How about pseudonyms?

[thym38]

sometimes I think pseudonyms can add to the story in a way. In 'a series of unfortunate events' the author "lemony snicket" (which by the way is an awesome name) uses his pseudonym to actually write from the point of view of a character related to the story. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but i'm trying to say that lemony snicket is actually a real person (in the books) who is a relative of friends of the Baudelaire orphans and also a member of the mysterious VFD. I love the way he is telling the story as if he is researching what happened to the children and sometimes interjects with his own little stories that reveal more information.
Also, I didn't even know jk rowling had a new book until i read this thread

[jamespoet]

Some writers, and I'm talking about more well-known writers, decide t use pseudonyms for a few books which they consider to be quite different from the type of books they're known for writing. Donald Westlake did this for his Parker novels, which are far more serious than his comic capers.

[moderntimes]

Not at all concerned by pen names. Many established authors use them for various reasons. Why should it matter?

Myself, I've used a pen name when writing articles, depending on the subject matter. When I worked for a local magazine, I was the "undercover" reporter on consumer fraud and such, so my real name was best kept quiet.

When I wrote for the newspaper I of course used my real name.

And nowadays, I always use my real name, for my mystery novels and other writing.

[Bookworm0266]

I'm afraid I'm not impressed by these people you describe as J.K.Rowling's 'readership' - if they are so shallow that they WILL buy the book if they know it's by her, but NOT when they thought it wasn't, then they can't possibly claim to be discriminating readers - they're just swayed by the current cult of celebrity.

I agree. A writer should be judged by the quality of their work and not the cult that they have built through their celebrity status. At the same time, I feel like a lot of others tend to get "locked" into one genre that begins to define their creativity and writing style to a point where they cannot break into a new genre if they so desired.

[Winter]

No, it doesn't bother me. I can see why an author would want to use pseudonyms for various reasons, and I respect that.

[shinjiblue]

I don't really care either way; it's the author's prerogative whether they want to use their legal name or a pseudonym to represent their work. It's the story that matters more to me, so if the writing is good, they can use whatever name they want.

[wendyj]

I don't like pseudonyms. Once I find an author I like, I want to read all their books. I don't like playing a hide and seek game - discovering that they have written a whole other set of books under a different name.

[Lovely_Ink]

It really doesn't matter to me. If I like the book then I really don't care what name the author chooses to go by.

[readerromance2003]

Not really. To me if the book is good who cares what the authors real name is. I just want an engaging and enjoyable book and I am happy.

[WriterBLAlley]

Don't care. I never realized Franklin Dixon wasn't real when I read all those Hardy Boys books.

[saviolo]

Maybe it helps their creativity to publish under a pseudonym.

Skyler

Sometimes authors want to write a different style of book and use a different name to clue people in to the fact that they are doing this. For example, Anne Rice wrote a series of books under the pseudonym A.N. Roquelaure because they were very different to her usual style. Die hard fans know this and can consider both elements of her work. But someone who had just read 'Interview with a Vampire' might find the Beauty series a bit of a shock.

[Tianarenee3]

I actually love the fact that authors have pseudonyms. To me, it signifies the modesty and shyness of writers, writing and performing behind authors that have yet to show the world their true talents. To me, it is a majestic state of being; the author can be anyone I think he or she is, and I don't have reality to tell me otherwise. I appreciate the true names being listed but when it is false, a sort if mystery surrounds the work being read leaving the audience questioning for more than just the next step in the story line.

[readitandwept]

It does not bother me at all, I myself plan to use one when I get my book published. I know the name does not really matter to others, but sometimes it helps get you readers. For example, J.K. Rowling used those initials in order to get boys to read her books who otherwise would not have read a book written by a woman. Also, I find cool names gets you readers like Rainbow Rowell.

[David Dawson]

It can be very admirable, as when someone well-known uses a pseudonym even with their publisher because they want their work to be judged on its own merits. Wasn't that JK Rowling/ Robert Galbraith's rationale for Casual Vacancy? I'm pretty sure when Hugh Laurie published his novel he submitted it under a nom de plume and, in the end, decided to release it under his own name, but only once the publishers had decided to go ahead with the book.

I'm not sure how much of an issue this is:

I don't like pseudonyms. Once I find an author I like, I want to read all their books. I don't like playing a hide and seek game - discovering that they have written a whole other set of books under a different name.

Unless the author is actually going to great lengths to conceal their identity, you can find out all their works, under whatever name, on the internet.

A final thing on pseudonyms: I really like the story of Graham Greene entering a competition to parody his own writing in the New Statesman under a false name and coming second...

[debbie smith]

As far as a reader I do not care if there is a pseudonym used or not as long as the story is good. If I find an author I like I will look for other books by them and I will check out more on the author. This research will usually lead to information on whether they use another name or not.
I understand from many writer/writing circles that many writers use different names to help seperate the different genres they write. From this and other discussions it makes sense. I and many other readers identify an author with a specific genre and expect that if they pick up a book with that name on it. I have certain expectations of the book by the name alone. I also understand there may be some legal/accounting reasons behind using different names.
I personally have used a pseudonym just because there are thousands of my name running around the world. I have already had issues being mixed up with other people just on things like background checks. If I invest time to write a really good book I want to make sure that it is me that is identified with it. (I don't mind the mix-up if it turns out to be a really bad book though. lol)