The first event in Los Angeles, California with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has now concluded (early photos here), and stories are beginning to appear from lucky fans who met Jo today. ABC out of LA now has a story online about the event at the Kodak theater today, with a quote from Jo who noted:
“To be honest this has been an amazing treat for me. The last time that I was in the states was 2000. Things got a little bit unmanageable signing wise in terms of numbers who was turning up, but I really missed being able to interact directly with readers,” says J.K. Rowling.
Among the many who were at the first stop of the Open Book Tour were two people who are special to us at Leaky: PotterCast’s own Bre Bishop (she of the very cool tour videos) and Rita Gill, and they were among those who got to meet our favorite author. Jo patiently signed copies of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” books for every one of the 1,600 young people at the event, and it proved to be an exciting and wonderful moment for the two longtime Harry Potter fans.
Standing in line waiting to have their books signed, they described the scene noting that some of the children were dressed in their Harry Potter robes and all were all very excited, with even one youngster saying he dared another student to ask JK her real name. Bre told us of her meeting with Jo, describing the wonderful moment when Jo was autographing her book. Bre got to speak briefly with Jo, telling her how much the books had changed her life and what an impact they have had on her. Jo looked up and smiled making eye contact and saying thank you very much and that it meant a lot to her to hear these things.
Rita was also very emotional during her meeting. In a very lovely and heartfelt way, Rita told of how she burst into tears upon meeting Jo, practically sobbing, telling her that all the friends she has right now are due to the Harry Potter books. Jo then got up and went over to Rita, hugging and comforting her, telling her not to cry. wow.
If you are among those who met Jo today, or will meet her at the next two stops, please send in your story and any photos to staff@the-leaky-cauldron.org and we will post them.
Congratulations to all who met Jo!
Okay, that’s so cool!!! Yeah, just a little confused. I wish I could go, but, I live far away from NY and New Orleans, so it’s out of the question. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the reports!
they asked her about her mainly not about the books…well some about the books but if any of the kids would have read interviews then they would have had the answers
it was amazing
i was like 3ft away from her and she signed my book
she read the passage when the durselys were leaving( just happen to be on pottercast this week)
that was pretty much it
oh and while waiting to get our books signed they played previous book reading that she did
Wow, this story makes me happy but (not gonna lie) very jealous! I was PRAYING to win tickets to one of the readings, but alas, no luck.
But… I did get to go to “An Evening with Harry, Carrie and Garp” last summer, and it was amazing. Hearing JKR read live in NYC was mindblowing. She read the chapter in HBP where Dumbledore goes to pick Tom Riddle up at the orphanage. Now, whenever I read that chapter, I can hear JKR’s voice, enunciation and emphasis in my head!
I agree with what people have said before. JKR and HP have changed and impacted my life in so many positive ways. I can’t imagine actually being able to meet her, but I’m sure it’s a magical experience. ;)
Oh wow! Congrats on meeting Jo Bre and Rita! You two are so lucky and I’m glad you got to meet her. :-) I don’t know how I would act if I got to meet Jo. I would either scream insanley or do the same as Rita. Probably the same as Rita because my eyes got misty reading that. Oh Jo is so amazing!
And she means she hasn’t done a book tour since 2000 everyone. In 2006, she came for a reading but had very little fan interaction like she would with a book tour.
The Carnegie will not allow photos inside. I would like to know how Bre and friend got into the LA event as this is near me. I am flying to NYC and am getting excited. Nice to hear the feedback.
i’m such a baby. Rita story when she met Jo was so… :`-). i’m happy for all the kids who were in the event! perhaps one day, i’d bump into this wonderful writer/person who has brought so much love and happiness in my life. =)
cries Man, that made me smile and get all teary-eyed. Oh, that’s wonderful, Rita! I’d give anything to have been hugged by a great woman like that! In fact, I dunno how I’d act if I ever had the chance to meet her! Cheers to all who got this amazing oppurtunity!
It was seriously the most mindblowing moment of my life. I still remember what she smelled like! Which sounds crazy but you want to hold on to every single detail when something like this happens. I love Jo so much.
I am also going to the event in NYC and still trying to decide on whether or not to wear the shirt I made (with a transfer with pictures of the books and Jo) or if I should dress fancy. Any ideas on what others are wearing? It says there is no dress code for the event at Carnegie Hall.
"Took me six months to track [Karkaroff] down, and Crouch is going to let him go if he's got enough new names. Let's hear his information, I say, and throw him straight back to the dementors."
Okay, that’s so cool!!! Yeah, just a little confused. I wish I could go, but, I live far away from NY and New Orleans, so it’s out of the question. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the reports!