My devout Catholic parents named me Mary Katherine, with the intent that I would be called just that.  Mary Katherine is a mouthful, so that only lasted a year, and I’ve since been called Mary Kaye, Mare, M.K. and M., among other nicknames.

When I moved to Chicago and introduced myself over and over as Mary Kaye, almost everyone immediately called me M.K. instead.  After more than a decade, I’m so used to M.K. that, if anyone calls me Mary Kaye, I feel like I’m getting in trouble.

I am, however, using Mary Katherine as my author name, rather than M.K., because several female authors have admitted to using their initials out of fear that some potential readers, as in some male potential readers, wouldn’t buy a book written by a woman.

I have a bit of rebel in me, so the prospect of gender discrimination makes me not want to hide safely behind androgynous initials, but instead to have my book cover scream, “I AM WRITTEN BY A WOMAN.  DEAL WITH IT.”

So, I am Mary Katherine Kennedy.  As Helen Reddy sings, “I am woman, hear me roar.”

If you have comments or questions about my memoir, website or blog, please contact me at mk@mkkennedy.com.  And, feel free to call me M.K. when you do:  It’s easiest to type.