J.K. Rowling Surprises Fans With Answers to Questions on Live Global Webcast
New York, NY October 12, 2012 -- Author J.K. Rowling drew more than a million Harry Potter fans for a live global webcast during which she shared never before heard tidbits about the world of Harry Potter, including back story details, as well as her next writing project and Pottermore. The live webcast was presented by Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, and the U.S. publisher of the Harry Potter series.
During the 51 minute webcast, Ms. Rowling discussed her next writing project which, she said, will likely be a book for young readers, and she revealed that when she registered herself on Pottermore, she was sorted into Gryffindor House, but that she “personally would not be at all disappointed to be sorted into Hufflepuff” and she explains why. Video clips of her comments are available for download at: http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/harrypotter (Credit: Scholastic Inc.). A full replay of the live webcast can be viewed at www.scholastic.com/hpreadingclub. Join the conversation on Twitter at #hpreads, and see photos of classrooms participating in the live webcast at: http://storify.com/Scholastic/classrooms-around-the-world-join-scholastic-s-virt. (NOTE: Video questions submitted by students in New York, NY, Fort Worth, TX, Murfreesboro, TN and the UK were also asked and answered in the live webcast; contact Scholastic for clips.)
The October 11 webcast, hosted by Scholastic Vice President of Productions, Billy DiMichele, also signaled the launch of a new online destination, the Harry Potter Reading Club, created to share the magical world of Harry Potter with a generation of new readers. The webcast was broadcast live from J.K. Rowling’s hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland, and is the first time she has had the opportunity to answer questions from kids in a live event since 2007.
The new Harry Potter Reading Club website provides educators, librarians, after school program coordinators and parents who want to organize a book club with access to all the tools they need to host a Harry Potter Reading Club and celebrate the joy of reading. The first 10,000 registrants for the Club received a welcome kit including bookmarks, stickers and nametags. Printable versions of these Items will also be available for download from the website.
- Companies:
- Scholastic Inc.
- Sony
- People:
- Harry Potter
- J.K. Rowling