Changed my last name after two books. Any issues publishing under a new name?

[Guest]

I self-published my first two books under my married last name. I've since divorced and have legally changed my last name to my mother's maiden name. I'm writing my third book, and while my hope is to now work with an agent and try for the traditional publishing route this time, I'm wondering what, if any, impact publishing under my new last name will have?

I'd rather not have any future association with my former married last name if I can help it. I'm curious if anyone has any experience with this issue, and what impact (if any) it has had?

[Steven]

Your author name is an important part of your brand, and if you change it, you essentially have to start again with respect to building an audience. Whether that's a bad thing depends on how big an audience the first two books already have, and whether you want to try to bring that audience with you to the third book and any future ones.

If you manage to get a deal with an agent, they can advise you which option would be better. You don't have to commit to the name on the cover of the book until you sign a contract with a publisher.

[Christine]

If you have made progress building an audience with your former name, I wouldn't change it. This is also something an agent could help you decide.

[Andrew]

You can always go part way - use new name but refer to “as xx” in list of other published books inside/on back cover.

Think mistake to lose reference entirely or indeed to depublish old books and republish in new name with reference to formerly xx somewhere which seems to me worst option.