Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Just a Clarification

There's something I need to tell you.

Not because I'm touchy. Not because I'm sore about it, because I'm not.

But someday, when I'm published, and you search the small section of Qs in the library or bookstore... when you've found Qualman and whittle it from there to the Js...

You'll need to know my first name has two Ns. Just so there's no confusion.

J-a-n-n-a

I know those of you who refer to me as Jana don't intentionally misspell it. You've probably never looked closely. And that's okay, really, because it's most important that you notice my words.

But I bet now you won't forget.

Signed,
Janna ;)

52 comments:

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Love you and your blog, JANNA!!!! I can't to see your name on the best seller list!

I can't remember the last time anyone spelled my last name right the first time, second...! And can you believe people actually ask my husband to spell his last name...Jones!!! DUH! (Yes, I kept my maiden name KOHLSTROM!)

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

PS Can I edit my comment??? I left out the word "wait" in "I can't wait to see your name on the best seller list! Oops!

Anonymous said...

JaNNa, I can't wait to buy your book!

-FringeGirl

Jessica Nelson said...

LOL I never even thought of people spelling Janna wrong.

I hope you do get famous! Then I can say, I met her!!! LOL

Kristen Painter said...

I totally get it. Just like Kristen is spelled with an En not an In. Names are important. You want yours spelled right.

Jeanette Levellie said...

I relate, my dear. People often put two N's in Jeanette, and don't even try to teach them to spell Levellie. I say, "Just put level and lie together," and they still can't manage. LOL!

I will find your books on the shelf, Janna dear.

Love
Jen

Joanne said...

Oh Janna, have I ever been there. For me, I've been called Joan more times than I care to remember :/

Happy New Year to you too, with best wishes!

Deb said...

Good morning Janna! :)

Jennifer Shirk said...

I know what you mean about misspelling names, JANNA. :)
My friend's name is Debora. She constantly gets it spelled wrong or pronounced wrong.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Bulya (or however you spell it. ;)

Janna, I think it wise to let us know. We'll need to know exactly who we are looking for when we seek out your book. :D

~ Wendy

Debbie said...

Names are so personal. My last name is very hard to pronounce and I try not to let it bug me. But when someone has known me for 10 years or so, it is time to step up to the plate and get it right!

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Haha! Hope! You're lucky to have a last name without a lot of competition--not as many "q"'s! Besides the fact that people will also find you because of your stunning covers, brilliant back cover copies, and perfect/intriguing titles. :0)

Slamdunk said...

I am glad that I have a common first name that makes it difficult to spell incorrectly. Now my last name can be butchered easily.

Terri Tiffany said...

Am I guilty?? Hope not! Many people call me Tiffany. I decided to go by it but maybe like you I shouldn't. After all, I want them to find me on the bestsellers too!

Barbara said...

Janna, yes people confuse me with 'the Barbra' all the time. The one who sings well? (Not really) They just never know how to spell my name. But I totally understand. You should stand up for your name. And Q is a good first letter for an author. At least it's in the middle. Not on the top shelf or the bottom.... You gotta think about those things... Good luck. hugs, Barbara

Tana said...

LOL. People misspell my name all the time. But your name is much cooler.

Michele said...

You're not alone in this, Janna. It's very, very rare that people spell my name right. More times than not, my articles are published with this byline: Michelle Tune - I always, always emphasize that I actually prefer: Michele L. Tune.

I've given up. I was even called "Michael" when being called in school or any other offices.

Hugs,
Michele

JLC said...

I'll look at your book on the shelf and think to myself, "I remember the days when she was 'Jana'." (snicker)

Susan R. Mills said...

I've never had that problem with my name because it is sooooo boring and simple. I mean, really, who's going to spell it Sussan or Susin or Soosan. I'll be sure to never forget the second 'n' in your name.

Melissa Amateis said...

LOL!!!

Nadine said...

My last name has been spelled with one N' almost my entire life, and since it's the name I currently write with, the mistakes will continue.

I look forward to picking up your book one day Janna!!

Deb Shucka said...

I can hardly wait for the day I find a two-"n"ed Janna in the Q section of my local bookstore. :-)

Lynnette Labelle said...

LOL Too funny. I have the same problem with my name. Maybe people just don't like n's???

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Elspeth Futcher said...

This post speaks to my heart. I need people to look at my first name and realize it's NOT Elizabeth.

Elspeth

Anonymous said...

My mom's name started with a "D" too, so pretty much anything with a D in the front I would respond too. Hugs!

Lynnette Labelle said...

Okay, I have to admit, I thought this was so funny, I had to blog about it. Hopefully, I'll send a few readers your way with the link.

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

WendyCinNYC said...

Whatever, Jane.



(Kidding, you know.)

scarlethue said...

Haha, Janna, you know my real name-- can you guess how often it gets misspelled??

Brenda Pruitt said...

I use to have this thing about wanting to be published. But then I realized that I publish online most everyday. That's a blog. And then I sort of didn't care anymore! For some reason people call me Debbie! And I had a cousin when I was little who tormented me, with that name...
Brenda

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I hear you! My last name is O'DONNELL, which shouldn't be that difficult, but everyone wants to write O'DONALD. Ugh!

Roz Morris aka @Roz_Morris . Blog: Nail Your Novel said...

I get called Rose, Rosie, Ross, Rosemary and Roxy. And Loz. Still, on the bright side, that's a few pseudonyms sorted!

Barry said...

You're right Hanna, I won't forget the two "N"s.

ha ha, just kidding Jana (er..) Janna

Now what was your last name again?

Jean Wise said...

Janna - just discovered your blog and like it very much. and whenever I leave a comment I promise to try to remember two N's!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Janna -

Been there. Try to get people to remember there's a "t" at the end of my last name. Right.

Blessings,
Susan :)

ajgallion said...

Well hey, Janna, imagine if your name was Ayesha? I've gotten Alisha (no "l" sound in my name whatsoever);even my friends from High School are still spelling it Ayeasha...Thank goodness Gallion's my last name. It's easy to spell: Like stallion -- with a g. :)

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I don't think I am guilty, if so forgive me. I think most everyone has some kind of identity crisis in their mispelled name. My is... and I hate to even say it...ok I will spit it out...when people put an "h" in my name. I don't want to insult those who use an h. It's just not for me.

T.e.r.e.s.a.

Jenni James said...

LOLOL! I should do one of these that says... My name has an "I" at the end not a "Y"!

I love you!

Jenni

Natalie said...

Ha, ha. You are awesome Janna! I know I mess up name spelling sometimes--I need to work on that. I've done it a couple of times on blogs when the name of the person is RIGHT THERE for me to copy (I've probably done it to you!) It's not that hard just to look and make it right. I think I'll probably pay more attention now. :)

People mispronounce my last name all the time and it gets old. It's pronounced like "bomb" but more often than not telemarketers say "bam" (but the spelling doesn't help much, so I can't really blame them).

Anonymous said...

Okay JANNA!!! We got it! :) Actually, thanks for clarifying that because I do have a cousin who is Jana. And I can't wait to buy your book!

Angie Muresan said...

Okay, that last anonymous comment was mine. I must be too sleepy to know what I'm doing. Sorry!

Lori said...

I always pay close attention to how names are spelled. It seems very important to me, for some reason. Each letter, each sound, I think they matter.

Linda Hoye said...

LOL! It's true that our names are so much a part of who we are. How about when our last names our misspelled? I hate that just as much! My maiden name was Brauer, and I can't even begin to list the creative ways I've seen that spelled over the years!

Jill Kemerer said...

If you write romance, your books will be close to Julia Quinn's--one of my fave authors! I can't wait to look for your name!

Patti Lacy said...

I love your blog J-A-N-N-A!!!!

However, name misspelling is part of life, Patti, Patty, Pattie, Pat, Patricia, Patt.

Sign me
Just Plain Patti who loves having you as a writer soulmate!!

Patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog

Rosaria Williams said...

Janna it is. For someone with a name that is usually mispelled, I understand the attention to details.

Rosaria Williams said...

p.s.
You're already famous in our world.

Kathy said...

Okay, Jana.


Ha ha. Just kidding.

Imagine how much trouble Oprah has had with people misspelling her name. I think they still do.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Janna Bannana. :P

Easy enough.


ROFL. wv is fanquadi.

septembermom said...

Janna, I will hunt those bookshelves when the time comes :) I'm amazed when people who have known me for years will sometimes spell my name as Kelli. All of a sudden they decide to misspell my name. They got it right other times. Weird.

Anonymous said...

I feel ya girl. Sharla usually turns into Charlotte or Sharon or Carla or Charla. I always have to start spelling it as soon as I say it. Scroggs ends up Scruggs.

And my maiden name is Lovelace. Just imagine.

Janna Leadbetter said...

You all and your comments fill me with such happiness! Thanks for your thoughts, and support.

And it's interesting to see how many names and small details (but important nonetheless) get overlooked, because people are just too busy or too sidetracked, or whatever.

Kelly H-Y said...

:-) I do understand ... I've dealt with many a misspelling and mispronunciation of my last name in my life! :-) Looking forward to seeing Janna's work on the shelves!