The Middle-Initial Problem

Now that The Paganism Reader (see July 10th entry) is in production with Routledge (pub. date early 2004?), the odd little queries from the copy editor are starting to come in. The latest involved my middle initial. It is all right to have it on the cover, but must I be referred to as "Chas S. Clifton" inside?

That's an American preference, said my co-editor, the inestimable Graham Harvey.

It makes no difference to me, I responded, although I do want the "S." on the cover because all my other writing has it. Is it really an American preference? I have no idea. But, come to think of it, I cannot think of too many British authors using middle initials.

Actually, I've always thought that "Chas Clifton" was not a good combination for pronouncing out loud. But I'm stuck with it since I picked "Chas" as a nickname when I was 10 or 11, because I did not like being "Charlie."