By now, you are probably aware that J. K. Rowling wrote detective novel The Cuckoo’s Calling under the guise of Robert Galbraith, an ex-military family man. Quoth she, “It has been wonderful to publish without hype or expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name.”

Can’t imagine what anyone would stand to gain by revealing the truth behind the modest seller.

The publishers who turned the novel down are, of course, kicking themselves.

Related: a brief history of the pseudonym.

For your alienated youngster: My First Kafka.