07-15-2013, 03:05 AM | #31 |
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I completely understand her wanting to write under a pseudonym (but that was a bit short lived). Especially if it's mysteries for adults. Yes I liked HP, but I was in still in junior high'. I tried to pick one up again, it's clearly written for teenagers (though not the worse). It's well written but the plot doesn't hold much surprise. And the last tome was... craming all she had forgotten to tell in a number of pages that could be published as one volume ^^.
Based on her "fame", I would only read one of her books if I was looking for something to recommend for teenagers. If I were looking for mysteries, I would probably dismiss her book if written under her name. Otherwise... I might read the reviews ^^ |
07-15-2013, 03:48 AM | #32 | |
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The book first came to my attention when it was featured in an Audible newsletter last month, then I looked it up on goodreads and it had strong reviews. Hence it made it to the wishlist I like to discover new authors although as it turned out he wasn't new to me after all Unfortunately due to the price tag down here of $16+ for the ebook I doubt I'll be getting it in the near future I think releasing it under another name was the only way she was going to get fair feedback about the book but I am more than a little cynical about the unmasking. One would think keeping it under wraps a bit longer wouldn't have been all that difficult if that is what they really wanted. Last edited by melmac; 07-15-2013 at 08:13 AM. |
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07-15-2013, 04:19 AM | #33 |
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I would be surprised if Rowling had anything to do with the actual unmasking. What would she gain. She already has fame and fortune.
Publishing under a pseudonym seems a bit "poor little rich girl who wants to be recognized for merit" to me, but having done that, why open herself to ridicule from the envious and cynical? A lot of people are involved in her life and her publishing world, and I think that one or more of of them had something to gain by leaking the authors name, if only a fleeting moment of "I know something that you don't" Helen |
07-15-2013, 05:58 AM | #34 |
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It was a smart move on her part. Her last book suffered from expectations associated with her name.
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07-15-2013, 08:25 AM | #35 |
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I think many readers, in general, once they find an author they like, want to read "anything" the author writes. I'm like that to a large extent. I like Rowling's, so I'll put it on my TBR list (not sure when I'll get to it, I still haven't read A Casual Vacancy).
Although the false bio has me thinking... |
07-15-2013, 08:58 AM | #36 | |
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If I were in her place, I might have done the same thing. "Let's see what people think of my writing when they don't know who wrote it. Getting decent reviews? Great. I feel better. Now, quick, let's not be stupid and throw away millions more dollars." I would not have noticed this book were her name not attached, and while the Harry Potter books were not my cup of tea, I was impressed by the storytelling and richness of them, so now that I know this is hers, I'm actually interested in seeing what she does with a mystery story. ApK |
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07-15-2013, 09:07 AM | #37 | |
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ApK |
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07-15-2013, 09:10 AM | #38 | |
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It's clearly not about sales at this point for her, so I'm going with the assumption that she wants to break away from everyone's stereotypes about her and her writing. I'm sure she'd like to write something that turned out to be something other than "a book by that woman who wrote Harry Potter." That's probably best achieved using a pseudonym at this point. But I'm guessing that's at odds with the financial strategies of everyone else who makes a living off of her writing. "You mean wanted to stay unknown with regard to this book? Oops! I'm so sorry. I had no idea." Last edited by DiapDealer; 07-15-2013 at 09:20 AM. |
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07-15-2013, 09:52 AM | #39 | |
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JK: "I'm insecure and wanted more validation." Her empire's minions: "Too bad. We have yacht payments to make." Last edited by ApK; 07-15-2013 at 09:55 AM. |
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07-15-2013, 10:26 AM | #40 | |
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Not that I think she is insecure, I would have no idea about that, and have a hard time imagining it. Still the minion part seems fairly likely Helen |
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07-15-2013, 10:56 AM | #41 | |
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House authors know each other. Within a given genre, they often hang out together at conventions, online forums, and publisher-sponsored events. If a house comes out with an exceptionally well-funded title by a mystery author who fails to show up in any of the expected venues and who also isn't available for interviews or promo ops... seems pretty likely that people will begin to speculate. |
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07-15-2013, 11:46 AM | #42 | |
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07-15-2013, 11:48 AM | #43 |
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Nora Roberts went against stereotype when she first started writing as JD Robb - as I recall, her books were successful before word of the pseudonym got out. On the other hand, I don't recall a false bio for the Robb pseudonym. I don't think that, on the first books, there even was an author bio.
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07-15-2013, 12:13 PM | #44 |
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07-15-2013, 12:14 PM | #45 |
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