Some amazing news this morning for you as author J.K. Rowling has announced on her website she has written a new book, however there is only one to be made available to the public, and it will be sold for charity. On her website, Jo states this new book is based on a tale that is mentioned in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." The book that is to be auctioned is one of seven handwritten by the Harry Potter author, the other six will be given to people she wanted to honor privately, with the final copy going on auction at Sotheby's in London on December 13th 2007. The book, leather-bound and embellished with silver and different semi-precious stones, "will be on display to the public for a short period before the sale, and catalogues will be sold, all profits going to the Children's Voice." Readers will remember this is the charity that Jo founded several years ago; more information on this group, here. The Children's Voice charity (formerly Children’s High Level Group (CHLG)) aims to stamp out cruelty, neglect and abuse of young people, especially in Eastern Europe. JKR made a moving visit to the area several years ago, and has remained dedicated to helping these children.
Sotheby's has a short description about the book itself (Note: A special 48 page catalogue previewing this will soon be available for sale to the public and includes a message from Jo about the creation of the book). "Autograph manuscript of “The Tales of Beedle the Bard ” translated from the original runes by J.K. Rowling. Individually handwritten and extensively illustrated by the author, c.160 pages written in an Italian hand-made notebook, bound in brown morocco embellished on upper cover by Edinburgh silversmiths Hamilton and Inches, with five individually hand-chased hallmarked sterling silver ornaments and mounted moonstones."UPDATE: Sotheby's has now officially released to the press three new photos here, here, and here.
Some additional information about this remarkable event can be found via the following :
(Please note, if you have not yet read the final Harry Potter novel, there are spoilers.)
Jo still has the copyright of those stories even though she’s giving the books away, so it means that the owners of the books can’t publish the stories, but Jo can, whenever she wants! So, I at least am hoping that she will some day publish the stories, maybe in the Encyclopedia. At least some of them or parts of them. But think about it, it wouldn’t be a personal gift if the rest of the world got to read the book at the same time.
I to feel it to be a bit cruel to make it so public that no one else can get a copy of the book,(I don’t have $62,000 lying around the house, bank, etc, do any of you?). That was my favortie part of The Deathly Hallows, when they read the story of Beedle the Bard. Maybe if we make enough noise it will later become a full release. I don’t think it is fair to fans who have had just as intimate a relationship as she has with Harry Potter, et al. It makes me think maybe we shouldn’t get excited about the encyclopedia she’s promised. Is she going to do the same thing with that? I could go on all day…
Professor Potter, if you liked Tale of the Three Brothers read The Canterbury Tales – can’t remember whose tale it was (definitely one of the ecclesiastical ones) but hers is basically based on that.
OMG this sounds wonderful!!! I only whis I could be able to read it… :/ Please jk!!!! I hope it will be a release somday anyway… I WOULD LOVE IT!!
Posted by Sanna, from sweden on November 01, 2007, 12:46 PM
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I agree with most comments in that the fact that this work is not going to see public release is cruel, especially when she’s been telling us she’s not writing and that she’s going to write anything to do with Harry Potter for a long time.
I’m usually very impressed with the way Rowling handles herself with the press and relating information to her fans. She’s let me down, here.
I saw a “Blurb” about this, on Yahoo!News, this morning. I decided to check it out, on TLC, first! I am very glad I did. But I am very dismayed at the fan reaction….1) JKR is not OUT to “make money” on this.20)For those who don’t know, ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and ‘Quiditch Through The Ages’ was already written and released. (and is still available, I think) 100% of the profits, going to charity.Finally, I agree with valma. It wouldn’t be a personal gift, if the whole world got to read the book at the same time. I also think that, she’s right. I would not be suprised if the stories are included in the ‘Encyclopedia’. Yes: “what a time to be a fan”.....to see someone, with that kind of money, doing so much for charity…despite all the negativity. Good For You JK!
Posted by Confederate Lady on November 01, 2007, 12:51 PM
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Seriously! I thought the lawsuit and this were just one elaborate joke that Leaky and Jo did together, I mean they did meet when Jo came to the US right?—Is it too much to expect that this was a joke rather than the fact that The-Books-That-Must-Not-Be-Named is making me crawl into a ball and feel a little depressed…I hope we can hear Jo’s side of the story – this just seems completely wierd to me…I’m still waiting for Melissa to jump out and say ‘gotcha!’
"You haven't got the guts to take me on without that thing, have you?" Dudley snarled.[br]"Whereas you just need four mates behind you before you can beat up a ten-year-old. You know that boxing title you keep banging on about? How old was your opponent?
danielle wrote: Does this mean we’ll NEVER be able to read these stories? that’s a bit cruel :(
actually, some of the published pics on the BBC articles show text. you can just make out the beginning of the Hopping pot story
Yeh, i’m dissapointed about the WOTM too