8 Famous Authors Who Wrote Under A Pseudonym

Writing under a pseudonym is not a new concept. Many famous authors have written under a pen name, whether it was due to societal or personal reasons, or simply as a form of artistic expression. In this article, we will explore eight well-known authors who chose to write under a pseudonym and the reasons behind their decision.

1. Stephen King

Stephen King, the “King of Horror,” is a household name. However, he has also written novels under the pen name, Richard Bachman. In the 1970s, King was worried that his publishers would not accept more than one novel from an author in a year. To test this theory, he wrote a novel under the name Richard Bachman. The book, titled Rage, was successful, and King wrote several more novels under this pseudonym. When it was revealed that Bachman was, in fact, King, the sales of his books soared.

2. J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling, the author of the popular Harry Potter series, wrote her first post-Potter novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling, under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. Rowling chose to write under a different name to escape the overwhelming attention and expectations associated with her Harry Potter success. The Cuckoo’s Calling became a best-seller, and it was only after a few months that the true identity of Robert Galbraith was revealed.

3. George Eliot

Mary Ann Evans, known by her pen name George Eliot, was an English novelist, poet, and journalist. During the nineteenth century, women were discouraged from pursuing writing careers. Evans chose to write under a male pseudonym to avoid this discrimination. She believed that a male name would give her credibility in the male-dominated literary world. George Eliot is most famous for her novel Middlemarch, which is considered one of the greatest works of English literature.

4. Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie, the queen of mystery, wrote over 80 novels, many of which featured her iconic detective, Hercule Poirot. However, Christie also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. These novels were not mysteries but rather, romantic novels. Christie chose to write under a different name to avoid confusing her readers who expected a certain type of novel from her. She once said, “I felt that, having used my own name on so many books of one type, it would be very confusing to the public to use it on something entirely different.”

5. Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton was an American author and filmmaker. Crichton wrote several best-selling novels, including Jurassic Park and The Andromeda Strain. However, under the pseudonym John Lange, he wrote several thrillers, including Odds On and Easy Go. Crichton chose to write under a different name because he did not want his medical colleagues to know that he was also a novelist. Writing under a pen name allowed him to maintain two separate careers.

6. Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll was the pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, an English writer, mathematician, and photographer. Carroll is most famous for his novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. He also wrote a sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, and a collection of poetry, The Hunting of the Snark. Carroll chose to write under a pseudonym so that his reputation as a mathematician would not be affected by his whimsical writing.

7. Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is an American author who has written over 225 romance novels. She is one of the best-selling authors of all time. However, Roberts has also written futuristic police procedurals under the pseudonym J.D. Robb. She chose to write under a different name to separate her romance novels from her more gritty, futuristic works.

8. Samuel Clemens

Samuel Clemens, known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, and lecturer. Twain is best known for his novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain chose to write under a pseudonym to avoid legal trouble. He had written a humorous travel book, The Innocents Abroad, and feared that he would be sued for defamation. The pseudonym allowed him to publish the book without fear of legal repercussions.

Conclusion

The decision to write under a pen name is a personal one, and the reasons can vary. Some authors write under pseudonyms to avoid societal or professional discrimination, while others choose to separate their different types of writing. Whatever the reason, these eight famous authors have proven that a pen name can help to establish a successful writing career.