Buzz
In 1986, Nancy Nicholas, an editor at Simon & Schuster, was captivated by a mystery novel titled Lives of the Twins, penned by debut author Rosamond Smith. Convinced of its potential, Nicholas secured a deal with Smith’s agent and issued a $10,000 advance, relishing the excitement of uncovering a promising new talent.
However, by early 1987, Nicholas realized she hadn’t stumbled upon a new literary voice. Instead, she had unknowingly signed a contract with Joyce Carol Oates, a literary giant with nearly 40 books to her name and a towering reputation in the world of fiction.
The deception, as some labeled it, was not born out of ill intent. Oates later clarified that Lives of the Twins marked a shift in her writing—a foray into a popular thriller genre, exploring the story of a woman entangled with twin psychotherapists. Seeking freedom from the expectations tied to her name, Oates adopted a new identity, much like Stephen King did with his pseudonym
“I was seeking a new perspective,” Oates explained to The New York Times in 1987. “I wanted to step away from my established identity ... I didn’t view it as deceitful. It was simply an attempt to explore something new.”
Oates took significant steps to conceal her true identity. Rather than approaching her usual publisher, E.P. Dutton, or her long-time agent, she enlisted the help of agent (and neighbor) Rosalie Siegel, creating the impression that “Rosamond Smith” was an entirely new author.
The ruse succeeded—temporarily. However, in February 1987, gossip columnist Liz Smith revealed the news that Oates was publishing under a pseudonym with Simon & Schuster. (The exact source of Smith’s information remains unclear, though it’s likely her extensive network of contacts provided the tip.)
The Times later expanded on the story, disclosing the book’s title and Oates’s reasoning. (This omission of credit to Smith for breaking the story irritated the columnist.) The revelation surprised many, including Oates’s usual agent, Blanche Gregory; her frequent editor at E.P. Dutton, William Abrahams; and Nicholas, who appeared somewhat disheartened.
“I’m not certain I’m publishing Joyce Carol Oates,” Nicholas remarked. “I signed Lives of the Twins in good faith, believing it to be a debut novel.”
Another possible reason for Oates’s decision was the belief that readers (and critics) frowned upon authors releasing more than one book annually, interpreting it as a sign of prioritizing quantity over quality. That same year, Oates was set to publish You Must Remember This under her real name with E.P. Dutton.
The short-lived media uproar prompted Oates to vow never to use pseudonyms again, but she didn’t stick to that promise. She revisited the Rosamond Smith alias multiple times for her mystery novels, though publishers were reluctant to fully embrace the charade. The works were typically attributed to “Joyce Carol Oates Writing As Rosamond Smith.”
