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MAY 29, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: JKRowling.com
J.K. Rowling has updated
her official site this morning by addressing the recent news that she would be writing a prequel to the Harry Potter series.
Waterstones Charity Auction
A few months ago a number of authors were invited to handwrite cards for auction by Waterstones, on June 10, all proceeds to go to English PEN, the writers' association, and the Dyslexia Society.
After playing around with a number of different ideas I decided to write a short (for me!) excerpt from a prequel to the Potter series. It is about 800 words long and the action takes place around 3 years before Harry is born.
Although I did feel a bit like a relapsing addict as I sat down to write - the words poured from my pen with frightening ease - I am NOT working on a prequel. Indeed, I've written that clearly at the bottom of the card itself. I just thought that this was the best way to make money for two extremely worthwhile charities.
The good news for Potter fans who will not be able to bid at the auction is that you will be able to read the short story (along with amazing contributions from Doris Lessing, Margaret Atwood, Tom Stoppard, Irvine Welsh, Sebastian Faulks, Axel Scheffler, Lauren Child, Nick Hornby, Neil Gaiman, Lisa Appignanesi, Richard Ford, and Michael Rosen) by purchasing a book of facsimiles, which will be available in August. The proceeds from this book, too, will go to the charities.
Thanks to BlogHogwarts for the tip.
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Witch
Points: 614
Harry_Hermoine_Fanz says:
Oh my god!! Can't wait for it to come out!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 9:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 819
accio_kim says:
800 words is about one A4 page in length, not long at all. However, I would be interested in buying this, not only for this prequel (obviously) but for the other contributions. A wonderful idea for charity.
Posted May 29, 2008 at 9:55 PM EST
Witch
Points: 940
witch_pirate says:
Wow. That's really cool that its actually true. But 800 words! That's only like 4 pages!
Posted May 29, 2008 at 11:43 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4080
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
I think I am the only one not totally interested in this prequel... I mean, I love the HP series, but I love it because of Harry, Ron, Hermione and all of the main characters in the 7 HP books. I am interested in the prequel, finding out about how everyone met before Harry came into this world, but I love the trio. If I read this prequel(if it indeed does go on sale at Waterstone's in August), it's going to make me miss the HP trio even more...
Posted May 29, 2008 at 11:43 PM EST
Weaselette
Points: 3184
WickedLoz says:
Three years before Harry is born? That is..
*does her math*
MARAUDERS IN THEIR SEVENTH YEAR!!!! *Screams her lungs out fangirl style*
Does this mean we get to find out *how* James and Lily got together?? EEP!!!! xD
Posted May 30, 2008 at 2:58 AM EST
Squib
Points: 152
ElvenLuna says:
*screams* YAY!!! SOME SORT OF PREQUEL!! Just what I hoped for! Don't care how short it is as long as it's something. Thank goodness it isn't a sequel. :D
Posted May 30, 2008 at 4:21 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2860
mad_eye muggle says:
Wicked!That would be an amazing read.I so hope I could get to read it.Man....3yrs. before Harry was born,that would be interesting.
Posted May 30, 2008 at 7:14 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1862
Bright Eyes says:
Aw, it's wonderful she did that for such a worthy cause! Perhpas we might get a glance sometime soon!
Posted May 30, 2008 at 7:45 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
Yay!!! I'll be buying that book certainly!
Posted May 30, 2008 at 9:45 AM EST
Lunarly challenged
Points: 2480
Grayback'sVictim says:
Oh, i would really like to read it!!!
I wonder what's gonny be in there, who will be in the center of the story.
Ahh, can't wait...
Posted May 30, 2008 at 11:09 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1687
jones_jj says:
Now this awesome. I'm glad to see JKR will be writing a short prequel for the series. I am going to buy this book when it comes out. I can't wait to see what JKR has to say about what happened the 3 years before Harry was born. I hope she will write a full book on this time period also to get the background history on how the story evolved.
Posted May 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM EST
I Am Queen of My Castle
Points: 3673
Hecate3fold says:
Thanks for letting me know about the update on her site.
Depending on the price I might be tempted to purchace the book when it comes out.
Blessings! Hecate3fold!
Posted May 30, 2008 at 2:58 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4655
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
JK Rowling is such a nice person! I'm glad she's making it affordable for the public, seeing as not everyone in the world can go to the auction.
~Drish~
Posted May 30, 2008 at 3:31 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2076
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
I can't wait for the book to come out in August so I can read what she wrote. I agree with BlackKatL that there is so much more she could write about. There are so many questions I would love answered. It would be so nice to know more about James and Lily and the Marauder era.
Posted May 31, 2008 at 1:39 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1576
ALLI8 says:
Wait, so she has a prequel but it's only for her? That' a little not fair, we need a prequel too!! That doesn't make any sence.
FYI: 800 words is like 2 pages...maybe a little less then that.
Posted May 31, 2008 at 9:13 AM EST
Student
Points: 220
dobbysfan says:
What can I say? Will be buying this.
AND Breaking Dawn is out in august my cup runneth over!
Posted May 31, 2008 at 4:23 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Thats sooo cool! I can't wait to see what the pregual is going to be about! I want the book now! Too bad that shes not going to write more. But, never say never, so we never know and she might just suprise us one day. Thats what I'm hoping for.
Posted May 31, 2008 at 7:30 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
That's absolutely incredible! I can't believe it!! Jo is full of surprises.
Posted May 31, 2008 at 7:56 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
GeeMessy says:
It would be great if she put out a prequel! I really hopes this gives her the urge to write one.
We need more Harry POtter!
I think it is great she is writing this for charity.
Cannot wait to read it!
Posted May 31, 2008 at 9:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1670
DumbledoresArmy says:
Yay!! this is super cool I can't wait to read it. Though I do wish she was writing a prequel, but it's not really needed.
Posted Jun 1, 2008 at 1:40 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1161
princess165 says:
Yay! this looks really really good. Even a short story is more than we initially expected, and it sounds like she collaborated with a lot of great authors; sounds like there will be several interesting short stories in the book. Can't wait to read it! Now I just have to remember to buy it when it comes out; hopefully there will be some sort of news on it when it comes out on HPANA . . .
Posted Jun 1, 2008 at 2:09 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2407
KissingDraco says:
Yay thats so great. Only I got so excited when I read shes going to write a prequel, and then its only so short. I would love to read so much more!
But it is still cool!
Posted Jun 4, 2008 at 9:51 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1392
SiriusFan says:
This will be fun to read (along with the other authors mentioned). It'll only make me wish for more stories from the Harry Potter world though. I'm still holding out hope that someday she'll write more, either prequels or sequels. I'd love to hear tales of the next generation, but my heart dreams of past stories involving James, Sirius and Remus. Sometimes I wish more authors had the stamina for long-term series like McCaffrey did with the Pern stories; she's been writing those (and her son now) for what, 30 years. Maybe if Jo has a few years off...a girl can dream :)
Posted Jun 4, 2008 at 3:01 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
She is an addict in a way isn't she? I love that she just used that opportunity to get her HP fix but then was quick to let the world know that there would be no prequel. HP doesn't need a prequel anyway (although I'd be over the moon if there was one)
Posted Jun 4, 2008 at 9:27 PM EST
Lady of Godric's Hollow
Points: 5292
GodricsGirl says:
WOO HOO!
A snippet of Potter is worth a 1000 pages of other drivel!
Can't wait.
Posted Jun 10, 2008 at 3:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3656
Anastasia Popovick says:
Oh that is exciting news! I cant wait!
Posted Jun 17, 2008 at 8:25 AM EST
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