Edward Stratemeyer's company, The Statemeyer Syndicate, created 125 series characters including The Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, and The Rover Boys. At any one time, the Syndicate juggled the publications of 22 different series. Edward Stratemeyer found most of his writers through classified advertisements. To work for the empire genius, writers signed away all rights to properties. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity.
After Stratemeyer's death, the Syndicate passed to his daughters, Edna and Harriet. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reigns to her sister. While Harriet is often credited as Carolyn Keene, several other authors assumed the pseudonym. Starting in 1953, Harriet authored 24 volumes. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier novels. The books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.
Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Mildred Wirt Benson who created 23 novels. The role passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.
