Well, never. But, in the case of JK Rowling’s outing as the real “Robert Galbraith,” perhaps it had a sliver lining?
Rowling wrote a story under the Galbraith pseudonym. But, Rowling’s lawyers screwed the pigeon.
Chris Gossage, an entertainment lawyer and partner at the law firm Russells, was apparently showing off when he told his wife’s best friend in a “private conversation” that Rowling had been writing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, a “married ex-military man” credited as the author of The Cuckoo’s Calling. (source)
Usually when a lawyer blows up the attorney-client privilege, there isn’t much to celebrate. The client gets pissed off, and everyone runs to plug the leaks. (Or so I would imagine, I haven’t managed to be in this situation yet, and hope never to be). But, in this case, it seems that Mr. Gossage pulled on a string that he wasn’t supposed to touch, and a shitton of money fell into the client’s lap.
The Cuckoo’s Calling, which had only sold a few thousand copies prior to the revelation about Rowling’s authorship, has soared to the top of bestseller lists, and Rowling’s publishers have ordered a reprint of the book to meet demand. Meanwhile, Rowling will reportedly write more books in the Cuckoo’s Calling series. (source)
I still would not wish to be in Gossage’s shoes.
