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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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Student
Points: 292
Heartless says:
Hmmm... I wonder what I would see in the Mirror of Erised... I think, if I looked in it right now, I would see me with my cat Molly. (she went missing a couple weeks ago)
Hey, what would you guys see in the Mirror of Erised?
I love Whoopi! I'm going to start pronouncing Rowling 'Roulings'.
Posted Aug 4, 2006 at 8:05 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
AH what a great article!
i do kind of like the ships between the characters though, but its up to her who will end up with who.
those were some good questions btw.
Posted Aug 4, 2006 at 8:10 PM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5155
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
So J.K.Rowling whont write no more book. Well we all know that Harry whont die. and i think i know who will use a wand i think it would be dudley. mabe.
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 12:38 AM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
That's interesting about Hermione...I would have thought something about her sitting in an armchair surrounded by books.
N
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 8:38 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4393
ILoveHP! says:
Cool. I wish I could've been there as well! GRRRR!
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 10:14 AM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
On sceond though i would not have been theree.... stuff came in the way.... but it is good that this is reported here.
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 12:42 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1106
Melissa MISERY says:
Sweeeeet. :D (I've never heard of Irving, but Rowling and King together is totally awesome! They are two of my favorite authors. :D)
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 7:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 852
nejicanspin says:
Hermione likes someone?? Oh God! Here comes the guessing game!
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 8:00 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 313
xKreacherx says:
I liked the answers to her questions. Now I really want to know what would happen if a muggle got ahold of a wand and started fooling around with it. That could be amusing.
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 10:09 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
WoW!This is sooooo great.I wish I were there to witness a historic event.Imagine some of the greatest authors in the world come together in one on event.That's a once in a lifetime event.I'm glad that JK answered all the questions,gave us more knowledge about Harry.I just wish she would give us more information about the 7th book.
Posted Aug 5, 2006 at 11:36 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 503
Zauber says:
That is so cool. I cannot wait to see the 5th movie.
Posted Aug 6, 2006 at 1:30 PM EST
The Usual Suspect
Points: 3421
Orchid says:
I love hearing things from JK and I wish she could do that more often. Would love to find out where she is in writing book 7, not just that she is well into it, but I guess that is enough for now.
But still, it would be great to find out when it will be finished and published and ready to buy.
Posted Aug 6, 2006 at 4:43 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 622
Dumbledore's_Favorite says:
That sounds like one incredible event to be able to attend. It would be an honor to meet those famous authors. I wonder how 'far' in the final book JKR is by that comment. It would be nice to know some time frame to look forward to for a release.
Posted Aug 6, 2006 at 8:14 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
Haha those were good questions to be answered. i think dudley is gonna try and make a potion haha, the dursleys have to try and be involved in magic somehow in the end. Also, even thought draco makes such a good bad guy, i wanna see him come over to the good side. Hes not a killer.
Posted Aug 6, 2006 at 10:38 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1049
thirsty4hp7 says:
THAts cool i would love togo see them reading i would do anything to c JK.
Posted Aug 6, 2006 at 11:22 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 354
Ron&Hermione-forever says:
I hope Hermione does see herself closely entwined with... Ron! in the Mirror of Erised. I also hope that she sees herself alive with Ron and Harry.
Posted Aug 7, 2006 at 6:24 PM EST
Half-Blood Princess
Points: 2875
Katie Bloom says:
At least she answered a couple of questions. Wish I could've been there. Guess it was a good thing HPANA was then! Thanks for the update!
Posted Aug 7, 2006 at 8:04 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2218
annealicious says:
I'm so glad that Rowling decided to keep on writing and trying to get Harry Potter published! Can you imagine a world without Harry Potter??? Scary thought!
And Jon Stewart?! How cool! Now I wish I had been there even more. Oh well.
I like what Hermione would see in the Mirror, and I like that Draco still has a shot at redemption... I don't think he would have killed Dumbledore either...
Posted Aug 8, 2006 at 1:05 AM EST
Witch
Points: 646
~!*Gryffindor Rules*!~ says:
That seems really good that the authors are finnally coming together! Yay!
Posted Aug 8, 2006 at 11:50 AM EST
Auror
Points: 3239
Tenshi says:
Muggle + potions... Hmmm... I'm tempted to say one of the Dursleys, but that doesn't seem plausible... or does it? I love that redemption one... another thing to affect time?
Posted Aug 8, 2006 at 12:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 646
~!*Gryffindor Rules*!~ says:
I am vry happy she anaswer the quetserions but i hope she gives us ,ore about the book!
Posted Aug 8, 2006 at 2:49 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1763
hufflepuff_babe says:
hehe my icon says it all for my view on shipping. I love it.
Talking about Hermionie: "She would also see herself closely entwined with..." Won-Won!! It just has to be.
Posted Aug 9, 2006 at 12:11 AM EST
Witch
Points: 622
Hermison says:
those answers give soo much info. They must be analyzed correctly. I hope she finishes the book soon.
Posted Aug 9, 2006 at 12:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 534
Mrs. Mollywobbles says:
Oh my God! Can you imagine a life without Harry Potter...if J.K Rowling never got published...if she was just a teacher? There would be no reason to my life...
Posted Aug 9, 2006 at 2:25 PM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2518
5225 says:
Aaah thank you for the update. I am well hoping to read the second night's information.
Posted Aug 11, 2006 at 12:30 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9743
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
Wow this is interesting! It gives us a bit to ponder about what will come in book 7. Those were some good questions too.
Posted Aug 12, 2006 at 8:23 AM EST
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