The Best and Worst Kept Secret in Literature – The Pseudonym
You may know many, but there are even more you would have never guessed. Throughout history authors have been using pseudonyms, or “pen names”, in order to cover up their true identity.
But why you ask? Why would an author want to release novels under a name not their own? To be honest, the list of reasons seems to be endless. There does, however, appear to be a handful or reasons that are more prevalent.
It seems to be a popular trait among authors that are known for a specific genre to write under a pseudonym when they want to try and dip their toes into another category of books. Agatha Christie, for example, is widely known for her detective novels – having published roughly around 66, including a few collections of short stories. But did you know the romance novelist, Mary Westmacott, is actually the same person? There is a lot less pressure (and fewer expectations) on a well established author if they use another name in order to release a book that’s writing style is well off the beaten path from their normal.
Famed Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling just published under the name Robert Galbraith for the exact same reason.
Similarly, some authors use pseudonyms to express their alternate personality. Originally Stephen King created the pen name Richard Bachman in order to release more than one book a year and not over saturate the market with his “brand.” However, in a recent forward he wrote for the Bachman book The Running Man, King states that the alternate name turned into something else. Richard Bachman became almost like a real living, breathing person. He had the guts to write and say things King did not. Stephen King went to somewhat extensive length to keep his pseudonym under wraps, but when he could no longer hide the truth, Richard Bachman conveniently died. He died of “cancer of the pseudonym” to be more exact. Author humor is truly rather clever. King often resurrects his other half when needed in the form of “lost” manuscripts that have just been brought to light.
Benjamin Franklin and the Brontë Sisters used pen names when writing in order to work around the system.
To be more specific, after being denied publication, a young Ben Franklin started writing and submitting work to the New-England Courant under the name Mrs. Silence Dogood.
Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë all adopted male pseudonyms during their time because women were not allowed to publish in 19th century England. Going under the names Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell, the three sisters published truly amazing work. Charlotte’s Jane Erye and Emily’s Wuthering Heights were originally published under their male pen names.
Honestly, if you have the free time, scroll through the list of known author pseudonyms and pennames on Wikipedia. You may be surprised who you find on the list, especially who appears on there multiple times.
Link below are provided if you wish to read about more authors and their alternate pen names!
http://bookriot.com/2013/07/17/fear-of-flash-gordon-and-sibling-rivalry-why-authors-use-pen-names/
http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2011/1130/Mark-Twain-and-29-other-great-pseudonyms/Author-pseudonyms
http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/stories/8-famous-authors-who-used-secret-pseudonyms
http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/07/15/famous-authors-with-secret-pseudonyms/slide/charlotte-emily-and-anne-brontë-currer-ellis-and-acton-bell/
