You Can Call Me LiZa

When I was young I was the only person in the world with the name Liza, well, except for Liza Minelli. It has now become a fairly common name. There are several published authors named Liza, some literary agents, an editor at a publishing house, there's even an attorney in Canada named Liza Martz.

So, why do people who respond to my letters and emails address me as Lisa?

This is not a criticism, merely a curiosity; Lisa and Liza are not the same name. Don't get me wrong, I answer to Lisa; at Panera when my order comes up, in workshops, at parties. I don't bother to correct the mistake when I'll never see these people again.

But people are sensitive about their names. Read interviews with literary agents and editors about common mistakes writers make when querying them. Misspelling their name is frequently at the top of their list. Submission guidelines often warn, "Spell my name right." Needless to say, I double check their name before I send my letter to them.

And, this is what crackes me up...nine times out of ten when they respond it's to Dear Lisa Martz. I wonder if that's why J.K. Rowling went with her initials, Jo must be another toughy.