Under what pseudonym did J.K. Rowling publish The Cuckoo’s Calling?

J.K. Rowling published The Cuckoo’s Calling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

The novel, a crime story featuring private investigator Cormoran Strike, was released in April 2013 and initially presented its author as an unknown former member of the Royal Military Police. The identity behind the name was revealed later in 2013, when reporting established that Galbraith was Rowling.

Rowling said the pseudonym allowed her to publish without the expectations attached to the Harry Potter name. The book’s early reception was modest compared with Rowling’s fantasy sales, and the revelation of her identity brought a sharp increase in attention and sales.

Robert Galbraith is a pen name, not a separate real-life co-author. The name was also chosen carefully: “Robert” has been associated with Rowling’s admiration for Robert F. Kennedy, while “Galbraith” was connected to a family name. Later Strike novels continued to carry the Robert Galbraith byline.