Some writers went on to mainstream careers
A few anonymous short story contributors later found success in mainstream journalism, screenwriting, or novel publishing though most used pseudonyms in their Gent days. The line between adult publishing and literary ambition has always been blurrier than expected. Mainstream publications have long accepted contributions from anonymous authors who wanted to maintain privacy while writing about sensitive topics. These contributors' experiences may be more common than previously thought, given the rise of digital publishing and online platforms for sharing stories.
Many writers have had difficulty breaking into traditional literary circles due to their work's controversial nature. They may write under pen names to avoid potential stigma. In some cases, these pen names were adopted at an early age when the writer felt that society would judge them negatively based on their identity or personal history. Even after becoming successful, many kept using pen names to protect themselves from possible backlash.
For example, "Anonymous" authored the famous book "Gent". This was published by Random House in 1960. After its publication, he/she became known as one of America's leading erotica writers. He/she wrote several books before moving on to other genres like mystery and science fiction. Some believe Anonymous was actually a group of writers working together. Regardless, his/her real name remains unknown today. His/her influence is still felt through modern erotic literature inspired by him/her such as Fifty Shades Of Grey.
The trend continues even today with well-known authors like James Patterson releasing novels under different names (e.g., Alex Cross) because they want to explore new genres without being typecast as only mystery novelists. Writers should feel free to explore any topic they desire - without worrying about judgement from mainstream media outlets or readers. Digital publishers provide greater opportunities than ever before for creative freedom.