Why I List My Surname First

“Li” is my surname, but I list it first in my bylines.

Image of author (provided by author).

I get called “Li” a lot on the internet (which I don’t mind, by the way). However, “Li” is not my given name, it’s my surname. But I understand the confusion because I always list it first in my bylines.

I’ve used the byline “Li Charmaine Anne” for a few years now, and it’s occurred to me I’ve never…