Yes, you may publish anonymously, and many authors opt to do so for part or all of their novels. However, you must ensure that it is the best option for you. If you want people to know who wrote a book, then you should not publish anonymously. The first author to successfully publish anonymously was the Marquis de Sade in 1772. He used the pseudonym "A.M." to avoid being persecuted for his views on religion and society. Today, many controversial figures choose to publish under an alias including Lenin, Gandhi, and Osama Bin Laden. Anonymity can be useful for exposing social ills or promoting political change. For example, George Orwell's novel 1984 brought to light the horrors of Stalinism. In more recent years, anonymous writers have used this technique to expose corruption within government institutions or the publishing industry. The writer knows they will be safe from reprisal if they make changes based on what they have learned. Anonymity can also be useful for self-publishing. There are many reasons why someone might want to publish a book without having their name attached to it.