In 1982, Lessing wrote two novels under the literary pseudonym Jane Somers to show the difficulty new authors face in trying to get their work printed. The novels were rejected by Lessing's UK publisher, but later accepted by another English publisher, Michael Joseph, and in the US by Alfred A. Knopf. "The Diary of a Good Neighbour" was published in Britain and the US in 1983, and "If the Old Could" in both countries in 1984, both as written by Jane Somers. In 1984, both novels were re-published in both countries (Viking Books publishing in the US), this time under one cover, with the title "The Diaries of Jane Somers: The Diary of a Good Neighbour and If the Old Could", listing Doris Lessing as author.