JK signs the first copy of 'Half-Blood Prince'

In advance of the publication launch at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday 16th July, Bloomsbury is releasing an EPK of JK Rowling signing the first copy of her new book Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to be donated to the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. It will be delivered to the National Library on publication day, Saturday 16th July.

Jason Cockcroft, the British illustrator, reveals that he hasn’t read the new book but was commissioned to paint the dramatic front cover image of Dumbledore and a "more handsome, more dashing" Harry "with spiky rather than floppy hair" in a cave facing something "truly terrifying".

I am delighted that JK Rowling has signed and donated the first copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to the National Library of Scotland. The Harry Potter books continue to enthral readers of all ages across the world, and we are delighted to add this special copy to the Library, which is located close to where Harry Potter was written, and lies in the heart of the first UNESCO City of Literature. We look forward to welcoming the many children — and adults — who will want to come to the National Library of Scotland and see this unique book.