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.)
Matthew 6
Giving to the Needy
1”Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Posted by To JKR, The Christian on November 01, 2007, 01:41 PM
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by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Posted by To JKR, The Christian on November 01, 2007, 01:42 PM
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Oh dear. How churlish, not to mention childish, so many of you are. “It’s not fair, I want it and I can’t have it”.
This is Jo’s way of giving something very special to a very small hand-picked group of supporters plus a charity. No one could possibly want to read this more than I do, but all I can think is “Good for her”. These books are all hand written and are entirely unique. There is nothing to stop her from publishing a printed version at some point in the future, perhaps for comic relief again, though quite frankly having read some of the messages on here who could blame her for thinking ‘stuff the lot of them’.
It really is very sad how utterly selfish some people are. Did you understand nothing when reading the Harry Potter books?
Posted by karen (the one without the avatar!) on November 01, 2007, 01:42 PM
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Sounds a bit like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the 5 Golden Tickets eh?
I wonder if she would get more for the charity if, after auctioning off the single, leather-bound book and giving out the other five, she had a paperback version to sell to the general public???
And to those expressing disappointment: Would you begrudge those closest to Jo the opportunity to have something beautiful and unique? Would you begrudge this charity its money? Truly, I don’t understand. If you were somehow, miraculously, in her place, wouldn’t you want to give your family and friends something no one else has? Wouldn’t you want to raise money for the charity you founded?
Posted by Mountain Violet on November 01, 2007, 01:46 PM
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(Joining Mountain Violet, with standing ovation toward Glenn)
Concise and to the point. Says it all! I am very proud to be a JKR/HP Fan.
Posted by Confederate Lady on November 01, 2007, 01:46 PM
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@karen,
do your really think people need JKR´s HP to know love and mercy? Then you are wrong! Wake up,try reality. By the way: did you ever heard about marketing and publicity compaigns?
Thank you Glenn. Jo has already given all of us so much, I dont think its fair for people to come on here and bash her for a sentimental, personal gift she wants to give to her loved ones… she didnt have to write a 7th, but she did- and shes putting it towards a good cause. Look at her dedication in Deathly Hallows. Its only right that there should be a seventh for her fans. Eventually we will be able to read it, I have no doubts about that.
There will probably be some sort of “anti-collector’s edition” version of this at some point, maybe on a website. After all, the same thing happened with the original Homestar Runner book.
Thank you Glenn. Jo has already given all of us so much, I dont think its fair for people to come on here and bash her for a sentimental, personal gift she wants to give to her loved ones… she didnt have to write a 7th, but she did- and shes putting it towards a good cause. Look at her dedication in Deathly Hallows. Its only right that there should be a seventh for her fans. Eventually we will be able to read it, I have no doubts about that.
I think its great that she wants to raise money for charity, but why don’t us loyal fans get thought of. I think it is so unfair. I’d never in a millon years be able to afford it. Why can’t it be published & the proceeds go to charity?
I hoping that whoever gets it will be lovely enough to let us know what the stories are about, or something like that. Who knows? Maybe Jo will put one of them in the Encyclopaedia.
...she looked directly at Harry and Ron and said grimly, "I've become accustomed to seeing the Quidditch Cup in my study, boys, and I don't really want to have to hand it over to Professor Snape, so use the extra time to practice, won't you?"
Matthew 6 Giving to the Needy 1”Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.