|
Jo Rowling updates official site with prequel charity news 
MAY 29, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: JKRowling.com
J.K. Rowling has updated
her official site this morning by addressing the recent news that she would be writing a prequel to the Harry Potter series.
Waterstones Charity Auction
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.
Thanks to BlogHogwarts for the tip.
Reader Comments (54)
click to read...
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2008 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
Witch
Points: 792
harrypotterfan4eva says:
Ohhh that sure tricks you, when it says 800 WORDS long! But well how many pages is 800 words? like 5? Danggg. Still I'm excited!!!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 9:51 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2081
Nataly says:
Excited also! Funs would be able to read this short story.. available in August! Can't wait
Posted May 29, 2008 at 10:18 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1779
Veela~Girl says:
Yeah I agree, I read it so fast at first that I didn`t notice the length. The when they describe her writing on an index card, front and back to finish her story, I realized just how short it is. Oh well, still pretty cool. And I haven`t totally given up hope that she might revisit the Potter world in a novel sometime in the future, if it happens I don`t think it would be for a long time though.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 10:21 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 25658
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Awesome!!!!!!!
:D
I love when she updates her site, so fun. ha ha.
I am so excited to read this :D
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Posted May 29, 2008 at 10:57 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8184
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Glad to see the update. Nice to know that we can get to read it. Would be great if the Beadle the Bard book were released. I think it would be a fun read.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 11:53 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2028
JAYSTARR says:
This is Brilliant...But that means IF, this is not a start of a Prequel to her books...This only means she will never write anything before the books. Meaning how it all began, who the characters real are, and how they met...
Posted May 29, 2008 at 11:56 AM EST
Student
Points: 246
Twilight princess midna says:
At least we can get to read it. I hope I can get it, I'd love to get it.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 12:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 524
KarateKid says:
800 words is not a lot. However, it's much better than nothing. Reading that it's going to be set about 3 years before Harry was born just makes me think about the letter Lily sent to Sirius, as well as the photo... just something about that whole thing. I know the letter was sent after Harry's first birthday but it still has that kind of essence (?) to it.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 12:09 PM EST
Witch
Points: 892
ivyelizabethwalker says:
3 years before Harry is born?
That's cool.. I can't wait to read it!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 12:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 541
yuko says:
Can't wait for august, then! I'll be in london and I'll buy it there, probably...
Posted May 29, 2008 at 12:56 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1999
PHOENIX5625 says:
An update! Yea it was easy for her to write it she wants to write another book. I wonder what she chose to write about. 800 words is not a very long story, it could be about anything.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 12:59 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 68
ameryth74 says:
Woo Hoo! A Marauder Era tale! It excites me that she chose a James and Sirius story, even though she said she isn't working on a prequel. I secretly hoped/wished when she made the comment that if she ever wrote another HP book that it probably wouldn't be about Harry, that it might be about the Marauders... I heart them. :-D Can't wait to read this!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 1:37 PM EST
Weird Sisters Bassist
Points: 8319
Paper Cut says:
800 words is maybe a page on a publishing programme like Word. But hey, will still be awesome. When i saw this on msn news, I thought that the ONLY copy would be the one at the auction. But I will definitely be buying the book of them, just to read this one.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 2:23 PM EST
Lupin's Eternal Love
Points: 3062
BlackKatL says:
I Sincerly hope she goes back on her word, and writes un a marauder era prequel... There is so much story there!! So many questions unanswered!! Plus My Favorite Characters... James, Lily, Sirius & My Beloved Remus! More than 7 years of history!! Ending on the October 31..... We all know what happend after... Maybe some hints of how Remus & Sirius survived all those years till PoA.... It would be an incredible book or two!! I'd Love It!!! I won't give up Hope!! Maybe in 5 or 10 yrs... ::Sighs Sadly::
Posted May 29, 2008 at 2:32 PM EST
Points: 7828
Rococoed says:
This is just marvelous. I will certainly purchase the book when it comes out in August!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 3:36 PM EST
Student
Points: 267
Secret Keeper says:
This is exciting, can't wait to read it. Glad it will be available to buy in August. I too keep hoping she will write another Potter book, there is still so much of this story to tell.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 4:55 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 40
kikipotter103 says:
I am excited. That is awesome
Posted May 29, 2008 at 5:08 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1133
Luna! says:
Oh good. At least we can get it but I'm not sure about myself since I live in Australia. Please tell us they're publishing it here too?
I hope so.
*crosses fingers*
Posted May 29, 2008 at 5:16 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2502
School Governor says:
Wow, that will be amazing, hope it comes out soon!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 5:34 PM EST
Squib
Points: 145
OceanBaBY says:
Wow! I want to read this prequal so much! I think J.K. Rowling should write a preqaul -OR-
J.K. Rowling should write a book about Harry's children going to Hogwarts. They could find out about the history of Hogwarts. I would love to know more about the wonderful castle of Hogwarts.
P.S.: I also think it is great that all the proceeds are going to charity, and I will definitley buy the book.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 5:44 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 2854
Tikihaha says:
Count me in!! I will definitely buy this book of short stories when available ... but let's face it, I'd buy JK Rowling's shopping list if it were made available!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 6:25 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2101
phoenix_feathers says:
Drats! It'd be soooo cool to have a prequel to the potter series, would it not? That's okay- I hope that we'll have the oppurtunity to read it!!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 6:30 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1684
zues says:
What's a "facsimiles" and where do I get one?
Posted May 29, 2008 at 7:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1590
~Harry's true love~ says:
That's amazingly true. If she writed anything about Harry Potter, suddenly the whole world knows about it. Arg! I want to know what she wrote, it's not that long...if your a writer. But to a reader it means the world!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 8:54 PM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 3923
Yolis says:
Words i cant say..im so happy..i knew she was going to write..some more..and..it will come in Aug. that is awsome..i have to save more monies..i will be broke after i buy my laptop..but..will save monies for the book...im so exited...
Posted May 29, 2008 at 8:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
Oh my god!! Can't wait for it to come out!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 9:16 PM EST
Back to top of page