In Traditional Publishing, Even a 'Great' Book by an Unknown Author Can Simply Get Lost

J. K. Rowlings' pseudonym author experiment reveals
more than expected  

What I have been trying to say for some time about the legacy publishing system, that it is ineffective and ignoble or non noble de la qualité, le caractère ou le but, has actually been proven in the 3-dimensional physical world by a pseudonym-named-author experiment by one of the world's most successful authors.   

J. K. Rowlings, of Harry Potter book fame and probably the most financially successful author ever, wrote a critically acclaimed but rather unsuccessful book titled 'The Cuckoo's Calling' under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith.

Why the hell did she do this? Simply to be able to publish a work "without hype or expectation and allow her the pure pleasure to get feedback from publishers and readers under a different name."  

She succeeded in getting positive critical feedback, which should reassure her that she truly possesses talent beyond 'Harry Potter characters' --- BUT, she also succeeded in 'outing' the legacy publishing model as the charlatan-dressed-in-literary-nobility industry that it is (most of the time) --- with all its fundamental unfairness and absurdity. 

More by Adam Taylor of Business Insider:



Every Aspiring Author Should Be Depressed By J.K. Rowling's Pseudonymous Publishing Stunt

The revelation that J.K. Rowling was the author behind little known author Robert Galbraith's acclaimed but low-selling novel "The Cuckoo's Calling," released earlier this year, has been decried as a publicity stunt from some corners.

However, it's hard to believe that Rowling, perhaps the most financially successful author ever, could really need the publicity for a book.

It's far more logical to trust Rowling's own explanation — that it was an experiment designed to offer Rowling a chance to "publish without hype or expectation" and allow her the "pure pleasure to get feedback from publishers and readers under a different name."

We should be thankful to Rowling too, as her experiment is a truly illuminating example of the fundamental unfairness and absurdity that lies at the heart of the book publishing industry.

It's long been known that the publishing industry works through sheer numbers. Publishers throw everything at the wall and see what sticks, and the mega-hits, of which there are few, pay for the flops, of which there are many.

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