Fans of the Harry Potter book series just got a big surprise from its author, J.K. Rowling. The writer has announced the release of a new children’s book, her first since the final installment of Harry Potter in 2007. What’s more, Rowling is releasing her new book online, chapter by chapter, for free.
Rowling’s book is called The Ickabog, and is reportedly a fantasy fairy tale. Set in the fictional land of Cornucopia, it concerns a child-eating monster who lives in the north of the region and wields special powers.
“The idea for The Ickabog came to me while I was still writing Harry Potter,” Rowling recounted in a statement on her website. “I wrote most of a first draft in fits and starts between Potter books, intending to publish it after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.”
I have a small announcement, but before I get started, I
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 26, 2020
want to head off one possible source of confusion.
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THIS IS NOT A HARRY POTTER SPIN-OFF
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However, she ultimately decided to step away from children’s books after the Harry Potter series finished, and The Ickabog went into a box in her attic. The manuscript remained there until the COVID-19 lockdown gave Rowling the idea to release it online for free.
A Timeless Tale
Rowling called The Ickabog “a story about truth and the abuse of power.” However, the author was quick to deny it as a commentary on specific current events.
“[T]he idea came to me well over a decade ago, so it isn’t intended to be read as a response to anything that’s happening in the world right now,” she said. “The themes are timeless and could apply to any era or any country.”
The first two chapters of The Ickabog are available for free here:https://t.co/afFEfRQQ5C
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 26, 2020
Rowling also announced an illustration competition, urging children to submit drawings to go with the story of The Ickabog as it unfolds.
“I want to see imaginations run wild!” the author said. “Creativity, inventiveness, and effort are the most important things: we aren’t necessarily looking for the most technical skill!” She added that the best drawings would be included in the print version of The Ickabog, which is set for release in November 2020.
Rowling has set up a website where new chapters of The Ickabog can be read as they are posted. According to the site, new installments will be posted to the website over the next seven weeks.
J.K. Rowling New Book — Sources
JKRowling.com
TheIckabog.com
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