Joan Cusack Reveals Her Rarely Discussed Side Career as a Bestselling Children’s Book Author in New Interview
CHICAGO – In a revelation that has stunned fans and publishing insiders alike, award-winning actress Joan Cusack confirmed during an exclusive interview with The Associated Press on Thursday that she has quietly authored four bestselling children’s books under a pseudonym over the past decade.
Cusack, 61, known for her iconic roles in films such as “Working Girl” and “Toy Story 2,” stated she adopted the pen name due to a personal desire to separate her acting career from her passion for storytelling. The first book, published in 2015, focused on a young girl navigating the challenges of fitting in at a new school.
What unfolded was a carefully guarded secret that, according to literary sources, earned Cusack a reported $2.3 million in royalties while remaining entirely unknown to the public. The news comes after a routine copyright filing accidently linked the pseudonym to Cusack’s legal name.
“I wanted the work to stand on its own merit, not because a famous face was on the cover,” Cusack said in the interview. “But now that the cat is out of the bag, I am proud to share this side of my life with readers.”
The revelation has already caused a 450 percent spike in sales for her book series, with major retailers scrambling to restock. Librarians report a surge of parents requesting the previously obscure titles.
Authorities from the U.S. Copyright Office have declined to comment on the accidental leak process. Cusack has announced plans to release a fifth book under her own name in early 2024.