Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

A book originally published under a pen name.

This one is wide-open. You could go with the classics, such as George Eliot or any of the Bronte sisters, or you could choose something more recent, like Robert Galbraith, or choose an author who publishes under multiple pen names, like J.D. Robb / Nora Roberts or Elizabeth Peters / Barbara Michaels, or an author who only used a pen name, such as Ariana Franklin, or authors who write together under one name such as Ilona Andrews, Charles Todd, or Christina Lauren.


Listopia list is Here: A Book Originally Published under a Pen Name

Easily going with the Richard Castle books for this prompt.

Nikki Heat Series 6 Books Collection Set by Richard Castle

Mira Grant and A. Deborah Baker are pen names of Seanan McGuire.

T. Kingfisher is the pen name of Ursula Vernon.

I'll probably go with one of the books under those names.

Olivie Blake is a pen name for Alexene Farol Follmuth, so any book published under Olivie Blake counts : The Atlas Six, Alone With You in the Ether, One for My Enemy, La Petite Mort, Masters of Death

I know of these:

Erin Sterling is a pen name for Rachel Hawkins.

E. Lockhart is a pen name for Emily Jenkins.

Of course there's Richard Bachman for Stephen King and Mark Twain for Samuel Clemens.

Lily Menon is a pen name for some of Sandhya Menon's books.

Claudia Gray is a pen name for Amy Vincent.

Pittacus Lore is a pen name for Jobie Hughes.

I know that John Twelve Hawks is a pen name, but I don't know the author's real name.

Jen wrote: "T. Kingfisher is the pen name of Ursula Vernon.".



I've always assumed that "Ursula Vernon" was also a pen name! (But I googled and apparently that's her real name.)

Riley Sager, Ruth Ware, and Cassandra Clare are all pen names if any is looking for a modern book.

Or read a Dr. Seuss book, if you need something short to help you reach 50 books.

Hobb Robin = Megan Lindholm

John Sanford is a pen name. I plan on reading one of his Prey series.

I’m going to do the upcoming Riley Sager or T. Kingfisher.

Claudia Gray is a pen name?! She has written some excellent books in the Star Wars realm, as well as YA romance/adventure like A Thousand Pieces of You.

If you somehow missed Tom Sawyer in school, then it's worth reading now (Mark Twain).

Lewis Carroll (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass) is a pseudonym.

The syndicate books like Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, etc., would be quick and easy ways to complete this prompt.

For somewhat older historical fiction, Jean Plaidy and Victoria Holt are two of several pen names of Eleanor Alice Burford.

I also just started a newer series by Margaret Frazer; the first books are a pair of authors under that name. The Novice's Tale

For romance fans, try Zoe Archer / Eva Leigh

This has been a lesson in learning how many pen names I didn't know about. I'm drowning in options!

Agatha Christie wrote used the name Mary Westmacott to write books that weren't mysteries.

Ali Hazelwood!

Kelly wrote: "Ali Hazelwood!"

Oh I did not know that one!!

Jen wrote: "Mira Grant and A. Deborah Baker are pen names of Seanan McGuire.

T. Kingfisher is the pen name of Ursula Vernon.

I'll probably go with one of the books under those names."

Thanks SO much for this info! I have a friend who has recommended I try T. Kingfisher, and here's the perfect prompt for any one of them I choose! Brilliant!

Lemony Snicket is a pen name of Daniel Handler's. The books are short and fun! Once you start the Series of Unfortunate Events books (the first is, The Bad Beginning), you'll want to go through them all!

He's also written another series for kids, All the Wrong Questions. The first book is, Who Could That Be at This Hour?

And he's got a book for adults, that makes for a great gift: Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid

Last year, I read, Poison for Breakfast, for the keyword, Poison, in the GirlXOXO Monthly Keyword Challenge. I read the ebook while listening to the audiobook (both through Overdrive/Libby), so I could enjoy the illustrations while listening and knitting.

I just found a really interesting book! The Composer Is Dead. (Daniel Handler is also a musician, and is in an indie pop band, The Magnetic Fields). This is part of the blurb on Goodreads:

Perhaps you can solve the crime yourself. Join the Inspector as he interrogates all the unusual suspects. Then listen to the accompanying audio recording featuring Lemony Snicket and the music of Nathaniel Stookey performed by the San Francisco Symphony. Hear for yourself exactly what took place on that fateful, well-orchestrated evening.

None of my libraries on Overdrive have this book, though. I have no idea how to get ahold of it. (Aha! My local, brick and mortar library has the physical book. Now, to find the soundtrack...)

Agatha Christie wrote some books under the pen name of Mary Westmacott

Elena Ferrante works for this I think!

Rhys Bowen is a pen name for Janet Quin-Harkin. Rhys has won awards for her mysteries, while I grew up on Janet's YA romances from the 80s. Still blows my mind that they're the same person.

I read The House Across the Lake

Sophie Kinsella (shopaholic series) is a pen name for Madeleine Wickham

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

So, was looking at the prompt and the word originally makes me think that it could be referring to a book that was first published under a pen name, but later came out with the author's actual name. To borrow ATY's terms, I figure that could be a Bring It On option for this prompt.

As an example, I know Stephen King originally hid that Richard Bachman was a pen name he used, but then admitted it and some later editions of those books say Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachman.

Does anyone know of other options like that? Not sure if I'll do it, but it could be fun if I could find an inspiring option.

Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters originally published under pen names, but obviously their books are now under their own names.

LeahS wrote: "Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters originally published under pen names, but obviously their books are now under their own names."

Thanks! I was thinking for sure there would be some female authors who didn't want to publish as such.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad -- pen name for a 20th century Polish-British writer Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski.

Books By Women Authors Who Published Under Male Names

https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com...

Heather L wrote: "Books By Women Authors Who Published Under Male Names

https://jocolibrary.bibliocommons.com..."

Awesome, thanks!

The Price of Salt, or Carol by Patricia Highsmith was originally published under the pen name of Claire Morgan.

Because it is about a lesbian love affair, it was originally published as a 'pulp fiction' book, but it is beautifully written.

Power In Betrayal by Kirby Ann

Elena Ferrante – The Lying Life of Adults

I read:
Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters

Ellis Peters real name is Edith Mary Pargeter.

Suggesting books by Selena Montgomery-the pen name of Stacey Abrams for her romance books.

Finished The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished reading The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren, and really enjoyed it.

The Locked Tomb Mystery: and Other Stories by Elizabeth Peters

I read Naked in Death.

It's just barely a pen name (real one is Carolyn Cherry), but I read Tripoint by CJ Cherryh.

http://www.lauraruthloomis.com/whats-...