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AUGUST 20, 2007 at 11:29 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Guardian
On Saturday we let you know that crime writer and neighbor of JK Rowling, Ian Rankin, speculated that she was "writing her Edinburgh detective novel" in city cafes. In a new interview
today with Mr. Rankin, he now states that:
This is a joke that got out of hand.
There were 600 people in the audience, and only one person didn't laugh.
Meanwhile Emma Schlesinger, speaking for Rowling's literary agent, Christopher Little called the rumors "unfounded" and:
JK Rowling is taking a well-earned break following the English language publication of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and there are no firm plans as yet as to what her next book may be.
Since the original quote of Mr. Rankin has spread like wildfire over the web let us hope that this new information will put this matter to rest.
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Princess of Anime
Points: 7543
Allenoray Mozart says:
This was a joke. Whats that Rankin guy playing at? I thought it was rather odd though. She said she was taking time off, which is understandable. And she really hasn't said what genre she was writing after the HP informational book, or encyclopedia. I don't think it was funny, and most certainly not something to laugh about, us fans take that stuff seriously! :/
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 12:52 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 570
minister of muggles says:
Never heard of the guy before, but i guess he's getting a lot of press now for that joke.
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 12:55 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1864
Bright Eyes says:
I thought as much. It sounded like a 'she said he said' rumour. I think JKR's taking a nice, long deserved break at the moment.
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 5:02 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 4522
Juicybit says:
Actually I would be happy if she were writing a detective novel. I know Jo is a fan of Agatha Christie and I'm sure she would do great. It would be very different from AC's work but great all the same.
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 6:21 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1229
sapphire260 says:
If it is a joke he should tell everyone, instead of letting it get out of hand like it did.
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 6:52 AM EST
Lips of an Angel
Points: 26393
3.1415926535 says:
hahahahaha so she isnt!!! hahahaha all those people who got their hopes up!!! ehehehheh! im so evil! :P no plans to what her new book will be? so she IS writing a new book!??!
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 8:21 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
Hehe..joke...yah, funny. erm, not!!!!!!
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 10:42 AM EST
Points: 1797
howdoideletethis says:
I was waiting for this to come out! I was expecting it to be false.. I mean, if she WAS writing a new detective novel, I don't think she would be telling people her plans.. it's so soon. Just give her time!
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 11:28 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 374
Big_D says:
HAHA... What???? I'm so confused. getting everyones hopes that JK Rowling is writing a new book which ends up as a joke. Come on!!!!
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 11:55 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1294
loonylupinlover says:
I really didn't think she would be writing so soon after finishing HPDH but who ever knows about a creative person. I did think it would be odd that she would be sitting in a cafe or another public place writing. that really didn't make any sense what so ever. This just proves there are some out there that have no sense of hmor what so ever.
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 12:20 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
Thats what I figured... Well thats ok... I'm fine with not haveing a book from her right now anyways.. she deserves the break! haha
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 12:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
I know what her next book should be, how about Harry Potter and the Epilogue! A Harry Potter 8 would be so fantastic!
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 2:22 PM EST
Witch
Points: 827
crazyeme says:
Hmmm... after reading the comment by h.p sauce I actually understand what the joke is. But I don't think Ranklin's popular enough around the world to make jokes like that. I mean how many people can say they've heard of Ian Ranklin let alone read his works compared to JKR? I suppose when taken in context it's funny. It's amazing what a single misunderstanding can cause...
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 4:26 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1582
ALLI8 says:
Man, i hate this about gossip and such. I really think she would of been good at writing a detective novel.
Allii8
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 5:42 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2590
Roswelladdict says:
I kind of figured this was a just a silly joke. I thought Jo was more interested in writing children's books than adult. Besides there is always one somebody who just doesn't get that it is a joke and they have to go and do something totally silly like spread the gossip.
I do hope that Jo is getting her well deserved break and enjoying all the rewards she has earned.
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 6:16 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 384
Hedwig101 says:
I heard that on the radio in Toronto! But the thing is, they reported it like it was serious! I remember thinking, um, no shes not i dont think, and thats a rumor and didnt she say she was taking a break?
I found it kind of amusing that these "reputable" news agencies actually took it seriously (but its also a tad concerning as well)
Posted Aug 21, 2007 at 8:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 580
The Prince's Tale says:
I knew it was a joke from the beginning, it sounded pretty much like Rita Skeeter spreading rumors about Harry..
Posted Aug 22, 2007 at 1:08 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1057
Herminone Potter says:
Thats always fun when a "joke" gets out of hand, maybe he just should have kept his mouth closed?
Posted Aug 22, 2007 at 1:24 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2575
Miss Amortentia says:
Haha hilarious...
Jo writing a DETECTIVE story! I just cant see that happening for some reason.
Posted Aug 22, 2007 at 6:07 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
Well it did seem pretty real at the time. Now that its dispelled, we'll just have to wait for her brain juices to start pumping so she writes again. :)
~MP~
Posted Aug 22, 2007 at 7:07 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4400
ILoveHP! says:
Funny! He doesn't seem to have abny sense of humor then!
Posted Aug 22, 2007 at 12:50 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2337
SlytherinStarGazer says:
OHHH!! See that makes more sense, Since she herself never stated anything, It was only that someone saw through a window....hehehehe. It would be cool if she was writing a mystery novel, but she has earned her break..Perhaps in the future she will all wonder us with a mystery novel....
Posted Aug 22, 2007 at 1:18 PM EST
Runs with vampires
Points: 2469
Careless Thunder says:
Yeah, I totally didn't think she would be writing a book this soon after DH came out. She totally needs a break, and deserves a long one!
Posted Aug 22, 2007 at 5:10 PM EST
Auror
(Moderator)
Points: 2484
Since the Start says:
And a funny one it was too... take your time Jo! Not that you need anyone's permission to do it!
Posted Aug 22, 2007 at 7:48 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1588
ravenbeaut says:
Wow.. I really believed it was true. I had even poked a little fun about it with some of my friends. ;)
Posted Aug 23, 2007 at 12:01 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2495
Jbird says:
That is very funny, and somehow I was waiting for that to happen. Of course these things are always taken out of context, and where one makes a joke others a little slow on the uptake, just don't quiet get it.
Posted Aug 23, 2007 at 12:57 AM EST
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