Let’s get right to the heart of it: the C.B. Strike series—those crime mysteries featuring private detective Cormoran Strike—are written by J.K. Rowling, the world-famous author of the Harry Potter books. But here’s the twist: Rowling publishes them under the pseudonym “Robert Galbraith.”
Why use a pseudonym? Rowling herself has said she wanted to release these novels without the massive expectations and media attention that come with her real name. According to an interview with The Guardian, she wanted to see if she could succeed in a different genre on her own merits.
When I first heard about the C.B. Strike novels, I went straight to the bookstore. The author listed was “Robert Galbraith”—no photo, no obvious connection to Rowling. Out of curiosity, I tried to dig deeper. My first mistake? I assumed it was a debut author and found nothing but vague press releases.
It wasn’t until a friend sent me a BBC article from 2013, revealing that Robert Galbraith was actually a pen name for J.K. Rowling, that the truth clicked. Apparently, the secret had leaked after a law firm employee told a friend, who then tweeted it. The publisher, Little, Brown, soon confirmed the news. (Lesson learned: sometimes gossip on Twitter is more accurate than a press release.)
Here’s where my research got interesting (and a bit nerdy). The use of pseudonyms isn’t just a quirk of publishing—it’s protected by international copyright law. According to the Berne Convention (Article 7(3)), authors can use pseudonyms, and their copyright is still protected, so long as the real identity can be verified by the publisher or rights holder.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) provides guidance on pseudonymous works, emphasizing privacy but also the need for legal traceability. See their official FAQ.
However, the approach to “verified authorship” (think: who actually owns the rights to a book published under a pen name) varies around the world, especially when works are exported or translated. Here’s a comparison I put together after consulting OECD and WTO documentation:
| Country/Region | “Verified Authorship” Standard | Legal Basis | Enforcement Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Real identity must be registered with publisher; pseudonym can be public | Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 | UK Intellectual Property Office |
| United States | Copyright can be registered under pseudonym; real identity can be kept private | Title 17, Section 302(c) | U.S. Copyright Office |
| EU | Berne Convention applies; member states may differ on disclosure requirements | Berne Convention | National IP Offices |
| China | Pseudonyms allowed if real identity registered with publisher | Copyright Law of the PRC (2020 Amendment) | National Copyright Administration |
Let’s say a British author (let’s call her “Jane Doe”) publishes a thriller in the UK under a pseudonym. If a U.S. publisher wants to translate and sell that book, they need to verify that “Jane Doe” is the real copyright owner. Now, if Jane’s agent refuses to disclose her real name due to privacy concerns, the US Copyright Office might delay or deny registration. This happened in a real case referenced by the Association of Research Libraries when discussing Rowling/Galbraith’s situation.
In practice, most publishers just handle this in contract paperwork—but when books get adapted for TV, or rights are sold internationally, the “real” name has to be disclosed behind the scenes. I once mistyped an author’s legal name in a contract, and the rights transfer almost collapsed (awkward phone calls ensued).
So, the C.B. Strike series is written by J.K. Rowling, using the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. This isn’t just an amusing bit of literary trivia—it’s a window into how modern publishing, copyright law, and international standards intersect. Whether you’re a fan who wants to follow an author’s work, or you’re trying to license or translate a book, knowing the real author behind the pseudonym is crucial.
If you’re curious about a book’s real author, don’t just trust the cover—dig deeper, check publisher announcements, and look for credible news sources. And if you’re a writer thinking about using a pseudonym, make sure your rights are registered properly in every country you care about.
Next steps? If you’re interested in the legal nuts and bolts, I recommend reading the WIPO authorship FAQ or the U.S. Copyright Office’s guide on pseudonyms (PDF). And for a real treat, pick up the first C.B. Strike novel—now you know who’s really telling the story.