, and fair play to you. That name changing renunciation thing sounds quite Tolkienesque itself.

Quite bonkers! I remember I was carrying a bag of runes (as you do) and I had to hand them over to the security guard before I went in. She and I had quite a conversation. That was probably bonkers too.

I remember when you first joined the colony I assumed it was your colony name. I remember asking you in a huddle. I have been a Tolkien fan since I was about twelve. So twenty years is quite a long time.

I'd heard of Tolkien in primary school, but I never read him until I was 18. I loved the books, but I've definitely moved on a long time from High fantasy. I'm more of a Penelope Lively/ Leon Garfield and Alan Garner fantasy. Although Robert Holdstock is a favourite too. Ha Ha - I thought you looked very youthful, Jonny!

Here's a song you may or may not have heard before.



As an old prog rocker I always loved this band and this song. Oh, and that scene from Fr Ted is one of my favourites.

No, haven't heard of it - just played it now. Thank you, I always love being introduced to 'new' music. Father Ted is priceless. I could (and sometimes do) watch that series over and over again.

 

[Julie]

Brilliant story.
And yes, I assumed it was a chosen for Litopia name too. Was delighted when it wasn’t.
My son was very keen on changing his name to Tex when he was 9. Quite glad he grew out of that tho.

Name-magic is quite powerful - especially when you think your parents have given you your name. It kind of cements you in to a role/a place/ a family, and all the history that goes along with that. Fine, I might add, if you're happy with that name. I have to say one of my children is called Kestrel, which I think is beautiful. But, she insists on calling herself Kes; she hates Kestrel. But, if her mother's done it, well, what can I say?

I wonder why your son chose Tex? I think it's interesting to explore why. Was he trying to make himself 'macho?' It's quite a strong name. American too? So perhaps that influenced him?

 

[Hannah F]

Well Vagabond, I have a little story to tell you. I changed my name to Galadriel back at the beginning of 1987. I went to school near where Tolkien based his Shires (Sarehole Mill, B'ham). Previous to that, when I was younger, I would tell my mum that she had given me the wrong name. I went through phases of calling myself different ones; FIve and Valerian being the most memorable.

Two years after leaving school, I discovered the above info. Not once, did Moseley school tell us about this author or showcase his work. Anyway, I read all of his work, and came across Galadriel. I chose it because it meant 'woman crowned with a radiant wreath.' Blonde hair, basically. I have a vague recollection that I may have written to Christopher Tolkien asking him if it would be okay to use the name.

Upshot was I went to B'ham Law Courts and renounced my birth-name in a dark wood panelled room in front of a table of men. The main speaker was the dead spit of Abraham Lincoln, I kid you not. It was a seriously conducted ceremony, which I thought was a little OTT ( it was statutory declaration) at the time, but on reflection, it all seems rather quaint.

Apart from parents, no one knew until I got married - the wedding guests were suitably stunned (one was quite rude), but that's my sense of humour.

However, I was not to know that 14 years later, Galadriel was to be plucked from relative obscurity to global recognition with the film release of LOTR. Discovery channel sought me out for an interview (crazy, right?) because I was one of 5000 people with a name from LOTR. I declined.

Weirdly, there's a fair few folk who have never heard of Galadriel, and when they ask, I just say it's Welsh derivative. Some want to play Rumpelstiltskin, which makes me think of this brilliant sketch from Father Ted!

I love "Father Ted".

 

[Hannah F]

I always just assumed Galadriel was your name (which it is). It suits you.

 

[Julie]

I always just assumed Galadriel was your name (which it is). It suits you.

I have to say I'm enchanted by Faoileán. I love Irish, Welsh and Gaelic words, even if I can't always pronounce them!

 

[Jonny]

Quite bonkers! I remember I was carrying a bag of runes (as you do) and I had to hand them over to the security guard before I went in. She and I had quite a conversation. That was probably bonkers too.

I'm never without a bag of runes, myself. I like the orange ones the best.

 

[Vagabond Heart]

I'm never without a bag of runes, myself. I like the orange ones the best.

Jonny, I reckon your personal Rune is probably Hagalaz, which means Disruption. You can live with that, right?

 

[Jonny]

You can live with that, right?

Disruption? Now you're Tolkien, Bev.

I'll get me coat...

 

[Hannah F]

I have to say I'm enchanted by Faoileán. I love Irish, Welsh and Gaelic words, even if I can't always pronounce them!

(Fwee Lawn)

 

[Julie]

(Fwee Lawn)

Ah, already knew that . . . from your website! But always happy to learn!

 

[Hannah F]

Ah, already knew that . . . from your website! But always happy to learn!

I called a terrier x spaniel Fia (she looked like a bonsai lab) because she stotted through the fields like a little deer.

 

[Barbara]

Names can really define you. I had an indoor pot plant when I was about 14 years old, which my mother named it Limahl. My mother may not have a good track record with dishing out names (I mean seriously, why call someone Barbara?!) But she got the plant down to a T.

@Galadriel your renaming ceremony sounds fabulous, runes and all.

And @Jonny the prog rocker: calling yerself a rocker is all well and sweet, but did you headbang in the BJH mosh pit?

And @SM Worsey 'RG Worsey' sounds fab and strong. And it has a connection to you.

 

[Dorm Ant]

I'll ask the head honcho whether I can change my name on here, to RG Worsey.

"Fab and strong" Gosh!

 

[Jonny]

And @Jonny the prog rocker: calling yerself a rocker is all well and sweet, but did you headbang in the BJH mosh pit?

Mosh pit? Barclay James Harvest were the sort of band at whose gigs we all sat in our seats and listened to attentively, then we would applaud and occasionally shout; "Excellent!" Very good!" and "Simply splendid."

 

[Barbara]

Mosh pit? Barclay James Harvest were the sort of band at whose gigs we all sat in our seats and listened to attentively, then we would applaud and occasionally shout; "Excellent!" Very good!" and "Simply splendid."

That reminds me of a Status Quo gig I went to. It's not my normal hang out, so don't go getting a certain impression of me. I was merely on the guest list and who am I to turn that away. The doorman, a rather grey and gentle feller, gave us each a black bin bag when we arrived. He said 'Please tidy up yer rubbish afterwards.' which of course, we did.

 

[Dorm Ant]

That reminds me of a Status Quo gig I went to. It's not my normal hang out, so don't go getting a certain impression of me. I was merely on the guest list and who am I to turn that away. The doorman, a rather grey and gentle feller, gave us each a black bin bag when we arrived. He said 'Please tidy up yer rubbish afterwards.' which of course, we did.

The Quo were great live, in terms of crowd fun and atmosphere. Especially that pogo thing they did on Burning Bridges...

 

[Barbara]

The Quo were great live, in terms of crowd fun and atmosphere. Especially that pogo thing they did on Burning Bridges...

Oh, agree, they're totally superb. I've seen them a few times. It's not my music though, but I enjoyed their show every time. Very talented, slick performers.

 

[Jonny]

That reminds me of a Status Quo gig I went to. It's not my normal hang out, so don't go getting a certain impression of me. I was merely on the guest list and who am I to turn that away. The doorman, a rather grey and gentle feller, gave us each a black bin bag when we arrived. He said 'Please tidy up yer rubbish afterwards.' which of course, we did.

I loved Quo back in the day. Many a riff did little Jonny learn in his bedroom.

Nice to see they were tidiness aware too.

 

[Barbara]

Many a riff did little Jonny I learn in his bedroom.

And I bet you had all the pedals to go with that.

 

[Jonny]

Still got ‘em. And my guitars too.

 

[Barbara]

Of course. One can't sell musical equipment. We have 1, 2, 3, ... 9 guitars in the house (in all fairness 3 are bass guits), and 4 amps that I know of. I've lost track of the pedals long ago.

 

[Jonny]

We have 4 guitars 3 amps and a bass. I sold my old Telecaster years ago. I have regretted that so many times since.

 

[Hannah F]

I went to a Sting Concert in the Albert Hall. I sat in a box. That's probably as far from a mosh pit as you can get.