The Leaky Cauldron - J.K. Rowling

Update: JKR online chat

Mon Feb 23 12:38:27 -0500 2004

<>We now have some more details about the online chat with author JK Rowling on March 4th. The World Book Day Online Festivalwill be launched by JK Rowling with an interactive web-chat between 10 and 11am (in the UK).This will include 12 special questions from winners of a national schools' competition.
JK Rowling says:

<>"For me, being online is one of the best ways to get to Harry Potter fans; it's...

JK Rowling to receive Honorary Degree

Fri Feb 13 14:56:31 -0500 2004

The Scotsman reports today that JK Rowling will be receiving an honorary degree from Edinburgh University. She will be awarded the degree of doctor honoris causa, one of the university's highest accolades, in early July.

JK Rowling 2nd on culture influence list

Wed Feb 11 18:53:17 -0500 2004

In a show to air on the BBC3 "Top 50 Cultural Movers and Shakers", author JK Rowling has come in at second on the list. Compiled by fashion, film, media, and design industry experts, the creator of the iPod topped the list of most influential people in British culture.

Rowling To Visit Buckingham Palace

Wed Feb 04 08:46:03 -0500 2004

The BBC reports that JK Rowling will be part of a group of women visiting Buckingham Palace to celebrate working women and mothers.
Thank you, Pete!

Stouffer Appeal Denied

Thu Jan 29 02:12:05 -0500 2004

A federal appeals court has held up a ruling against Nancy Stouffer, who claimed that J.K. Rowling infringed upon her work. The sanction, for $50,000, was held by US District Judge Allen G. Schwartz of the Southern District of New York, who said there was “clear evidence” that Stouffer had presented her evidence against Rowling fraudlently. More at the link.

JK Rowling's "First" Adult Prize

Thu Jan 15 01:38:30 -0500 2004

<>Many of you have written in to tell us and we thank you for reminding us - the WHSmith award, should JKR win it, will not be her first adult award. She won the Hugo Award in 2001 for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The Hugo Awards are not for only-adult books. However, the WH Smith award is specifically for the version of OotP with the adult cover; this may be the first award she wins wher...

USAToday

Fri Dec 19 07:09:34 -0500 2003

<>The Life section of USAToday mentions J.K. Rowling as an one of 'three authors who wrote their way up the lists':
<>Fans had been waiting for three years for J.K. Rowling's fifth in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It came out June 21, the first day of summer and immediately broke publishing records (5 million copies the first day), previously set by Harry Potter and the Gobl...

J.K. Rowling Supports Increase in Child Tax Credit

Wed Dec 10 13:01:55 -0500 2003

As reported in The Mirror:
Hundreds of supporters of the National Council for One Parent Families called for an increase in the Child Tax Credit.

JK Rowling, once a single mum living on benefits, has thrown her weight behind the campaign to slash child poverty. The charity wants an extra £5 per child, per week to be added to the average £49.61 child tax credit.

Thanks to Sue for the link.

Forbes' Most Powerful Women in Hollywood List

Wed Dec 03 18:07:30 -0500 2003

J.K. Rowling is #55 on Forbes' latest list.
How do they determine this - do they make them all arm wrestle?

Thanks to Sue & Charlie for the link!

J.K. Rowling Donates Money for Land Conservation

Mon Dec 01 21:38:39 -0500 2003

J.K. Rowling donated almost £200,000 to enable the Highland Perthshire Community Land Trust purchase 1000 acres for purposes of conservation.
Thanks to HPANA.com for the link.

Rowling to do Online Web Chat on World Book Day

Fri Nov 28 15:20:02 -0500 2003

Happy Thanksgiving to our American readers!

For the first time in years, J.K. Rowling will do a Web chat. It will be on March 4, 2004, World Book Day, as part of an event with 12 other authors.

<>The bestselling author will talk to children about her books, her writing and the kind of books she likes to read. And during the chat, JK Rowling will answer twelve special questions from the winners of ...

Sotheby's Auctions 1st Editions

Mon Nov 24 18:54:14 -0500 2003

On December 3rd, Sotheby's will auction off two signed first editions of Goblet of Fire (11 signed Harry Potter books in total will be auctioned). One of the copies is inscribed with a personal note from JKR to her father, which reveals that Ron Weasley was named after someone called Ronald Ridley. Thanks for the links, Sue.

J.K. Rowling on the Simpsons

Sun Nov 23 20:27:35 -0500 2003

Just in case you missed it, a truly hilarious line from JK Rowling on The Simpsons, when Lisa meets JKR outside a shop in England:

<>Lisa: It's JK Rowling [mispronounced...], author of the Harry Potter books! You've turned a generation of kids on to reading!
JKR: Thank you, young muggle.
Lisa: Can you tell me what happens at the end of the series?
JKR: He grows up and marries you. Is that what you wa...

J.K. Rowling on the Simpsons

Fri Nov 21 07:33:49 -0500 2003

Thanks to all the readers who wrote to remind us that The Simpsons episode with J.K. Rowling airs this Sunday. Website ExpresoHogwarts.com has an image preview!

J.K. Rowling: Favorite Scot

Thu Nov 20 20:28:57 -0500 2003

J.K. Rowling has been nominated (again) for the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Top Scot Award.
Thanks to Liz and to Sue for the links!