While at the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival J.K. Rowling revealed that she plans to write at least seven Cormoran Strike novels under her pseudonym Robert Gaibraith. The first two, The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm have already been released and Rowling stated that she is halfway through the third novel and is starting the plot for the fourth. Some quotes from Rowling at the event may be read below:

“The next book is quite different,” she said. “You find out quite a bit more about what happens to people after they leave the military.”

Asked whether it was true that she would write a total of seven novels under the Galbraith name, Rowling replied: “It’s not seven. It’s more. It’s pretty open ended. I really love writing these books, so I don’t know that I’ve got an end point in mind. One of the things I absolutely love about this genre is that, unlike Harry, where there was an overarching story, a beginning and an end, you’re talking about discrete stories. So while a detective lives, you can keep giving him cases.”

Asked why she chose to write crime stories after the Harry Potter series, she replied: “I love crime fiction. I’ve always loved it. I read a lot of it and I think, in many ways, that the Harry Potter books are whodunnits in disguise. I enjoy, I suppose, the ‘golden age’ book. That’s very much what I was trying to do in these books – to take that finite number of suspects, the genuine whodunnit style, but make it very contemporary, bring it up to date, and make sure this is a credible person with a credible back story for nowadays.”

She also quickly mentioned the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them script, which she is still working on: “It’s been challenging, it’s been fascinating, it has been a lot of fun. But as fun as it’s been, my first love is definitely novels.”

MuggleNet’s global book club, Alohomora!, continues its reread of the Harry Potter series by discussing Chapter 15 of Order of the Phoenix: “The Hogwarts High Inquisitor.” Join hosts Caleb, Kat, Michael, and special guest host, Megan (me!) as we discuss the latest act of Ministry meddling at Hogwarts.

On Episode 92 we discuss…

• Episode 91 Recap: Fudge manipulating; Percy’s still a prat; Racism and other prejudices; JKR’s intentions; Molly’s validation
• PQOTW responses
• More Ministry schemes
• Who thought up these O.W.L. grades?
• Who knows what about Trelawney?
• McGonagall handles Umbridge
• Question of the Week
• Check out the Alohomora! store

To listen to the show, visit the Alohomora website. You can also subscribe to us on iTunes.

Digital Spy revealed today that the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them trilogy will be shot at Leavesden Studios in the UK. So far not much is known about the film. But here is what we do know:

• The first film, of what is believed to be a trilogy, will be released on November 18th 2016
• J.K. Rowling is writing the screenplay
• David Heyman is producing
• It is set 70 years before the events of the Harry Potter and will center around ‘magizoologist’ Newt Scamander.
• No director or cast have been announced

This morning Bloomsbury Children’s Books have sent over the brand new children’s cover for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as part of their new re-branding for the series. Illustrated by award-winning artist Jonny Duddle, the jacket depicts Harry’s Patronus and the Dementors. All seven new editions will be published on 1st September 2014 and will also be exclusively available in eBook format at the Pottermore Shop.

Scholastic has announced today that they will be having a month long celebration in honor of Harry Potter’s birthday on July 31st. Also, today marks the 17th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone being released in the UK. How time flies!

In honor of Harry’s birthday (July 31), The Scholastic Store is dedicating the entire month of July to Harry Potter and inviting fans and new readers of all ages to start their journeys to Hogwarts. For every copy of Harry Potter purchased in July, The Scholastic Store will donate a copy to The Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization that provides books and pajamas to children in need.

To bring the magic of Harry Potter to a new generation of young readers, The Scholastic Store will hold daily activities from 1p.m. – 4 p.m. every day, including:

• Creature Feature Sunday: We’ll feature a different animal from Harry’s world every Sunday.
• Muggle Mondays: Muggles (non-magical people) can try Hogwarts classes such as Divination and Potions.
• Trivia Tuesday: Put your Harry Potter knowledge to the test. Answer a trivia question in store to win a prize.
• Wizard-Craft Wednesdays: Kids can use their own creative magic and get crafty!
• Three Broomsticks Thursdays: Visiting Muggles can sample specialties from the Three Broomsticks.
• Fun Fact Fridays: Check our Facebook page for a new Fun Fact video from the Harry Potter team of Scholastic editors including Arthur A. Levine and Cheryl Klein!
• House Party Saturdays: Each week ends with a celebration in the style of each Hogwarts house (Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindor)!
  *Special Harry Potter birthday at the Gryffindor House Party on Saturday, July 26 with crafts, games, costumed characters, and more!

“Over the past 16 years, we’ve watched tons of children and adults discover the joy of reading through Harry Potter,” said Michael Strouse, General Manager of The Scholastic Store. “We’re excited to help share the magic of Harry Potter with new readers as they start their own journeys to Hogwarts. The Scholastic Store is thrilled to be working with The Pajama Program by donating Harry Potter books to join their mission to help kids in need.”

On July 31^st, members from The Pajama Program will visit The Store to celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday and receive their books. Details for daily events are available at facebook.com/ScholasticStore.

Reading Groups For Everyone is offering the chance for you to win tickets to see Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) at Theakston Old Peculier Crime Festival in Harrogate. You can also complete a survey for the chance to win one of five reading group sets (10 copies) of The Silkworm, which will be released June 19 in the UK and June 24 in the US.

As we posted back in February, on Friday 18 July Robert Galbraith will be in conversation with Val McDermid to talk about The Silkworm at Harrogate Crime Writing Festival.

To enter the giveaway:

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, we’re challenging you to come up with a cryptic crossword clue to the title of your favourite crime novel. The best clue, as judged by us, will win the prize.

To enter this competition, send us your cryptic crossword clue along with the answer (the full title of your favourite novel and the author’s name) by 22 June.

Make sure that you join Reading Groups for Everyone and then add your reading group to be in with a chance of winning a book set.

Thanks to Mugglenet for the tip!