Names

[Aunt Fanny]

Please does anyone know why Blyton chose Mary Pollock and Audrey St Lo?
The latter I find especially curious?

[RDMorrell]

Mary Pollock has a certain logic to it - Enid was married to Hugh Pollock (although she may have been divorced from him by the time she wrote under that name), and her middle name was Mary. Wouldn't have a clue about why she chose Audrey St. Lo though.

[Moonraker]

As St Lo is an anagram of lost, maybe she thought her identity would be lost!

Agatha Christie used St Lo as a placename, Peril at End House was set there. I have always thought it to be Looe.

Audrey St Lo is also an anagram of No Adultery!

[Aunt Fanny]

Many thanks to you both. Yes, I had forgotten the Pollock being Hugh--they were indeed still married -1940, but Enid met Kennth Darrell Waters the following year.
I think Audrey St Lo was earlier, otherwise the No Adultery would be really good!
Was Agatha Christie's use earlier also, I wonder?
Anway, thank you again, liz.

[Almas]

Very interesting, indeed, Liz. I actually never knew that Enid used Audrey St Lo!

[Aunt Fanny]

Yes, I may be wrong but I think the St Lo used for early contributions to annuals and magazines, but no idea how often!

[Almas]

Ooooh! Could we ask Imogen Smallwood about it?! I'm very curious!!!

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

No!

This is what I mean about Imogen is not Gillian. Imogen makes herself available to us fans at the EBS Day, but she isn't keen on her celebrity-by-association, which is why she doesn't even like her photo taken.

The most approachable person who knows the most is Barabara Stoney, and she isn't well at the moment.

Best wishes

Viv

[Almas]

Well, if Gary Russell has joined these forums, why can't Imogen and Barbara join them too?

I would love to talk to them, anyhow.

Anyways, do they ever visit these forums? Does anyone know?

[Viv of Ginger Pop]

It's about personality type, and the right to be private.

Gary is an extravert actor, and has chosen to participate.

Barbara sometimes looks in as a guest - so she may see your question!

Imogen may choose to look in (I don't know if she does or not) but we must repect her desire for privacy

Best wishes

Viv

[Tony Summerfield]

Audrey St Lo is also an anagram of No Adultery!

Not so sure about this one, Nigel. You seemed to have lost an 's' and gained an 'n'!

Audrey St Lo was used by Amalgamated Press and Cassells, but as you can see in the current Journal, Newnes used a slightly different version - Audry Saint Lo. Both this pseudonym and Becky Kent were discovered by me about ten years ago during my bibliographical labours. I have Enid's workbook covering the four year period 1923-26 and I set about trying to trace all the stories and poems in it. I found about 95%, most of the missing 5% are poems, but there are also two or three stories that I couldn't trace. Whilst doing this I discovered a number of anonymous contributions as well as stories by Audrey and Becky and poems by Christopher.

Although one or two people have glanced at it, I am the only person to have checked this workbook thoroughly and I don't think anybody knew about these pseudonyms apart from Enid herself. It was certainly news to both Gillian and Barbara, though Gillian did know about the use of the name Christopher for poems.

[Ming]

I meant to ask you, but never did, but Tony, you seem to have lots of Blyton's stuff - did you ever meet her?

[Moonraker]

Audrey St Lo is also an anagram of No Adultery!

Not so sure about this one, Nigel. You seemed to have lost an 's' and gained an 'n'!

How right you are, my good friend! I will have to change it to:

So, Adultery!

[Boodi]

St. Lo is a town in north western France and was badly damaged in the battle of Normandy in 1944 (part of Operation Overlord). Could Enid have chosen the name because she had some connection with the town or the surrounding area?

[Belly]

Could a man she knew have fought there during WW2?

Fascinating to learn about Christopher etc, I had no idea! Thanks, Tony etc for the information. Did she have been success as a man rather than a woman with these early contributions?