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What a week for Harry Potter fans! After MuggleNet posted about J.K. Rowling’s handwritten spreadsheet, we now have yet more handwritten material from J.K. Rowling, this time in the form of annotations in a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, as featured in The Guardian.
Occurring on the title page, one annotation includes an original drawing of one draft of the Hogwarts crest. This drawing depicts Hufflepuff house as being represented by a bear instead of a badger, and J.K. Rowling writes:
“Perhaps Hufflepuff house would have the respect it deserves from the fans if I'd stayed with my original idea of a bear to represent it?”
The annotation in chapter eleven, Quidditch, tells of the circumstances under which Quidditch was created, reading:
“[beneath 'Quidditch'] '-was invented in a small hotel in Manchester after a row with my then boyfriend.”
We have certainly enjoyed reading these annotations, as well as the previously released spreadsheet, and hopefully there will be more to come.
Let us know what you think of these annotations in the comments below.
Posted by Laura on 05-20-2013 at 7:55 PM
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What goes on inside the mind of J.K. Rowling? It is a question that plagues every Harry Potter fan on a regular basis but is very seldom answered. In an article from Flavorwire, nine widely known authors share bits of their early work on what would become literary classics. One author, of course, is J.K. Rowling, whose original website featured this some years ago.
On this particular selection of Potter gold, Rowling has created a handwritten spreatsheet for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenx, outlining certain plot points, dates they occur, preliminary chapter titles, as well as the developments of the many backstories and when they take place in relation to each other and main events.
If you are able to decipher J.K. Rowling’s handwriting, you may find the chapter titles for January 20th and February 22nd quite surprising, as a couple of details have since changed for the final published book.
Other authors whose rough work was featured in this article include Silvia Plath (The Bell Jar), Joseph Heller (Catch-22), and James Salter (Light Years).
For which Potter book would you most like to see a full spreadsheet? Were there any points on this spreadsheet that you noticed have changed? Also, check out MuggleNet’s J.K. Rowling section for more information and past interview transcripts.
Posted by Laura on 05-16-2013 at 10:40 PM
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Both parents and children chose Harry Potter as their favorite children's book character in a survey conducted in honor of International Children's Book Day.
J.K. Rowling also did well in the poll, though she was beaten out for favorite author by Roald Dahl. Both parents and children who participated in the survey were asked to list their top three favorite authors. Children picked Dahl first, then Rowling, then Beatrix Potter. Parents also chose Dahl first, then Enid Blyton, and Rowling third. You can read more about the survey here.
Rowling may not have snagged the top spot, but it's pretty impressive that she was honored alongside three authors who have been around much longer than she has. Do you agree with the results of the poll? Who are your top three favorite children's authors?
Posted by Jessica on 04-03-2013 at 10:30 AM
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As a reader of Harry Potter, or even any fantasy, one always manages to lose oneself in the book - leaving the regular world behind and journeying into the imagined one found between the pages. For readers of J.K. Rowling, this was always very easy. Rowling managed to detail her world so magnificently, but also cloak it very well within our own. For some reason, with these books, the desperate hope that it might not all be pretend never really went away, despite knowing that magic cannot be real.
Or can it?
The Guardian is reporting that an unnamed source has supposedly discovered a twenty-year-old letter between Rowling and a man named Charles Furch. Does the latter name not sound familiar? That shouldn’t be surprising, considering in this uncovered correspondence, Mr. Furch signs his name and position - Minister for Magic.
We’ll give you a couple of moments to gather yourself amidst this shocking news.
While The Guardian has yet to reveal any other details from the letter, our minds are racing as to the possible contents. Why would J.K. Rowling have correspondence with someone calling himself the Minister for Magic... before she ever wrote the Harry Potter books? Was this the inspiration for her story? Was he an early motivation for Cornelius Fudge?
But certainly, the question on all of our minds - is magic, dare we say it, real?
We seek to report only the news here on MuggleNet and never wish to take a rumor too far. But this could be one of the most groundbreaking uncoverings of our time. When reached for comment, neither The Guardian or Rowling’s reps returned our phone calls.
As further details break, we will continue to bring you the latest. Until that time, constant vigilance!
Posted by Caleb on 04-01-2013 at 9:50 PM
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The Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, has just tweeted regarding her feelings of today's vote with British lawmakers for tougher controls of media due to the recent phone-hacking scandal.
Yesterday, we reported that lawmakers were scheduled to vote today on new tactics aimed at reigning in some of the more invasive practices by media, including implementing heavy fines for violation of policy.
As more details of the deal become public, we will be sure to share the news.
Posted by Keith on 03-18-2013 at 12:25 AM
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The British press is known for pushing privacy boundaries of the celebrities whose lives they chronicle. Tomorrow, lawmakers in parliament will vote on new tactics aimed at reigning in some of the more invasive practices, including implementing heavy fines for violation of privacy.
Many British celebrities who have been affected by aggressive media-hounding are testifying at the hearing, including Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Rowling has testified before about the negative impact invasive press has had on her and her family. Rowling has expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of government action on the issue.
I believed [Prime Minister] David Cameron when he said that he would implement [Lord Justice Brian] Leveson's recommendations 'unless they were bonkers.' I did not see how he could back away, with honour, from words so bold and unequivocal. Well, he has backed away, and I am one among many who feel they have been hung out to dry.
Rowling also took to Twitter today to ask for her followers' support, posting a link to a page explaining the issue being brought to parliament and stating:
If you agree, please ask your MP to vote for the Lab/Lib proposals tomorrow.
Read the full article here.
Posted by Jessica on 03-17-2013 at 9:00 PM
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