JK Rowling secretly published a crime novel in April under a false name - Polidicks

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23304181[/url] [quote]JK Rowling has secretly written a crime novel under the guise of male debut writer Robert Galbraith. The Harry Potter author was acclaimed for The Cuckoo's Calling, about a war veteran turned private investigator called Cormoran Strike. The book, published in April, has sold 1,500 copies in hardback so far. Rowling's secret emerged after the Sunday Times wondered how a first-time author could produce such an accomplished work. Rowling said: "I had hoped to keep this secret a little longer because being Robert Galbraith has been such a liberating experience. "It has been wonderful to publish without hype or expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name."[/quote]

1500 copies is accomplished? I thought the bar was set a little higher than that

Never heard of this book

[QUOTE=scout1;41447592]1500 copies is accomplished? I thought the bar was set a little higher than that[/QUOTE] I think they meant the quality was too good for someone who never wrote before

I think it is really neat that she did this. I feel like she just loves writing and doesn't want previous work to "spoil" expectations.

To be honest, it's a little useless to me to write a book as a separate author when already you're a household name.

[QUOTE=MasterFen006;41447663]To be honest, it's a little useless to me to write a book as a separate author when already you're a household name.[/QUOTE] well she said "It has been wonderful to publish without hype or expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name." it turns out people like her for her writing and not for being a harry potter.

[QUOTE=MasterFen006;41447663]To be honest, it's a little useless to me to write a book as a separate author when already you're a household name.[/QUOTE] I'm pretty sure that's the exact reason as to why she did it. Her fans would be biased to liking anything that she wrote, so she wanted fresh praise and criticism I guess.

[QUOTE=MasterFen006;41447663]To be honest, it's a little useless to me to write a book as a separate author when already you're a household name.[/QUOTE] She was probably making sure that people weren't just riding the hype train. Rich people can be insecure too.

She wanted people to judge her art without them considering her reputation.

I'm not surprised. "Fingerprinting???? why not just cast an analysis spell god this book sucks"

You know, those books with her alias probably are going to be worth a bit now once they print more books with her real name on it.

I want to read about the Harry Potter universe in modern times. It took place in the 90s.

[QUOTE=scout1;41447592]1500 copies is accomplished? I thought the bar was set a little higher than that[/QUOTE] For a first time author under that name, that's still a decent amount. At least 45k made.

[QUOTE] about a war veteran turned private investigator[/QUOTE] Cole Phelps???

[QUOTE=katbug;41447692]She was probably making sure that people weren't just riding the hype train. Rich people can be insecure too.[/QUOTE] Authors also like to test the hype machine from time to time. I know Stephen King has like a dozen aliases he uses from time to time to test it. [editline]13th July 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Blazyd;41448074]Cole Phelps???[/QUOTE] Please, Phelps worked for the Public.

[QUOTE=Blazyd;41448074]Cole Phelps???[/QUOTE] doubt

"Secretly" Worst secret ever, it's only known between you, me, everyone that reads BBC, their friends, the queen, Putin, the drummer from matchbox twenty and no one else, promise, I won't tell another soul.

I'm guessing that she managed to pull this off because her writing style has no defining features at all.

To be honest, for a first time novelist, she could have sold a lot less.

[QUOTE=draugur;41448280]"Secretly" Worst secret ever, it's only known between you, me, everyone that reads BBC, their friends, the queen, Putin, the drummer from matchbox twenty and no one else, promise, I won't tell another soul.[/QUOTE] I can't tell if you're trying to be funny.

[QUOTE=draugur;41448280]"Secretly" Worst secret ever, it's only known between you, me, everyone that reads BBC, their friends, the queen, Putin, the drummer from matchbox twenty and no one else, promise, I won't tell another soul.[/QUOTE] Would've fooled me. I would never make the connection between Robert Galbraith and JKR

Tbh three months is pretty good, I'd have expected it to leak out instantly

[QUOTE=scout1;41447592]1500 copies is accomplished? I thought the bar was set a little higher than that[/QUOTE] in 3 months? that's several thousand dollars a month in royalties i believe. that's actually a middle-class wage, an income very rare for one book from a new author.

[QUOTE=MasterFen006;41447663]To be honest, it's a little useless to me to write a book as a separate author when already you're a household name.[/QUOTE] Stephen King used a whole bunch of pen names back in the day to release other works because he was always type-casted as a horror novelist.

[QUOTE=Ray-The-Sun;41448823]I'm guessing that she managed to pull this off because her writing style has no defining features at all.[/QUOTE] If you go back and read Harry Potter and compare it to any number of children's fantasy novels, you'll see that she sets a high standard. She might not write with a challenging vernacular or redefine English novel writing, but her descriptions are often (but not always) wonderfully quirky. Her writing is understated by nature.

This is her book for those of you curious [url]http://www.amazon.com/The-Cuckoos-Calling-Robert-Galbraith/dp/0316206849[/url] I wonder if it'll see a sale bump now.

[QUOTE=MercZ;41450610] I wonder if it'll see a sale bump now.[/QUOTE] Is this a serious question? It's like saying 'I wonder if the Sun will rise in the East and set in the West today' - it's to be expected without question

I want to read the book because it sounds good, but I feel like I'd be judged hardcore by my peers due to the cover

That's pretty genius of her. We live in a world where any form of art released is heavily judged by its context. Makes sense for her to do this so she can escape being known as the Harry Potter publisher when it comes to wanting to move past that and write new things. The fact that the book sold so well without being attached to a renowned author shows that J.K. Rowling has some talent when it comes to writing.