JK Rowling 2nd on culture influence list

In a show to air on the BBC3 "Top 50 Cultural Movers and Shakers", author JK Rowling has come in at second on the list. Compiled by fashion, film, media, and design industry experts, the creator of the iPod topped the list of most influential people in British culture.

Rowling To Visit Buckingham Palace

The BBC reports that JK Rowling will be part of a group of women visiting Buckingham Palace to celebrate working women and mothers.
Thank you, Pete!

Stouffer Appeal Denied

A federal appeals court has held up a ruling against Nancy Stouffer, who claimed that J.K. Rowling infringed upon her work. The sanction, for $50,000, was held by US District Judge Allen G. Schwartz of the Southern District of New York, who said there was “clear evidence” that Stouffer had presented her evidenceContinued...

JK Rowling's "First" Adult Prize

Many of you have written in to tell us and we thank you for reminding us - the WHSmith award, should JKR win it, will not be her first adult award. She won the Hugo Award in 2001 for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. The Hugo Awards are not for only-adult books. However, the WH Smith award is specifically forContinued...

USAToday

The Life section of USAToday mentions J.K. Rowling as an one of 'three authors who wrote their way up the lists':
Fans had been waiting for three years for J.K. Rowling's fifth in the series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It came out June 21, the first day of summer and immediately broke publishing records (5Continued...

J.K. Rowling Supports Increase in Child Tax Credit

As reported in The Mirror:
Hundreds of supporters of the National Council for One Parent Families called for an increase in the Child Tax Credit.

JK Rowling, once a single mum living on benefits, has thrown her weight behind the campaign to slash child poverty. The charity wants an extra £5Continued...

Forbes' Most Powerful Women in Hollywood List

J.K. Rowling is #55 on Forbes' latest list.
How do they determine this - do they make them all arm wrestle?

Thanks to Sue & Charlie for the link!

J.K. Rowling Donates Money for Land Conservation

J.K. Rowling donated almost £200,000 to enable the Highland Perthshire Community Land Trust purchase 1000 acres for purposes of conservation.
Thanks to HPANA.com for the link.

Rowling to do Online Web Chat on World Book Day

Happy Thanksgiving to our American readers!

For the first time in years, J.K. Rowling will do a Web chat. It will be on March 4, 2004, World Book Day, as part of an event with 12 other authors.

The bestselling author will talk to children about her books, her writing and the kind of books she likesContinued...

Sotheby's Auctions 1st Editions

On December 3rd, Sotheby's will auction off two signed first editions of Goblet of Fire (11 signed Harry Potter books in total will be auctioned). One of the copies is inscribed with a personal note from JKR to her father, which reveals that Ron Weasley was named after someone called Ronald Ridley. Thanks forContinued...

J.K. Rowling on the Simpsons

Just in case you missed it, a truly hilarious line from JK Rowling on The Simpsons, when Lisa meets JKR outside a shop in England:

Lisa: It's JK Rowling [mispronounced...], author of the Harry Potter books! You've turned a generation of kids on to reading!
JKR: Thank you, young muggle.
Lisa: Can you tell meContinued...

J.K. Rowling on the Simpsons

Thanks to all the readers who wrote to remind us that The Simpsons episode with J.K. Rowling airs this Sunday. Website ExpresoHogwarts.com has an image preview!

J.K. Rowling: Favorite Scot

J.K. Rowling has been nominated (again) for the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Top Scot Award.
Thanks to Liz and to Sue for the links!

J.K. Rowling on Multiple Sclerosis

J.K.Rowling has written a piece in the Sunday Herald on what the disease is, and how important it is to support and fund research, as well as set minimum standards of care for those with the disease; and what it was like to lose her mother to multiple sclerosis:
I used to miss being able to call Mum when I wasContinued...

Baroness Joanne?

It's rumored that Tony Blair may offer J.K. Rowling a peerage, in recognition for her contribution to literature.
Thanks to Dr. Fidelius for the link.