Pre-Order Anniversary Sorcerer's Stone, New Interview with Cover Artist

Previously we told you Scholastic, the US publishers of the Harry Potter novels were issuing a special 10th anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone that would contain new material from author J.K. Rowling. You can now pre-order the book, here via our Cauldron Shop for a reduced price of $19.80. The book will be released on September 23, 2008.

As part of the anniversary edition, the book will contain this new artwork (also here in our galleries) from Mary Grandpre and Time magazine has a new interview online, where the artist discusses this piece and illustrating the beloved Harry Potter series. She says that drawing for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was her favorite and she relished the opportunity to revisit Harry for the 10th anniversary editon saying "It was really a nice opportunity. As Harry grew, I always wished I could go back and make a new piece for each book. So when the anniversary cover idea came up, I was really excited to do that. It's like getting to do a new portrait of this old soul you really know."

She also noted that before the final book she had never watched any of the Harry Potter films but now she is enjoying them now because she doesnt have to worry about them influencing her creations. Mary Grand Pre also confirmed that the colors of the covers were a hint of things to come in the book.

"Your cover art often seems to contain hints of what's to come without spoiling the plot. Is that a difficult line for you to walk?

A little bit, but that's the fun part too. You're teasing the readers with something that piques your interest. It's fun to design that into the cover, and show hints and shadows. The mood in the book is often set by suggesting things - a sound, a soft color, a shadow. I try to do that with the illustrations, too, to give that sense of mystery to it when I can."

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

New Harry Potter Prequel to Feature Marauders Story

Following on the big news from yesterday about the brand new prequel to events in the Harry Potter series, we now have some additional information about what the story will feature. According to the Guardian, we will be hearing more about the beloved Marauders, as the paper reports the story will feature "the fictional wizard's father James and his friend Sirius Black in their younger years." Newsround also has a small photo from the card, that shows the last line from J.K. Rowling that reads "From the prequel I am not working on - but that was fun!" We hope to have a larger photo of this and will update here shortly.

As we posted yesterday, this prequel is contained on a special card that will be part of a charity auction to be held in London at Waterstone's on June 10. The bookseller will then post the card (along with 12 other cards donated to the auction from authors such as Neil Gaiman and more) online, available for all to see on June 11. Also as we reported previously, this card then will be contained in a new book, which will go on sale in August and is NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER here via Waterstone's.

More when we get it!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

J.K. Rowling Updates Website on New Harry Potter Prequel

Author J.K. Rowling is doing some updating this morning on her website, with a news entry on the upcoming charity auction featuring that special 800 word prequel to the Harry Potter series. Of note is the fact Jo says the story on the prequel card takes place 3 years before Harry was born. Full quotage is as follows:

A few months ago a number of authors were invited to handwrite cards for auction by Waterstones, on June 10, all proceeds to go to English PEN, the writers' association, and the Dyslexia Society.

After playing around with a number of different ideas I decided to write a short (for me!) excerpt from a prequel to the Potter series. It is about 800 words long and the action takes place around 3 years before Harry is born.

Although I did feel a bit like a relapsing addict as I sat down to write - the words poured from my pen with frightening ease - I am NOT working on a prequel. Indeed, I've written that clearly at the bottom of the card itself. I just thought that this was the best way to make money for two extremely worthwhile charities.

The good news for Potter fans who will not be able to bid at the auction is that you will be able to read the short story (along with amazing contributions from Doris Lessing, Margaret Atwood, Tom Stoppard, Irvine Welsh, Sebastian Faulks, Axel Scheffler, Lauren Child, Nick Hornby, Neil Gaiman, Lisa Appignanesi, Richard Ford, and Michael Rosen) by purchasing a book of facsimiles, which will be available in August. The proceeds from this book, too, will go to the charities.

As reported below, this new 800 word prequel will involve James Potter and Sirius Black.

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Big News! JKR Writes New Harry Potter Prequel for Charity Auction

Hang on everyone, as there is some rather big news tonight regarding that notecard that J.K. Rowling has written for a charity auction in June. MSNBC is reporting tonight that the note card is actually "an 800-word Harry Potter prequel." The only other information on this new material regarding the beloved Harry Potter series is that "Rowling used both sides of her card to hand-write a prequel to her seven-book Harry Potter saga."

The report goes on to say "Organizers refused to comment on the content of Rowling's Harry Potter prequel, but Hogwarts fans hoping for another book to add to their collection may be disappointed by her signoff."From the prequel I am not working on — but that was fun!'' Rowling wrote.

Rowling has previously said she had no plans to write another Potter novel, but in December she sold a handwritten, leather-bound book of fairy tales she described as drawing on the series' themes, for nearly $4 million at auction. The money went to The Children's Voice, a charity Rowling co-founded in 2005."

As a reminder, this card is part of a charity auction to be held at Waterstone's Book seller in London, England June 10, proceeds to benefit English PEN and Dyslexia Action. As we reported previously, the card will be published along with the 12 other authors who contributed to the charity auction,with the book due on sale in August,w ith the cards to be posted online starting June 11, including this new Harry Potter prequel from J.K. Rowling. The Telegraph cites a rep from Waterstone's as saying: Gerry Johnson, the managing director of Waterstone's, said: "We never dreamed that JK Rowling would donate something so precious, and we're incredibly grateful." Fans unable to meet the bidding price for the prequel need not fret, however. The day after the auction, a facsimile of the story will be displayed in Waterstone's branches and on its website. More when we get it!

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)

Young Actor from "Half-Blood Prince" Tragically Killed

We have some sad news today, regarding a young actor who is due to appear in the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The Telegraph is reporting that Robert Knox, who plays the part of Ravenclaw student (and Slug Club hopeful) Marcus Belby, has been tragically killed in an incident that took place in London last night. The paper reports that 18 year old Robert Knox went to the aid of his younger brother, and was fatally stabbed in a knife incident in a bar in the Sidcup area near London, England. Police spokesman say "A man aged 21 has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He is being held in custody." CBBC Newsround now has a statement from Warner Bros that echoes our thoughts here at TLC, as it reads "We are all shocked and saddened by this news and at this time our sympathies are with his family." We will continue to follow this story and will update with more when we can.

UPDATE; While news of this story has now been carried world wide- more here in this video report from the AP- you can also read some of the tributes being paid to Robert Knox here in the Guardian. The paper notes the young actor, who had recently signed to reprise his role in "Deathly Hallows," had tributes paid to him from six of the Potter actors. Quotage: "Robert's best friend Nicky Jones, 19, who was stabbed through the hand by one of the knives allegedly used in the fight on Friday, said Robert had only finished filming his part last Tuesday. He said: "Rob loved acting and loved being part of Harry Potter. We used to go to the karaoke nights at the bar and we'd take the mick out of him by announcing 'Good luck in Harry Potter, Rob' and he used to hide. He didn't like it when we went on about his acting.

"He was so good to everyone about it. He took loads of us up the location where they were shooting it, just to show them what it's like," he added. He said that about six cast members of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince had visited the scene of the killing to pay their respects on Saturday night. They had been due to work with him again: according one of Robert's uncles, the teenager was already signed up for the next instalment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Brian Knox, 54, said: "Rob was a keen sportsman and budding actor. He was in the Harry Potter film and signed a deal to be in the next one as well. He had his whole life ahead of him."

(SOURCE: THE LEAKY CAULDRON)