“Reading, Writing, Rowling” Episode 5: “Writing Magic: New Insights from Lev Grossman’s Interview with J.K. Rowling in 2005”

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Discover new information about J.K. Rowling’s writing process, her intentions with the Harry
Potter story, and her commentary on other fantasy writers in Episode 5. In this episode, we talk with special guest Lev Grossman, a book critic and fantasy writer, about his interview with Rowling just before Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince hit the bookstores.

“Reading, Writing, Rowling” Episode 5: “Writing Magic: New Insights from Lev Grossman’s Interview with J.K. Rowling in 2005”

Join Katy McDaniel and John Granger, along with guest Beatrice Groves (Literary Allusion in
Harry Potter), for a fascinating conversation with The Magicians author Lev Grossman. Hear
about Rowling’s thoughts on C.S. Lewis and J.M. Barrie, the gender dynamics of children’s
literature (and Harry Potter, in particular), and balancing the writing life with motherhood.

We discuss Rowling’s explanation of fans’ most hated plot holes (like Harry’s failure to use the mirror
to check on Sirius in Book 5) and whether she is responsive to fan critiques. Lev Grossman also shares his own thoughts on writing fantasy and how his stories respond to Rowling and other authors. His allusions in the Magicians trilogy reference both Western literary tradition and popular culture so as to situate his stories more clearly in the present day. Are his novels a subversion of modern fantasy novels, including Harry Potter? Listen and learn!

We’d love to hear your thoughts via email (readingwritingrowling@gmail.com) or Twitter (@ReadWriteRowl), so please join the conversation!

Amy Hogan

I was 9 years old when I discovered the magic that is “Harry Potter.” I am a proud Hufflepuff and exceedingly good at eating, reading, being sarcastic, and over-thinking small tasks. Since I spent too much time worrying about the correct way to write this bio, this is all I was able to come up with before the deadline.