Pseudonyms
by
Andrea Plaziak
Circulation Department Head, West Warwick Public Library
Pseudonym: pseu.do.nym\ noun, falsely named, a fictitious name assumed for the time : pen name.
Authors use pseudonyms for many reasons. They may use different names for the different series that they write, they may be well-known in one field but write fiction in another, or sometimes they may just long for a more memorable moniker. Whatever the reason, it just makes reading their writing more interesting. After all, with each name the author takes on a different personality.
Stephen King wrote a series of books using the pen name Richard Bachman.
Marion Chesney writes historical romance novels under her own name and the pseudonyms of Helen Crampton, Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, and Charlotte Ward. But to me, she is M. C. Beaton, the author of both the Agatha Raisin mystery series and the Hamish Macbeth mystery series.
Anne Craig, a writer of young adult fiction, is also Mary Stanton, creator of a bed and breakfast series.
Veronica Black, author of a mystery series featuring Sister Joan, is the pseudonym of English romance writer Maureen Peters.
Agatha Christie, probably the best-known mystery writer in the world, wrote romantic suspense under the name Mary Westmacott.
Daphne Wright’s first success came as a romance novelist. Now, writing as Natasha Cooper, she has created Willow King, author and amateur sleuth.
Jill Churchill writes mysteries featuring Jane Jeffrey. That “nom de plume” belongs to Janice Young Brooks, the author of historical novels and many nonfiction books.
Then we have Frank King, who writes three series featuring women sleuths, all animal lovers, under the name Lydia Adamson.
Bruce Alexander is the pseudonym of Bruce Cook, former book editor and author of the 18th century series featuring Sir John Fielding, blind magistrate, and Jeremy Proctor, his young sidekick.
Robert Barnard, author of over 30 mysteries, writes an historical series under the name Bernard Bastable.
Of course no list would be complete without Judith Michael, the pen name of husband and wife team Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. All of their novels have become best sellers.
All of P.C. Doherty’s historical mystery series take place from Chaucer’s time to the 16th century. He writes three series using his own name: the first features Hugh Corbett, spy; the second, Matthew Jenkyn, 15th century soldier and double agent; the third, Nicholas Chirke, lawyer in medieval England. Sir Roger Shallot is the main character Doherty writes about under the name Michael Clynes. In the series written as Ann Dukthas, Doherty presents Nicholas Segalla, who travels through time solving the great mysteries of history. As C. L. Grace, Doherty transports us to 15th century Canterbury where we follow the adventures of Kathryn Swinbrooke, physician. Doherty’s mysteries by Paul Harding feature a 14th century monk and are known as the Sorrowful Mysteries series.
Martin Meyers wrote a series of private eye novels in the 70’s; his wife Annette Meyers authors the Smith & Wetzon mysteries (one of my favorites). Together, as Maan Meyers, they write a historical series following one family from the 17th century to the 19th (so far) in New Amsterdam—later New York.
Another husband and wife team consists of Susan Wittig Albert, known for her China Bayles mysteries, and her husband Bill. Together as Robin Paige they write a Victorian series.
Gwendolyn Butler has a great British mystery series featuring Charmain Daniels; as Jennie Melville, she has written 15 novels, including historical suspense.
So the next time you visit your local public library, check and see who else your favorite author might be. Who knows, you could stumble upon a familiar friend under a different guise.