J. K. Rowling to publish new crime novel

[Apache]

Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling will publish her second crime novel in June, under the pen name of Robert Galbraith, it has been revealed.

"The Silkworm", to be published on June 19, will be a follow-up to "The Cuckoo's Calling", which Rowling wrote using the Galbraith pseudonym.

"Robert Galbraith's second Cormoran Strike Novel THE SILKWORM to be published 19/06/14," the author's alter ego said in only a third-ever tweet on Monday, with a link to Galbraith's website.

The new novel follows private detective Cormoran Strike in another adventure with his assistant Robin Ellacott.

This time they try to unravel the death of writer Owen Quine after first being called in to probe his disappearance.

The investigators uncover a manuscript in which many of Quine's associates are portrayed unflatteringly -- which would have ruined their lives if published and could prove to be a motive for a killer.

Apache

[treadlightly]

I'm happy! I enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling and was hoping the whole pseudonym fiasco wouldn't put her off writing a sequel.

[Quexos]

So now that everybody knows it's Rowling and not Galbraith that wrote the novel why is she still writing under that pseudonym ?

[Synamon]

Originally Posted by Quexos

So now that everybody knows it's Rowling and not Galbraith that wrote the novel why is she still writing under that pseudonym ?

So people looking for a book with wizards don't pick it up? Why does Nora Roberts write as J.D. Robb?

It's fairly common for authors to write books in different genres under different names.

Cool, she seems to be taking on subjects she knows something about in this series. The first looked behind the scenes of celebrity, this one's about an author.

[supermighty]

Originally Posted by Quexos

So now that everybody knows it's Rowling and not Galbraith that wrote the novel why is she still writing under that pseudonym ?

Maybe when she is writing under the pseudonym she feels different and feels that her writing is different. And maybe she likes that feeling and the freedom it gives her.

[Quexos]

I think this schizophrenic pattern among authors is rather confusing. If they want to write under a different name then why don't they do it to the bitter end and never reveal it. If they choose to reveal it then what's the point to proceed with it ?

Originally Posted by Synamon

So people looking for a book with wizards don't pick it up? Why does Nora Roberts write as J.D. Robb?

It's fairly common for authors to write books in different genres under different names.

You probably have a point there but I think that point is defeated the moment they reveal their pseudonym.

Originally Posted by supermighty

Maybe when she is writing under the pseudonym she feels different and feels that her writing is different. And maybe she likes that feeling and the freedom it gives her.

[Bilbo1967]

She's not the only one. You've got Nora Roberts/J D Robb, Iain Banks/Iain M. Banks and they make no pretence of being different people.

[DrNefario]

Originally Posted by Quexos

I think this schizophrenic pattern among authors is rather confusing. If they want to write under a different name then why don't they do it to the bitter end and never reveal it. If they choose to reveal it then what's the point to proceed with it ?

Surely you want the whole series to appear under one name? It will mean the books get shelved next to each other, for a start.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Quexos

I think this schizophrenic pattern among authors is rather confusing. If they want to write under a different name then why don't they do it to the bitter end and never reveal it.
.

There is no evidence Rowling ever intended to come clean.
And this book was finished and in the pipeline before she was exposed.

[crich70]

Agatha Christie wrote some romance books under a pen name. I think it also helps in keeping the market from having too many books under one author's name as well. Isaac Asimov wrote his "Lucky Starr" books under a pen name and Stephen King also wrote under a pen name for a short while.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by Quexos

I think this schizophrenic pattern among authors is rather confusing. If they want to write under a different name then why don't they do it to the bitter end and never reveal it. If they choose to reveal it then what's the point to proceed with it ?



You probably have a point there but I think that point is defeated the moment they reveal their pseudonym.

Branding. It may seem confusing, but it actually avoids confusion in the marketplace.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by treadlightly

I'm happy! I enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling and was hoping the whole pseudonym fiasco wouldn't put her off writing a sequel.

Me too! I'm looking forward to the sequel.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Branding. It may seem confusing, but it actually avoids confusion in the marketplace.

Right. In the marketplace, and at the library.

I don't like J. K. Rowling, but I do like Robert Galbraith. Rowling makes up a bunch of fantasy nonsense, whereas Galbraith writes solid research-based fiction.

Many -- probably most -- will feel just the opposite about which brand is better, Rowling or Galbraith. But they are radically different brands.

[BelleZora]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

I don't like J. K. Rowling, but I do like Robert Galbraith. Rowling makes up a bunch of fantasy nonsense, whereas Galbraith writes solid research-based fiction.

The Cuckoo's Calling is excellent, one of the best mysteries I read last year. Love Galbraith. Rowling: not so much.

[MikeB1972]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

She's not the only one. You've got Nora Roberts/J D Robb, Iain Banks/Iain M. Banks and they make no pretence of being different people.

Iain M. Banks is handy though, If there is an M it's science fiction

Most pseudonyms are used when writing in a different genre, I like Kim Harrison (Urban fantasy) but have no wish to read anything by Dawn Cook (Fantasy/Romance) even though I know they are the same person.

Also a lot of people don't know all the different names, if you start reading a series by an author you like and the author name changes part way through the series is it a pseudonym or a different writer - Normally a different writer (Bourne, WOT, etc)