David Michaels (author)

Lore & Background

The David Michaels pseudonym first appeared with the 2004 novel Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, written by Raymond Benson. Benson also wrote the second novel, Operation Barracuda, in 2005. In 2006, Benson announced he was finished with the Splinter Cell series, and the next novel, Checkmate, was written by Grant Blackwood under the same pseudonym. Blackwood also wrote Fallout in 2007. Peter Telep then took over the pseudonym, writing Conviction (2009) and Endgame (2009). With the 2013 publication of Splinter Cell: Blacklist Aftermath, Telep was credited by name rather than under the David Michaels pseudonym.

Beyond Splinter Cell, the David Michaels name was used for two EndWar novels (2008 and 2011), two Ghost Recon novels (2008 and 2011), and one H.A.W.X novel (2009). The current author using the pseudonym is not specified in available records.

Reader's Guide

The David Michaels pseudonym represents a collaborative, multi-author approach to novelizing Ubisoft's Tom Clancy–branded video game franchises. Spanning from 2004 to at least 2013, the name allowed continuity across series while different writers—Raymond Benson, Grant Blackwood, and Peter Telep—contributed individual installments. The Splinter Cell novels form the largest body of work, with six entries, followed by two each for EndWar and Ghost Recon, and one for H.A.W.X. The shift to crediting Peter Telep by name in 2013 marked a departure from the pseudonym's use. As a brand, David Michaels helped extend the narrative worlds of popular games into print, reaching readers who might not play the games. The pseudonym's significance lies in its role as a commercial and creative vehicle, allowing Ubisoft to maintain a consistent authorial identity while adapting to changing writers.

Did You Know?

• The first two Splinter Cell novels were written by Raymond Benson.
• Grant Blackwood wrote the Splinter Cell novels Checkmate and Fallout.
• Peter Telep wrote Splinter Cell: Conviction and Splinter Cell: Endgame under the pseudonym.
• With Splinter Cell: Blacklist Aftermath (2013), Peter Telep was credited by name instead of as David Michaels.