Gabriel Valjan
Jul 27, 2017 · 1 min read

This was an interesting read. I almost never look at the author’s name when I pick up a book. I’ll admit cover art can draw me to a book, but most of my reading comes from random discoveries or recommendations from friends. I’m aware that some authors have used pseudonyms per genre, but this article suggest ‘by any means necessary’ to get eyeballs. Articles I have read imply that women authors are not read nor are they they recipients of prestigious awards. The late Angela Carter was but one example; she was asked to judge for the Booker, but was never nominated, to the best of my knowledge; and yet when I do look at names of the shelves, I see a preponderance of women writers. Same when I look at literary agents. I had read somewhere that JK Rowling used the initials to be sexless, which I find ironic because she would later publish under a male name, Robert Galbraith. Once again, urban legend says she did that to see whether the book could get published without the Rowling shadow interfering, or it was all a marketing ploy. Visibility for all authors, traditional or indie published, is a challenge. Question is whether authors, like Lady Macbeth, have to unsex themselves for the sake of success.

    Gabriel Valjan

    Written by

    Boston author with Winter Goose Publishing. A foodie and I think animals are often better than people.