Early reports are starting to surface tonight from the charity auction at Waterstone’s, featuring the special card from author J.K. Rowling. A new 800 word prequel to the Harry Potter series sold tonight for 25,000 pounds ($48,855) reports Bloomberg.com. The article continues to note the “buyer was an absentee bidder. More than 100 guests attended the invitation-only event, called ``What’s Your Story?’’ and run by Sotheby’s auctioneer Edward Rising at the Waterstone’s branch in Piccadilly.” “ UPDATE: As reported previously, one of 13 cards donated for this charity event in London, England, AFP now has more on the prequel involving two of our favorite Marauders set 3 years before Harry was born. The article reports that the prequel story involves Sirius Black and James Potter who “are confronted by two policemen after a high-speed motorcycle chase, and evade the authorities using their broomsticks and magic.” ( Editor’s Note: A motorcycle! No word if that is indeed the motorcycle of later flying legend, but very exciting business indeed) J.K. Rowling is also quoted in the article as saying “I had great fun writing the card and I’m absolutely delighted that it has raised 25,000 pounds for two such worthy causes.” UPDATE 2 Lizo, now from BBC, has a new video report online, where he reads an excerpt of the prequel whichyou can watch via this link. In the excerpt, we hear a bit on James and Sirius as they are confronted by the two police officers in front of a dark alley. UPDATE 3: The video is now available here in our galleries.
We are working to find out more about the events at the auction, including the contents of the card,which will be placed online tomorrow for all fans to read via this link to Waterstone’s. This prequel will also be part of a book that will be published August 7th containing all 13 of the cards, proceeds to benefit charities English Pen and Dyslexia Action. You can pre- order this book from Waterstones (who will ship internationally) via this link. Stay tuned!
Yay! I like squee-d for ten minutes after hearing the excerpt (read beautifully by Lizo, I may add). I can’t wait to read the story. It will be so amazingly awesome! And to all those people saying its not a lot, I mean, come on. This is about twice the size of your average index card, and raked in almost $50,000! Only JKR could rake in that much for a note card. Anyway, can’t wait for tomorrow!
I am so excited that Jo could raise 25k for the charty. Something is weighing heavy on me and I need to say it. I believe that Leaky is being a little irresponsible in headlining this and reporting this as a prequel. This is in Jo’s own words, “An excerpt from a prequel I am not writing…” This is an excerpt and should not be reported as a prequel. 800 words or no inside the article does not legitimize the headline or the article stating that this is a prequel.
can’t wait to read it. they should totally put this scene in one of the new movies. it won’t be in chronological order, but it could still be a flashback, or memory- ANYTHING!! it could possibly be a great starting scene for movie #8
That is VERY impressive, for an 800 word card! I think you’re right, erictipton, it is a bit “erroneous” to label it “a prequel”...anyway, for those who think that “Pottermania is declining”, I don’t think so! IMHO, it’s even bigger. It’s just not quite as “vocal”...I imagine that those, bidding on this AND Beadle The Bard, were not children! It shows just how many adults enjoy Harry! Good on you, Jo! You’re a wonder. :D
i love ron weasley
and yay!! so much $$$ for charity- thats really good, cant wait to read it! SQUEE!! ( that ones for you sue, melissa, john, frak) :)
[i]"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must
So when can we read them?? Its like…something like 2am wed morning in london now….so will we be able to read the story in a few hours or tomorrow??