J.K. Rowling is now admitting that she published a mystery novel, ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling,’ under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
The British novelist, best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series, issued this statement to The Sunday Times of London:
“I had hoped to keep this secret a little longer, because being Robert Galbraith has been such a liberating experience. It has been wonderful to publish without hype or expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name.”
The book was published in late April by Muholland Books, an imprint of Little, Brown. The reviews were excellent but it didn’t fly off the shelves. Modest sales have numbered just 1500 copies — not a very promising start for new author Robert Galbraith — aka J.K. Rowling.
That is about to change with the revelation that ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ is J.K.’s first mystery. The cover bio fudged that the author was “an ex-British Army officer with ties to the civilian security industry.”
Book publisher Reagan Arthur revealed that the company was “pleased and proud” to learn with the rest of the world that ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ is the work of a best selling author.
The publisher confirmed, “A reprint of the book is under way and will carry a revised author biography, which reads ‘Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling.’ A second book in the series is planned for next summer.”
The author admits she sent the manuscript to a number of prospective publishers, including Orion Books – who turned her down flat.
Within hours of Rowling’s authorship admission, the book shot to No. 1 on the Amazon bestseller lists in Britain and the United States.
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