The first images and reports from the special party held in Edinburgh, Scotland by author J.K. Rowling for the release of The Tales of Beedle the Bard are now online. You can see early images here via Getty, while Reutershas some details from a question and answer session at the event. Jo said she was afraid of spiders, just like the character of Ron Weasley. Jo said: "What's funny is, as you probably know if you've read Harry Potter, I
gave Ron that fear. He's terrified of spiders, and Rupert Grint, who
plays Ron in the films, is absolutely petrified of spiders.
"I feel so sorry for him because I kept putting Ron in these situations where he had to encounter them."
Jo also noted the prompting behind the decision to publish the Beedle tales was brought about by fans.
The idea actually came from you, by which I mean Harry Potter fans,"
Rowling told around 200 primary school children gathered at Edinburgh's
Parliament Hall for a tea party that officially launched Beedle the
Bard.
"There was quite a lot of high feeling from Harry Potter fans that
only someone who had two million pounds could afford to read the book.
I thought 'fair point', so I thought 'I'll publish it and then the
charity can have that money too'."
Update: A new report is now online, from a fan who was in Edinburgh at the time of the event, and spoke to a few who were able to attend the release party who noted it was fantastic" and "a whole lot of fun." Christine Roberts writes via MuggleNet that Harry Potter cast members were at the party, including Matthew Lewis (Neville), Devon Murray (Seamus), and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood)
"There was quite a lot of high feeling from Harry Potter fans that only someone who had two million pounds could afford to read the book. I thought ‘fair point’, so I thought ’I’ll publish it and then the charity can have that money too’."
OMG you guys!!! All I can whisper is "THANK-YOU JO!!!!! I got both the deluxe and standard editions and the deluxe edition is so breathtaking!!!! I can only imagine what the real ones look like!!!! By far the best part though, was seeing the packages out by the mail box, AND that the feeling of reading Jo’s stories again…..PRICELESS……….
Posted by Bat Boogey Hexer on December 04, 2008, 04:22 PM
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Can’t wait to see the video of Jo’s reading! Like Lillylove, my copy of the collector’s edition is waiting for me at home. My husband just signed for it (according to UPS tracking!! Love UPS Tracking feature today!) I also bought a collector’s edition as a Christmas present for my daughter-in-law, who is also a Harry fanatic. Her jaw is going to drop!
I’m considering letting her open her gift early!! :-)
What a fantastic lady JKR is! This book is so cool. I went to Books-a-million, this morning, and picked up my copy! Several of the employees are Harry Fans, and were excited to see me. One said "I wondered when we’d see you!" They had a "Midnight Launch", they told me. Basically, they were there, at midnight…but no one else came…dagnabit! Now, if Santa will bring me Melissa’s book, I’ll be in "Harry Heaven"!
Posted by Confederate Lady on December 04, 2008, 05:19 PM
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I just finished reading my copy, which I received in the mail today. I loved it, especially Dumbledore’s commentaries at the end of each story.
My little girl was at the tea party in Edinburgh and we are still having to scrape her off the ceiling! I don’t think she will ever come down from this high.
Can’t wait for JKR’s reading footage! My copy was waiting for me when I got home from work today! YAY!