Pen Names Part 2 Quiz

Stephen King wrote as Richard Bachman to test whether his success was due to talent or luck; his secret identity was later exposed.

The Carolyn Keene name was used by many writers working for the Stratemeyer Syndicate, creating the Nancy Drew mysteries.

Chilean poet Ricardo Reyes adopted Pablo Neruda to hide his writing from disapproving family members; he later won the Nobel Prize.

François-Marie Arouet (1694–1778) used Voltaire and became one of the Enlightenment’s most influential writers and philosophers.

Stan Lee (1922–2018), born Stanley Lieber, shortened his name to save it for “serious writing,” later creating iconic Marvel superheroes.

L. Frank Baum (1856–1919) occasionally used Louis F. Baum and Edith Van Dyne for different genres, including fantasy and children’s stories.

Alice Sheldon wrote acclaimed science fiction under the male pseudonym James Tiptree Jr. to conceal her identity.

Theodor Geisel (1904–1991) used Dr. Seuss for his beloved children’s books, including The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham.

Agatha Christie wrote six romantic novels under Mary Westmacott, exploring themes outside detective fiction.

Jonathan Swift used Seaborn in Gulliver’s Travels, presenting it as a real travel narrative by Lemuel Gulliver.