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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: 289
Jynessa says:
That's sounds great! I wish I could've been...
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 10:29 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27761
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
YAY!!!
I could have been there!
GAH!!!!!!!!!!!
:)
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 10:41 AM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 5162
Weesa says:
Well we know Hermione would be entwined with Ron.
And now she's given us more questions. Like what muggle tries to use a wand? And what happens when they do? I'm still not sure about Draco redeeming himself though.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 10:48 AM EST
Witch
Points: 952
Ascella says:
I'm soooo jealous of those who could go to this event... But I think it was a bit rude (Completely rhetorical: What was it Dumbledore said about unintentional rudeness? hehehe) to publically appeal to an author on how to end a book (series). I mean, honestly, I don't want Harry to kick the bucket either; but if that is how JKR sees the ending, I stand by her creative genius (it hasn't let me down thus far!).
But there is hope for Snape! Whohoooo *doing a little dance*!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:00 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 887
Magic_Ty4 says:
Aww man I wish I could have got some of my questions answered.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:02 AM EST
Witch
Points: 935
fizzingwhizbees says:
I was there! it was awesome i was first in line to get in! jon stewart ws so funny and jk rowling was so nice to us amercians. best time of my life!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:15 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
.:harrylover:. says:
I would have loved to be there.. Stephen King and JK is my two fauvorite writers. And John Irwing isn't bad either.. I agree with Whoppi when she said historical.. or atleast BRILIANT!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:16 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1005
HP_obsessor says:
Thanks for this! I was there too and I was afraid that I'd forget it!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:20 AM EST
Witch
Points: 917
hermioneadmirer says:
I wanted to go to that just to hear the authors themselves read from their own books. I would have loved to ask her a few questions myself.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:28 AM EST
Queen of Magical Divas
Points: 4336
Ezzy says:
Hello again
I can't wait till tomorrow. I hope she mentions the date of her book release before she leaves the big apple.
I would like to say hello to Veronica Smiley. I hope you are doing fine.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 651
Therin Ennui says:
(dancing a funny Hermione-esque jig). Entertaaaining. Lalalaaa!
I've always wondered about potions. I figured there had to be magic because of Snape's "softly simmering cauldron" speech, but I'd always assumed that they were just magical ingredients (Mandrakes and the like) so Muggles and Squibs could potionify too.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:37 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
Wow, that's pretty cool. I wonder... Malfoy, if only for a moment, was pure, is it possible that, in the future, he will regret not helping Dumbledore? He was a coward in not helping, the rest would have died for Dumbledore. In that moment, he made Harry into his enemy for life, and Harry will seek revenge, I'm sure of it. I can't wait to see what else Jo gives us, so ask good questions please.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:38 AM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3672
Hecate3fold says:
This was the best! I really enjoyed reading this. It made me feel like I was actually there. Great story! And Whoopi Goldberg, what a fantastic person she is. I've followed her career for years. She is also one of my favorites, and a great addition to a spectacular night! Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:43 AM EST
Witch
Points: 509
luna_moon says:
That's awsome. I would have given anything to be there. J.K. and Jon Stewart and Stephan King and Whoopi Goldberg all in one night? I would have been rolling on the ground and drooling if I could have been there.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:43 AM EST
Witch
Points: 651
Therin Ennui says:
I've actually read all of the comments now and have two additional things to say.
1. I agree with everything that Ascella said in her comment. (And welcome and congratulations on your first post, it seems!)
2. I didn't know about this "shipping" war until after HBP came out, because I was completely uninvolved with the Harry Potter internet world. I originally thought the Harry/Hermione shippers were just, y'know, insane, and while that feeling hasn't completely disappeared I applaud their faithfulness to their belief.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 11:46 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 427
Padfoots Escape says:
This is really great, i really cant wait to hear more!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:06 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1174
Fleur Delacour* says:
I really hope that Draco Malfoy will redeem himself, but, i do not think he will, but, i think that if he really did want to, i know that he could, because like Jo said, anyone can redeem themself.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:12 PM EST
Points: 10161
GodricGryffindor says:
I like the question about if she knows when to stop editing and writing, because it makes it seem like book 7 is going to be long.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 952
Ascella says:
Thanks Therin Ennui! I've enjoyed reading the forums here and couldn't resist throwing in my 2 cents.
Yeh, I've stayed away from the shipping myself, as I realized I had a hard time enjoying that which was not supported by canon. And I didn't want to be a wet blanket to anyone who is enjoying the more unconventional ships. So ship away. *averting her eyes* I imagine the shipping will continue no matter what is in store for the final installment.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:17 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 415
øffe-joe687½ says:
I wish i had been there.
Sounds cool.
Snooch to the nooch
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:21 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1270
SlytherinHeiress says:
Are those really all the questions asked? I was hoping someone would ask a question like, "What is the title of the book?" Oh, well.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:25 PM EST
Points: 865
superduperpotter says:
Thanks for the update HPANA. i dont know what us fans will do if this didn't exist.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 852
WitOfHermione says:
3 of my favorite authors in the world and I had to miss it! Ugh, Im so depressed! All those cool celebrities! I really hope they raised an amazing amount of money for their charity.Does anyone have an video on this? Good questions also!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 952
Ascella says:
Does Draco really need redemption? Or forgiveness (and a cauldron-full of maturity). I ask because I have trouble seeing him do much self-redeeming other than to save his own skin (or a relative - Narcissa?). I think he will have regret about Dumbledore, but it isn't like he's going to join the Order of the Pheonix anytime soon.
I doubt Draco will ever be pals with Harry, that's asking a little much.
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:29 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
Well I found this review to be rather quite interesting, I never knew JKR wanted to be a teacher, I think she would have made a good one. And also Im really glad that her book were accepted and published! Cant wait for the next installment!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:32 PM EST
Harry's Lost Brother
Points: 10058
American Harry Potter says:
I'm glad that they had some good questions. I like the cyber gang wars. The ship wars are pretty brutal I must say!
Posted Aug 2, 2006 at 12:37 PM EST
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