JK Rowling reveals the use of her initials was to ‘disguise her gender’

If you've ever given any thought as to why JK Rowling opted to use her initials on her series of international bestsellers, you may be interested to know that it wasn't, in fact, her choice.

The British author, who became a household name following the release of the first Harry Potter book, recently revealed that she was advised to use her initials on her first book so as not to alienate male readers.

Because God forbid a little boy would be forced to read a book written by a woman, right?

Reflecting on the discussion she had with her publishers prior to her first book's release twenty years ago, she explained that she was essentially met wth a fait accompli on the name front.

Speaking to CNN's Christiane Amanpor, JK 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?"

Under no illusion that the use of her initials was nothing, but a method to hide the fact she is a woman, she said: "Because, basically, they were trying to disguise my gender. And obviously that lasted about three seconds, which is wonderful."

And what do you know? Even after it turned out that Harry Potter was the brainchild of a – gasp! – woman, sales continued to go through the roof.

What a world…