Only the author knows. Oh, and the publisher.
I know I was one of the last people to know one female author wrote under two names. Never understood why because neither series seemed to require a name change. But, maybe she started with the one name and didn’t want to change after using her real name – or was it real first and then pseudonym – or are both pseudonyms?
I was also the last, in my opinion, to learn about Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys’ author(s). The style was the same and so was the formula. Yes, I can admit to there being a formula.
When I learned of ghostwriters I was shocked. Yes, I was that innocent once. I understand someone can have a great idea but unable to bring it to written life.
No, I wouldn’t have wanted to know if my favourite childhood writer wrote erotic. Or perhaps even horror. Would you buy a child’s book by a horror writer? If you didn’t like horror?
Some people think it’s fake, a lie, to use a pseudonym; however, what difference does it make to the story? I would rather be able to find my favourite reads than worry whether or not the name is naturally born or created; whether the author is male or female.
Just give me my story read.