J.K. Rowling Reveals Secret Identity

Being an acclaimed writer has many perks, like wealth and fame. However, it also comes with some setbacks, perhaps the most difficult of which is having past successful works compared to new ones.

The traditional way a writer escapes those comparisons is through the use of a pseudonym when releasing new material. It's unusual, however, for the same author to achieve critical acclaim under both names.

Yet that's just what J.K. Rowling, author of the now-classic "Harry Potter" series has achieved through the use of the pseudonym Robert Galbraith to write "The Cuckoo's Calling." The novel is a departure from Rowling's previous work; it features a war veteran turned private investigator and the mysterious death of a model.

The "debut novel" by Galbraith, a supposed ex-military man, won favorable reviews when it was published in April by Sphere, part of publisher Little, Brown.

The Sunday Times revealed Rowling wrote the book. Her spokeswoman then confirmed it.

Rowling said in a statement she had hoped to keep the secret a little longer because "being Robert Galbraith has been such a liberating experience."

Read the full Associated Press story here.