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AUGUST 2, 2006 at 4:00 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: HPANA
The first of two charity readings by authors JK Rowling, Stephen King and John Irving concluded Tuesday evening at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
HPANA was in attendance and has full coverage of the event:
The best-selling authors read from some of their popular works, including Different Seasons, A Prayer for Owen Meany and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as well as answered probing questions from audience members.
Actress Whoopi Goldberg took to the stage first and warmed up the crowd, standing at a podium shaped like a bookcase with each author's name on faux spines. She called the group of authors a "force of nature" and the evening "historic" (even while pronouncing Rowling's name "Roulings").
"Reading is alive and well," said Goldberg. The event served as a testament to what happens when you "put great books in the hands of great readers."
Kathy Bates, who starred as one of Stephen King's most memorable and frightening characters in Misery, introduced him while gushing about the influence her affiliation with him has had on her life. (King later said: "I never met a gross story I didn't like.")
John Irving discussed the desire of audiences to want to know what happens to characters, whether one likes them or dislikes them (which may be most striking to Potter fans eager to determine the loyalties of Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy).
Host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, Jon Stewart, finally introduced JK Rowling to a standing ovation, after jokingly commenting on how his five-month-old baby had already been in line for three months in anticipation of book 7. Rowling then read from chapter 13 of Half-Blood Prince, "The Secret Riddle," in which Harry explores Dumbledore's memory of first meeting Tom Riddle in an orphanage.
Rowling then answered questions from the audience. Here are a few highlights (paraphrased):
NBC News correspondent Soledad O'Brien then mediated the rest of the question/answer exchange, noting that over 1,000 questions had been submitted for the authors.
Rowling was asked how online communication and fan interaction influenced her writing. She responded, in part, that the "shipping wars" were like "cyber gang wars", referencing Harry/Hermione shippers, Hermione/Ron and ones she did not even want to talk about (as several audience members shouted out various suggestions).
Speaking about rejection, Rowling said her works were declined representation early on, like most budding authors. While she landed an agent rather quickly, it was years before she got a book deal. "I was determined," said Rowling. "I would not have stopped writing," she said, even if she had never been published. What would she be doing with her life? "I'd be teaching," she concluded.
We'll have more after tomorrow night's reading. Stay tuned!
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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1492
Catty Kate says:
Yeah maybe there is hope for Draco after all. YAY!!!!!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1720
hpforever138 says:
hey, I went last night and it was awesome! JKR was fantastic and I wish I could go again tonight!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:43 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3045
Tinker.belle says:
I think that was a very interesting interview. I'm glad this authors got together to do some charity I think They are great. All of them.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 3:58 PM EST
Forgetful Werewolf
Points: 14831
Patronus_Potter says:
Sounds like a good evening...
Some of those answers are very interesting, i wonder how much we will find out in Book Seven... Will those questions be answered..
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 4:08 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 479
jenjen220 says:
I hope they ask her more questions tomorrow... I'm guessing that Hermione would see herslef "closely entwined" with Ron..
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 4:27 PM EST
Wino Forever
Points: 8174
true half-blood prince says:
Oh, those were some rather good questions. I wonder if Harry would still see what he saw before in the mirror. Or what would Snape see in the mirror.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 4:30 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1159
princess165 says:
Sounds like it was an awesome night! Jo's answers to the questions were interesting, even if they weren't informative exactly about book 7.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 4:37 PM EST
The Faerie Queene
Points: 3277
merri maven says:
Wow! I wonder if any of the other authors got a standing ovation from the audience as well!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 4:39 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
Sound like everyone had a great couple of days. I liked the questions and answers Rowling gave. A muggle picking up a wand, could this have something to do with Aunt Petunia?
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 4:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 631
filipipa says:
Owwwww.... I wish i could have gone to it..... >_< but so far from here, impossible....
And everyone knows that the person who hermione would be entwined with is definatly Ron.... I just can't understand the H/hrshippers. Are people so blind that can't see the difference between friendship and love? And i'm glad that there is a chance to see Malfoy redeemed! I started liking his character very much since the 6th book.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 5:07 PM EST
Witch
Points: 531
ronNhermione4evr says:
WOW! That is great I think she answered the questions well without giving away anything! I love her and can't wait for the next book!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 5:09 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1771
Patronus** says:
It sounds so amazing!! I'm so jelious of all the lucky pwople that went hee hee! Sounds like everyone had fun though! Hopefully she will do a reading over here in the UK soon! Fingers crossed!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 5:12 PM EST
Hogwart's Ghost
Points: 2604
gemma_barnett1985 says:
Ooooooooooo, that sounds so good
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 5:12 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1150
Witch_one_counts? says:
I'm glad to hear so many great authors are getting together to answer fan questions. And I really CAN'T wait until the 7th book comes out. I can't can't CAN'T! Ok, so maybe I can, but it's going to suck.
I'm well into writing book 7
I'm glad to hear that too. This, I think, is going to be the most eagerly awaited book ever. Have an awesome day everyone :)
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 5:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1492
*PotterPrincess* says:
Im very happy with the questions asked to Jo. I mean people didnt go out of they way to try to find out the ending of the book. I think Jos answers were quite fulfilling and smart.
I love that authors come together to try to get people to read more.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 5:45 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
See all you H/HR shippers out there its all about Ron and Hermione!!! They are the true cannon ship!! Ha!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 5:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 914
hp-luver says:
Wow! That sounds so cool! I wish I could've been there. I bet Book 7 will be great.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 6:26 PM EST
Lady of Hufflepuff
(Moderator)
Points: 10339
Lady Lee says:
After reading about all of this, I am really eager to read book seven. It sounds as though there's going to be a lot going on in this last book. But of course we knew that!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 6:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 657
krissiebear says:
Ah, sounds like people asked some interesting questions and that the interview was awesome.
I still wish we had a name for the book. We had the name for HBP well in advance. I think we are due for the book 7 name.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 7:06 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 371
Mamaille says:
*crying* I cant wait I WANT MORE!!!!!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 7:29 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2351
Skitch says:
Wonderful! It would be so much fun to be able to witness the readings and see all the fans together. It seems like such a good spirit is in attendance with these sorts of things.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 7:34 PM EST
Queen of the Fae
Points: 4613
marauderette says:
I would have loved to have seen it! I hope we learn when to expect what will happen in book 7. i want the title! Something that will peak our interest and allow us to theorize even more.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 7:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
Wow what you would decide to ask would be really hard!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 7:53 PM EST
Squib
Points: 142
Marry Me Dan! says:
*sigh* I really wish I could have gone to see them. So many awesome authors assembled and talking about their books, and my favorite of all of them, Jo, answering questions about our favorite boy wizard. *drools* Oh well, next time, I guess.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 8:14 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
This sounds like it has been so interesting and so much fun. I am jealous but happy that someone was able to be there.
I do have a thought about her comment If a Muggle picked up a wand, it would probably result in something accidental and violent. (We'll find out more about this in book 7.) Could we learn more about Petunia in this manner? I have always though that Petunia wanted more to do with the wizarding world. I guess we will have to wait to find out, though!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 8:31 PM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
How do you pronounce 'Roulings'? It looks like 'Roolings', but also like 'Rowling', but it can't be like 'Roolings' cause you can't get that from 'Rowling'. Okay, enough about the name, and yes, she is a force of nature - the one that stimulates the minds of young readers.
Hmm, does that mean that King based his book on a real woman named Kathy?
Haha, closely entwined with, lemme see, Ron? :P
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 8:41 PM EST
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