Yesterday, J.K. Rowling teased fans on Twitter with an anagram that would give us “the first sentence of a synopsis of Newt’s story. It isn’t part of the script, but sets the scene.”
Cry, foe! Run amok! Fa awry! My wand won’t tolerate this nonsense.
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.”
This morning, Universal Studios Japan have shared a press release about the Grand Opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Japan. Evanna Lynch, Tom Felton and even Jo herself were in attendance. The theme park is now officially open and guests can enjoy the attractions!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an area meticulously recreating the world of the Harry Potter stories, opened this morning (Tues., July 15) at 7:35 AM at Universal Studios Japan.
At approximately 7:15 AM, Mr. Tom Felton and Ms. Evanna Lynch, who both starred in the Harry Potter film series, joined USJ Co., Ltd., President & CEO Mr. Glenn Gumpel, and commenced an Opening Ceremony at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s entrance archway to much applause from guests anxious to enter. Mr. Felton and Ms. Lynch led the guests with the Revelio spell as the archway was filled with smoke, which slowly lifted to reveal Hogsmeade village prompting cheers from waiting park guests. Then so many guests stepped into Hogsmeade village with excitement and were welcomed by Hogsmeade villagers.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a 45 billion yen project with a 5.6 trillion yen projected economic impact over ten years, is sure to meet the expectations of a national level project of its size and attract many guests over the coming years.
Event Attendees
Tom Felton Actor: Harry Potter film series “Draco Malfoy”
Evanna Lynch Actress: Harry Potter film series “Luna Lovegood”
Glenn Gumpel Chairman & CEO, USJ Co., Ltd.
Be sure to check out the special interactive USJ website where visitors can fully immerse themselves in the world of Harry Potter and virtually experience every corner of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. www.usj.co.jp/harrypotter
J.K. Rowling, who previewed the park privately, had the following to say about the park (and The Black Lake, which is only at the Japan park):
The craft and attention to detail across the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Japan is incredible, and I will take away the memory of Hogwarts Castle reflected on the Black Lake in particular. I’m delighted that Harry fans in Japan and around Asia can experience a physical incarnation that is so close to what I imagined when writing the books.” – J.K. Rowling
Evanna and Tom addressed teh fans and said the following:
“Thank you for sharing your passion and your enthusiasm for the films and books with us as all because it means so much after all these years to still have that love. And thank you for welcoming us to this part of your celebration,” – Evanna Lynch
“I’m so excited to see the Japanese fans getting the opportunity to walk through this fabulous park. Very pleased to see some Slytherin t-shirts over there as well. Some home support, so thank you very much for having us.” – Tom Felton
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 31st, 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.
The Daily Mail has revealed some of the cast members for BBC’s adaption of J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy. Potter alum Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) and Simon McBurney (Kreacher) are set to star.
Michael Gambon will play local council leader Howard Mollison with Julia McKenzie as his wife Shirley. Keeley Hawes will play their troubled daughter-in-law, Samantha. Simon McBurney will portray deputy headteacher Cubby Wall.
The BBC is creating a three-part mini-series around the book and will be aired some time in 2014.
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