Who is Robert Galbraith, why did JK Rowling use the pseudonym and how many Strike books has she written?
JK Rowling is one of the most well-known authors of our time, but did you know she also writes under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith?
But why does she write under this name and what is the story behind the moniker? Here's what we know...
Who is Robert Galbraith?
Robert Galbraith is the pseudonym of JK Rowling, who is the bestselling author of the Harry Potter series and The Casual Vacancy.
The author has used the new name for the publishing of her crime novels, The Cormoran Strike.
She chose the moniker because Robert is one of her favourite names and Robert F Kennedy is her hero.
When she created the Robert Galbraith pseudonym, she gave him a military background, as she said it was the “easiest and most plausible reason for Robert to know how the Special Investigation Branch operates.”
She also said that by giving him a job in the civilian security industry it was a solid excuse not to appear in public or provide a photograph.
How many Cormoran Strike books are there?
There are currently three books in the Strike series: The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm and The Career of Evil.
The first book was released in 2013, followed by the second in 2014 and the third in 2015.
In 2015, JK Rowling she said there could be as many as six more Strike books.
She has already announced the fourth novel will be called Lethal White, confirming the title after getting Twitter fans to guess what it may be.
So far there's been no date confirmed for the book's release, but many expect it will be sooner rather than later, as it's been nearly two years since the last novel in the series hit shelves.
The first three books have been adapted for BBC1 and are being shown in August and September.
Why did JK Rowling use the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith?
On the Robert Galbraith website it explains that JK Rowling wanted to start writing crime novels and to release the new books to a neutral audience without any pressure, expectation or hype.
She remained hidden behind Robert Galbraith until 2013, shortly after the first novel in the series was released.
Some have speculated whether she used the pseudonym due to the mixed reaction she received for The Casual Vacancy.
This was the first adult book she released after the Harry Potter series and was released seven months before The Cuckoo’s Calling.
JK Rowling said to America’s : "[T]here was a phenomenal amount of pressure that went with being the writer of Harry Potter, and that aspect of publishing those books I do not particularly miss.
"So you can probably understand the appeal of going away and creating something very different, and just letting it stand or fall on its own merits."