Thriller author Freida McFadden revealed her real name in an interview with USA Today.
McFadden, the prolific novelist whose books include The Housemaid, The Surrogate Mother, The Crash, and Dear Debbie, has published more than 30 books under her pseudonym but decided to disclose her real identity to the newspaper following theories from readers that multiple people were actually behind the novels.
“I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret,” she told the newspaper. “I’m tired of people debating if I’m a real person or if I’m three men. I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don’t have anything to hide.”
Rumors have circulated online that McFadden was the pen name of a group of writers, with readers pointing to the fast pace at which she publishes books. She has released more than 30 books in 13 years, with one novel already published this year and three more to come.
McFadden’s real name is Sara Cohen, she said, and she works as a physician specializing in brain disorders. She said that she decided to write under a pseudonym to keep her writing and medical careers separate. She also wears a wig and glasses in public, she acknowledged, but says she needs the glasses, and the wig is because “I have no idea how to style my hair.”
“My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was [ready to] step back from my doctor job, so it wouldn’t be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job,” the author said. “But I have stepped away from my job. I’m only working like once or twice a month."
She said that she plans to continue publishing under her assumed name.
“Even though I haven’t told my real name until now, I feel like I have shared the real me all along and everything I’ve told them has been the truth,” she said. "Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I've always been genuine with my readers.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
