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NOVEMBER 24, 2003 at 10:18 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: Contact Music via Wizard News
According to Contact Music, author J.K. Rowling's father is "unleashing secret details
from her massively popular Harry Potter novels, in an attempt to raise over $200,000 (GBP125,000)."
In the letter written at the start of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK reveals character Ron Weasley is based on a family friend called Ronald Ridley - something the author was keen to keep private.
It reads, "Dear Dad, If I had said Ronald (Weasley) Ridley, they would have tracked the poor bloke down... but that's why Ron's called Ron, of course!"
The sale will take place at Sotheby's in New York on Dec. 10, 2003.
[Editor's note: My question is why is he trying to raise cash - is it for a good cause?]
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Student
Points: 253
Emma724 says:
I'm wondering if JK approves of this.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 2:53 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 434
Tippytoes says:
I like to hear some secrets but it may spoil the books for me...This better be for good cause. If not then shame on him trying to make money off his daughter like that and without permission too.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 3:06 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1726
lightheart says:
I don't think we've been told the whole story. 200,000 is a lot of money - you'd have to hope that this is a fundraiser for something or other.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 4:17 PM EST
Witch
Points: 684
Malakite says:
I don't care if it's for charity or not. If MY dad sold off books *I* wrote, gave him first copies of, and wrote personal notes on, I'd be very hurt. If he wants to raise money for charity, he could ask me to sign some OTHER books to sell, with a message geared towards the potential buyer, a certificate of authenticity, everything! Instead, he is selling off her pride and joy and work. That stinks, no matter what the reason.
And I agree that if it were for charity, that would have been mentioned. It's pretty much always mentioned first thing - "Rowling's dad to sell books for charity". Come on, you have seen that kind of headline before! But this didn't say that.....
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 4:24 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 319
enowonkenobi says:
That's very sad. i really hope that he doesnt reveal all the secrets becuase that is something that JKR has been holding on to at for a long time and even trusted her father with. Maybe if the hints are orgins, like the "Ronald Ridley" thing, that may be ok, but if he reveals the future plot I think that would not only be betraying JKR's trust but also spoiling a lot of things for the fans.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 5:19 PM EST
Student
Points: 281
LiLSw33ti says:
Is he cashing in for himself? Or is it for a charity? Its stupid if its for himself because why would he want to sell something his daughter gave him?
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 5:20 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 69
priori incantatem says:
I think that JK's ideas and the people she got ideas from is none of our business unless she wants it to be.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 5:20 PM EST
Points: 549
Lady Aya says:
Thats when you can say CRAP, and then evily stare at the people who leaked it. Its instring to know who she based all the chara on, kinda like i do but i wont go into that.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 5:21 PM EST
Heir of Slytherin
Points: 5499
Spazzingduck says:
Normally, I'm all for hints and/or clues to future books, but if he's not doing it for charity, he's just plain selfish.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 5:50 PM EST
Head House Elf
Points: 2756
Dobby says:
That is so rude of her dad! He doesn't need to tell the media- or anyone for that matter, secrets that JK has in store for her books! AND now that poor Ronald Ridley guy is going to have people following him around! Mr. Rowling better give whatever money he makes to charity and not be greedy!
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 6:21 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
Hmmm thats interesting, so this is JKs dad running this little thing, maybe he thinks its just cool, or maybe he is tryin to cash in on the HP dynasty who know? i obviously don't but hey whatever!
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 6:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1524
Doctor Elect says:
I noticed ridley sounds a little bit like Riddle could Ron be Voldemort's son. Think about it Ron desires to be better than his brothers and Voldemort desires to the best
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 6:50 PM EST
Points: 78
Dnez says:
guys guys...just calm down here. This was on the documentary Harry Potter and Me I think was the title of it. Not only did they show him on camera, but also interviewed Ron with JK. This is not a real secret. Don't really see how it would ruin any of the future books. She did say in the documentary that she gets along great with her father so I am sure she gave permission...no worries.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 6:51 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra says:
I think that JKR and her father are in agreement about this. It's all marketing and advertising. So cool to be the inspiration of such a character like Ron or his family. The Weasleys are amazing!
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 7:16 PM EST
Student
Points: 257
Hellodoggy says:
I really would like to know the secrets. But then again I would want to be patient and get them with the books. But since this is for charity I guess it is good. Also, JKR should have a say in it.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 7:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 585
Joyce says:
This is sad. The books were given to him by his daughter. To a parent, they should have more value than money ever could. This must break JK's heart. Why would he do such a thing. Surely if he needed the money JK could have helped him. I just can't understand, even if it was for charity, he should sell something else. These books were for her father. Just like the special gifts we charish from our children (pictures, handprints, self made birthday cards etc.). Shame on him!
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 7:45 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 461
Fawkes says:
I don't think there's any possibility, as someone said above, of "that poor Ronald Ridley guy is going to have people following him around". If you look again, the dedication in the book is "in memory of Mr Ridley". That means Ron Ridley is unfortunately no longer with us.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 7:55 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 342
Tearbear says:
I'd be for it if he has JKR's approval, and its for a good cause. But if he just wants money, shame on him I say.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 8:07 PM EST
Witch
Points: 606
~*~Marauderette~*~ says:
I don't really have any problem with him auctioning the book off. But if it has any secrets that might spoil the next two books then I'm totally against it. You know that if somebody got their hands on it that it would probably end up on the internet. But really, why would Peter Rowling need to sell the book? His daughter may be the first author billionaire! Wouldn't he be well taken of? Well I really don't know what goes on in their family so..yea..I just know for one thing that I won't have any chance of getting my hands on the book. I'm flat out broke! Do you think I could get it for ...$2?
But there's still that thing about his daughter giving him the book. If she gave it to him personally (which it looks like she did) then he really has no right to give it out. Someone said it was like Jo gave him a handprint or something. It was something that he should cherish forever. But I expect he's getting up there in his years and he just wants to share the Harry Potter wealth around. There's some many things that could be involved in this that hasn't been told to everyone else, so I don't think we should start judging him. But I would think that he would give the money to a charity. *shrugs shoulders* Who knows?
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 8:25 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2162
Callie07 says:
thats bad. Why would he do that?
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 8:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 955
kab240 says:
I agree with Kim Weasley, and they'll track the poor bloke down!
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 9:04 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2881
Chogiiiirl says:
Wow, what a great dad! I wish mine was more like that (not). This is pretty pathetic of him, to auction off things given to him from his daughter, even if they weren't from a daughter who is the most famous author of all time (probably). How sad!
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 9:12 PM EST
Patronus
Points: 3704
Expecto Patronum says:
hmm..what's he trying to raise this money for?? JK can just give him the stinkin money if he needs it, it was wrong from him to do that tho, especially if it was without her consent. The world these days..
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 9:35 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2034
Professor Snape says:
I agree with the good points mentioned by Hairy Potty. If J.K. wanted these secrets/facts known by the general public she would have either mentioned them in her books or doing and interview or q and a session. Even her father doesn't have the right to release info dealing on what stuff his daughter uses for making up names of characters in her books.
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 10:45 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1157
lizzie5987 says:
hmm, so they are just doing that for a fundraiser? wow some one who pays that much money surely it is a true fan!
If i had the money i think i will definetly do it! heheh
i hope they raise the money, i think they will and probably even more
Eli
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 11:12 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 308
davie7117 says:
WOW I think that sucks big time... I mean she has worked really hard on this and for her own father to come along and mess the whole thing up is sad...
Posted Nov 24, 2003 at 11:35 PM EST
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