The Leaky Cauldron - J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter Book Notes: Illegal Copies of Half-Blood Prince on Scribd, More

Sun Mar 29 18:05:00 -0400 2009

Several pieces of news tonight relating to the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling. The Times is reporting that free copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were available on Scribd.com, a literary website where thousands of books and manuscripts are available for download online, often times without the consent or permission of the author. The Times spoke with legal representatives f...

Harry Potter Among All-Time Coolest Pop Culture Heroes from Entertainment Weekly

Fri Mar 27 14:30:00 -0400 2009

UPDATE: You can see the cover of the EW magazine, which features a newer photo of Dan Radcliffe as Harry and an old photo of Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort here in our galleries.

Entertainment Weekly has released a new list which ranks their Twenty All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture. Among the list of Pop Culture Heroes is none other than The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, who is ranked in fourth...

J.K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard on Shortlist for British Book Award

Tue Mar 10 07:08:00 -0400 2009

The Tales of Beedle the Bard written by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling have been nominated this year at the Galaxy British Book Awards. Beedle the Bard is on the shortlist for "Children's Book of the Year," along with a few others including: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, Captain Underpants & the Preposterous Plight by Dav Pilkey, Artemis Foul & The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer, <>Horrid He...

Followup: First Editon Copy of Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone Sells at Record Price

Tue Mar 10 06:58:00 -0400 2009

A quick followup this morning regarding this story from last month involving an auction of a rare First Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Scores of you owled to let us know the auction was completed, with the book selling for a record $19,120. The AP reports that "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was one of only 200 copies from the first printing issued with illustra...

Happy Birthday, Ron Weasley

Sun Mar 01 08:03:00 -0500 2009

A shopkeeper, an Auror, or a Wheezy he may be, for as noted on JKRowling.com today marks the birthday of a character with a heart of lion, and one who will always be our King. Everyone, please join us as wish Ron Weasley a Happy Birthday! Cheers!

Harry Potter Books at Auction: First Edition Philosopher's Stone Selling at Record Prices

Fri Feb 27 09:33:00 -0500 2009

Several pieces of news today regarding Harry Potter books up for auction. First thanks to Heritage Auction for letting us know about a first edition Bloomsbury copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Sorcerer's Stone) they have for auction. Heritage let us know this book is "a rare true first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – one of the original 200 copies in the p...

JK Rowling is Up to No Good... for a Good Reason

Sat Feb 21 07:43:00 -0500 2009

Today, we are happy to report that J.K. Rowling has been up to no good....for a good reason. The Harry Potter author paid a visit to a hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she brought cheer in the form of unique graffiti on the walls of the unit. The Scotsman writes: "Ms Rowling, 43, daubed graffiti on the walls of the Young People's Unit at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Morningside, which ...

Handprints of JK Rowling Now On Display in Edinburgh, Scotland

Thu Feb 12 08:36:00 -0500 2009

Last year we told you author J.K. Rowling was to be honored by the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. The event took place in September, where Jo received the Edinburgh Award. In commemoration of this event, hand prints of the Harry Potter author have now been made, and are on display for the public. STV reports her "her engraved handprints in Caithness stone are in the grounds of Edinburgh's City Ch...

Harry Potter Books Nominated at Kids' Choice Awards

Fri Feb 06 11:39:00 -0500 2009

It's Harry vs Edward again as the nominations for the 22nd Annual Kids' Choice Awards were made this morning. The Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling were nominated in the "Favorite Book" category yet again, along with the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do it Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney. Starting March 2 fans can go online via this link to cas...

"Deathly Hallows" Most Borrowed Book from UK Libraries

Thu Feb 05 23:39:00 -0500 2009

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the most borrowed book in the UK, according to new figures released from the Public Lending Right Agency. The Bookseller reports that the Seventh Book in author J. K. Rowling's series has been borrowed a total of 108,775 times from libraries in the UK. Deathly Hallows was also the most borrowed book under the children's titles list, followed by the Sixt...

Stephen King Comments on JK Rowling and Stephenie Meyer

Tue Feb 03 19:52:00 -0500 2009

Scores of readers let us know about a new interview with acclaimed author Stephen King, who has made some new comments regarding Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer. Speaking with USA Weekend, Mr. King compared the two authors and had some blunt things to say about the Twilight author Meyer. Quotage as follows:

<>Both Rowling and Meyer, they’re speaking directly to young people. ....

JK Rowling, Knight of the French Realm (Updated)

Tue Feb 03 13:08:00 -0500 2009

UPDATE 4: Video of J.K. Rowling at the award ceremony is now online here via our galleries.

As reported yesterday, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has been awarded the prestigious Legion of Honor from France. Very early reports from the AP say that at "a ceremony in a gilded hall in the Elysee presidential palace," JKR received the honorary title of "knight". Update 1: Photos are now available...

J.K. Rowling to Receive French Legion of Honor Award Tomorrow

Mon Feb 02 14:50:00 -0500 2009

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling will be receiving one of the highest honors from France, it was announced today. The office of Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, has announced they will be presenting JKR with "les insignes de Chevalier de l’ordre de la Légion d’honneur" (the Legion of Honor) tomorrow, February 3 at the Palace Elysee in Paris France. Congratulations Jo!

We are working to lea...

Cafe and Restaurant where JK Rowling Wrote Harry Potter Novels Now for Sale

Tue Jan 27 19:42:00 -0500 2009

A cafe and restaurant in Edinburgh, Scotland where J.K. Rowling famously wrote portions of the Harry Potter novels is up for sale again. The Scotsman reports the former Nicolson's Cafe, which was sold several years ago and is now the site of the Buffet King Chinese restaurant, is now for sale by owner Eddie Ng. Mr Ng apparently offered to sell it to the Harry Potter author " for £1 million – an...

More on Potter the Stage Production that Might have Been

Mon Jan 26 12:00:00 -0500 2009

The Telegraph has a short article online, with more on a possible Harry Potter stage production that might have been. The paper reports that many years ago, acclaimed theater director and producer Sir Trevor Nunn had expressed an interest in creating a stage production out of the Harry Potter novels, but when he asked, he discovered he was too late as he was told 'Oh if only you had come to u...