[ArtDodger]

I think Stephen King pulled the same stunt with his low-selling Richard Bachman books. No one bought them for their ‘stand alone’ merits so they were linked to the big name to sell.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

I don't believe that. The Running Man was a good selling novel and King was already prepping Misery to be a Bachmann book when word leaked out that he was Bachmann. He tried to fight the rumors, but he eventually admitted it.

[Veto!]

Ah, marketing. If I wrote a novel, I’d love to link it to some bestselling author’s name.

Maybe the publishers are pasting bestselling authors’ names on other writers’ books? For a fee, of course.

[Drew68]

I think Stephen King pulled the same stunt with his low-selling Richard Bachman books. No one bought them for their ‘stand alone’ merits so they were linked to the big name to sell.

Steven King wrote as Richard Bachman due to contractual obligations. He was so prolific at the time, cranking out novels faster than the publishers could promote, market and release them so he started writing as Bachman as to not interfere with the sales of Steven King books.