Stephen King’s Surprising Revelation as Richard Bachman

The author known as Richard Bachman is actually the pen name of the prolific writer Stephen King. Although this revelation surfaced years ago, the manner in which it occurred resembles the plot twists found in King’s own novels. With a career that has spanned decades, King has cemented his status as a cornerstone of pop culture, leaving an indelible mark through his extensive collection of novels as well as numerous adaptations for film and television.

However, such immense fame comes with its own set of challenges, prompting King to adopt the Bachman pseudonym in the late 1970s. This alter ego allowed him to escape the relentless scrutiny that comes with his popularity. Had it not been for an astute reader who conducted thorough research, King might have continued in anonymity under Bachman’s name for much longer.

Uncovering the Connection: A Fan’s Deduction

Recognizing the Signature Style

King’s distinct narrative voice has resonated with his dedicated audience over the years. Despite the evolution of his writing style, a core blue-collar tone and recurring phrases remain unmistakable hallmarks of his work. Back in 1984, avid fan Steve Brown, a bookstore clerk and writer, stumbled upon these recognizable expressions while reading an early copy of Bachman’s novel, Thinner. His familiarity with King’s oeuvre ignited a spark of curiosity, leading him to believe that Richard Bachman was indeed an alias for Stephen King.

Delving into Research: The Library of Congress

An Unexpected Revelation

In a detective-like fashion, Brown went to the Library of Congress, where he scrutinized the copyrights associated with the Richard Bachman novels. Astonishingly, he discovered that most of the books were registered under Kirby McCauley, who was Stephen King’s agent. The smoking gun, however, was that the copyright for the first Bachman book, Rage, was attributed directly to King. Armed with this evidence, Brown reached out to McCauley, only to find himself in direct conversation with King.

In a surprising twist, King himself picked up the phone and acknowledged the truth: “Steve Brown? This is Steve King. Okay, you know I’m Bachman, I know I’m Bachman, what are we going to do about it? Let’s talk.” This candid exchange marked the end of Bachman’s secrecy.

King reflected on his experience, likening it to a shopping bag in the rain slowly tearing apart. Although his publisher managed to keep Bachman’s identity under wraps for years, the rumors persisted. Upon Brown’s discovery, King lifted the veil, announcing the pseudonym’s demise with a new print of Thinner clearly labeled “Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman” .

The Motivation Behind the Pseudonym

Dual Purposes for Creating Bachman

The rationale behind King’s use of a pseudonym stems from two main motives. Firstly, King sought to challenge his own abilities as a writer, wanting to prove that his literary success was due to his craftsmanship rather than his established name. This mirrors the aspirations of an actor wishing to step out of a famous parent’s shadow, eager to make a name based on talent alone.

By the time he published his first Bachman book, Rage, in 1977, he was already a renowned author with hits like Carrie, ‘Salem’s Lot, and The Shining under his belt. Despite his established fame, King embraced the challenge of starting anew with a pseudonym, which offered him a form of creative freedom.

Moreover, King found the publishing landscape difficult, as conventional industry norms often limited authors to one release per year. As a prolific storyteller, he needed a distraction; thus, the Bachman alias allowed him to bypass these restrictions and continue producing work at his impressive pace.

A Return to Bachman: The Final Two Novels

Uncovering Forgotten Works

Although the secret of Bachman was unveiled back in the ’80s, King would pen two additional novels under this alias: The Regulators in 1996 and Blaze in 2007.

King later revealed that Blaze had been written much earlier than its publication but was shelved for years. Found in a trunk, he revamped the manuscript that had initially predated his breakout work, Carrie, to publish it as a nostalgic nod to the Bachman persona he once utilized.

Overall, Stephen King has authored a total of eight novels under the Richard Bachman pseudonym, including the earlier mentioned works and collections. It remains unlikely that he will shed new light on this alter ego unless another manuscript resurfaces. Regardless, the Bachman saga adds an engaging chapter to King’s illustrious career—one that emphasizes the tension between an author’s notoriety and their creative aspirations.

Source: Washington Post archive

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