JK Rowling reveals why she didn’t use her real name when Harry Potter was published
JK stands for Joanne Kathleen but her real name isn’t Joanne Rowling
JK ROWLING has revealed why she uses her initials instead of her name.
The Harry Potter author, 51, was told by publishers to use a pen name in order to disguise her gender in a bid to appeal to a wider audience.
Speaking to , the author said: “My publisher, who published Harry Potter, they said to me, 'We think this is a book that will appeal to boys and girls', so they said, 'Could we use your initials?'
"Because, basically, they were trying to disguise my gender.
"And obviously that lasted about three seconds, which is wonderful."
JK stands for Joanne Kathleen but her real name isn’t Joanne Rowling – it’s actually Joanne Murray.
She took doctor Neil Murray's surname after their 2002 wedding.
Rowling likes to separate her public and private life, adding: “In private, I’m Jo Murray.”
MOST READ IN LIVING
Yesterday, JK Rowling dropped a massive bombshell by revealing she’s got a secret manuscript stashed away – and only the moths in her wardrobe can read it.
Harry Potter fans will be dismayed to hear the writer has no direct plans to publish the story, because it’s written on one of her dresses.
The writer revealed that the manuscript of almost an entire book was written on to the frock last year for her 50th birthday party.
Rowling asked pals to come dressed as their “worst personal nightmare”, and her own was a lost manuscript.
She set about scribbling away on a gown, which then became a garment and an original JK Rowling story combined.
How much that dress is likely to be worth now doesn’t bear thinking about.
The writer told CNN: “I wrote over a dress most of that book.
“So that book, I don’t know whether it will ever be published, but it’s actually hanging in a wardrobe currently.”