In the News

J.K. Rowling Updates Site on New Prequel Material

JKRowling.com
Posted by: Sue
May 29, 2008, 01:32 PM

Author J.K. Rowling is doing some updating this morning on her website, with a news entry on the upcoming charity auction featuring that special 800 word prequel to the Harry Potter series. Of note is the fact Jo says the story on the prequel card takes place 3 years before Harry was born. Full quotage is as follows:

“A few months ago a number of authors were invited to handwrite cards for auction by Waterstones, on June 10, all proceeds to go to English PEN, the writers’ association, and the Dyslexia Society.

After playing around with a number of different ideas I decided to write a short (for me!) excerpt from a prequel to the Potter series. It is about 800 words long and the action takes place around 3 years before Harry is born.

Although I did feel a bit like a relapsing addict as I sat down to write – the words poured from my pen with frightening ease – I am NOT working on a prequel. Indeed, I’ve written that clearly at the bottom of the card itself. I just thought that this was the best way to make money for two extremely worthwhile charities.

The good news for Potter fans who will not be able to bid at the auction is that you will be able to read the short story (along with amazing contributions from Doris Lessing, Margaret Atwood, Tom Stoppard, Irvine Welsh, Sebastian Faulks, Axel Scheffler, Lauren Child, Nick Hornby, Neil Gaiman, Lisa Appignanesi, Richard Ford, and Michael Rosen) by purchasing a book of facsimiles, which will be available in August. The proceeds from this book, too, will go to the charities.”

As reported below, this new 800 word Harry Potter prequel will involves James Potter and Sirius Black.

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113 Comments

FraA

ooooooohhhhhhh…. can’t wait to read it….....!!!!

Posted by FraA on May 29, 2008, 01:46 PM report to moderator
Sarah

Wow I’m so excited! Also JK Rowling has done two Harry Potter related writings now, and it’s not even been a year since Deathly Hallows came out!!! I think this bodes well for the future.

Posted by Sarah on May 29, 2008, 01:46 PM report to moderator
Alison aka NobleBirth Descending

Jo is so entertaining, even with her “news”. Can’t wait!

Posted by Alison aka NobleBirth Descending on May 29, 2008, 01:48 PM report to moderator
hannah

SOOOOO excited to read this prequel thing!!! :D i wish jo was writing a full prequel! imagine how amazing that would be!

Posted by hannah on May 29, 2008, 01:50 PM report to moderator
Hafsa

Yay! I’m excited that we can own this one. I hope she releases Tales of Beedle the Bard one day for charity, too!

Posted by Hafsa on May 29, 2008, 01:54 PM report to moderator
R.D

Amazing ….just amazing….

Posted by R.D on May 29, 2008, 01:57 PM report to moderator
becca

Yea! We will get to have it!!

Posted by becca on May 29, 2008, 01:58 PM report to moderator
Giulia

Oh my God! Dreams are becoming real-at least in part-! So happy! Thank you TLC for letting us know!

Posted by Giulia on May 29, 2008, 02:06 PM report to moderator
Linny

I always love going to her website. The background noises get me all excited.

I’m a strange person xDD

Posted by Linny on May 29, 2008, 02:06 PM report to moderator
kbnthomas

The words just poured from her pen? I thought The Lawsuit had sapped her will to ever write again sob

Eh, I think I’ll pass. She said the story would be complete after DH. So why does she keep coming back to it?

Posted by kbnthomas on May 29, 2008, 02:16 PM report to moderator
Rhiannon

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! YESSSSSSSSS! JAMES AND SIRIUS! I CANNOT WAIT!

In conclusion, I am quite excited. And extremely glad that this will be made available to the public.

Posted by Rhiannon on May 29, 2008, 02:18 PM report to moderator
Kiwi Mc I

I love J.K. Rowling, roll on August

Posted by Kiwi Mc I on May 29, 2008, 02:19 PM report to moderator
MuggleQueen

Awesome! Can’t wait to read it!!

Posted by MuggleQueen on May 29, 2008, 02:25 PM report to moderator
LeakyParker

I LOVE JO!

Posted by LeakyParker on May 29, 2008, 02:38 PM report to moderator
dillypoo

I hope Waterstones prints a lot of the facsimilies! They could have a best seller on their hands. I want to buy a copy!

Posted by dillypoo on May 29, 2008, 02:42 PM report to moderator
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