Stephen King commends J.K. Rowling’s attempt at anonymity

Writer Stephen King related J.K. Rowling’s recent attempt at concealing her identity to his own use of a pen name in the late 70s and early 80s.

King, author of horror novels like The Shining, used the pseudonym “Richard Bachman” on several of his works early in his career. King was hoping to find out if his success went beyond his name, which at the time was famous for the movie Carrie.

A bookstore clerk in DC recognized King’s style in the Bachman books. He put the pieces together and ousted King as the real author in the mid 80s, according to The Atlantic Wire.

Similarly, Rowling’s attempt to write under the name “Robert Galbraith” for her new crime novel The Cuckoo’s Calling was recently exposed.

“I would have told her it's an impossible secret to keep for long,” King remarked to USA Today concerning Rowling’s pen name,

He added, “Jo is right about one big thing — what a pleasure, what a blessed relief, to write in anonymity, just for the joy of it. Now that I know, I can't wait to read the book.”