: Collaborating with Stephen King, but not the original My name is Richard Devine and I am currently working on a collaboration with Stephen King, (obviously NOT the original author himself). We

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The name on the book is a brand name. It's a sales tool. It need not relate in any way to the author's real name.

Another way to think of it: If readers enjoy one of your books, you want them to be able to find and buy more of your books. So choose a name helps fans remember you and find more of your books. You do not want them to have to scan past another author's stuff.

Consider using a pen name. If you want, you can mention in the author bio that the name is a pen name for Stephen King, and clarify (with as few words as possible) that it ain't that Stephen King.

Me, I'd go with Richard Bachman.

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The simplest solution is for Stephen King to alter his byline somehow — to Steve King, or Stephen [X.] King (whatever his middle initial is), or Stefan King, or his childhood nickname Steverino Polpettino King, or a pen name like Charles Dickens.

Failing that, a large captioned photo on the back cover and/or inside flap would help.

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