Fifth Potter Book On The Shelf
I'm a little late (as usual) getting to this.
Elaborate plans to coordinate the marketing of the next Harry Potter book to fit neatly between this month's release of the DVD and video of Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone and the November premiere of the second movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, have apparently gone up in smoke.
J.K. Rowling is seemingly under some sort of spell--the British author hasn't been able to finish her fifth installment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, in time to be published this summer, as fans of the kid wizard had hoped.
Instead, Rebecca Salt, the London-based spokeswoman for the reclusive Rowling, said the eagerly anticipated book might not be ready until 2003.
"It could be this year and it could be next year," said Salt, while rejecting the notion that the now very rich and married Rowling was suffering for writer's block.
Apparently, J.K. Rowling's successful movie-making career and the success of the first four Harry Potter books has just plain drained her. What a tragedy. How Sad. Actually there are a few things about the opening paragraphs that piss me off. First, Rowling can't be bothered to address the situation herself. You ARE a celebrity and your books ARE popular. Look at the house, car and nice things you've bought with our money. Deal with it. Second, that she "hasn't been able to finish." What, exactly does that mean? Last, the denial that the "now very rich and married Rowling was suffering from writer's block." I don't care if you are and if you're not, does that imply that you are just too busy with the nice life to make it worthwhile for the fans that have given you that nice life? This is appalling:
Rowling has previously admitted to feeling the pressure of her worldwide success. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (I assume they mean the movie..) has grossed more than $317 million in the U.S. alone, and that doesn't include the vast amount of tie-in merchandise...
How sad that she has made so much money. I feel terrible. Hey! I've got a wonderful idea on how to help her. How about you give the money to ME and concentrate on writing! Another little tidbit that annoys me:
"I understand her fans are eager, as we are, but J.K. Rowling writes substantial books, and they are not turned out as small novellas. Her last book was over 740 pages," said Judy Corman spokeswoman for the New York-based publishing house... (ed. note Scholastic is the U.S. publisher for Harry Potter)
So the publishing house has to cover for her, since she is such a "recluse" that she can't come out and talk to her fans. Fine, whatever. I'm just a little put off by the "substantial books, and they are not turned out as small novellas." thing, since she did put out a book a year between 1997 and 2000. I am going to attempt a little mathematical analysis of this situation, so bear with me. First, let's just assume for argument's sake that each book IS, in fact 741 pages (they aren't... even the one Ms. Corman is referring to, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is only 734 pages, which if I'm not mistaken is just UNDER 740 pages, not OVER 740 pages, but I digress...). Between 1997 and 2000, Ms. Rowling managed to write 2.0301 pages per day. Oh wait, that can't be, since the books were published a little more than a year apart. I've got to take into account the editorial and publishing process. I'm not a writer or publishing insider, so I don't know how long that takes. I'm going to throw out a random number of 150 days (5 months at 30 days per month) I'm in no way sure of that number, but I'm going to use it. (go ahead, fact-check my ass!), so taking into account that there are 365 days per year, and 150 of them are being taken out for the editorial and publishing process, that still leaves us 215 days of active writing. I'm going to assume that a full-time writer will be dedicated and disciplined enough to write on weekends, but I'm still going to give vacation and personal time, so let's give up another 30 days. that leaves us with 185 days of active writing. This is the number I'm going with. The grand total is a whopping 4.0054 pages per day. I know that wouldn't be MY number. I tend to get extremely obsessive-compulsive and if I'm running with an idea, I run full-tilt until I'm dead-tired. I shall assume that the 4.0054 number is an average though. I don't see as though that's an unreasonable amount of writing, considering that I've read that she already has a rough outline of ALL of the Harry Potter books done. If you know your major plot points and have a rough outline of where you want to go, shouldn't it be a realistic goal to have a book done within 3 years?? That's 555 days of writing, or .7489 pages per day.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - susanna
Actually, she doesn't owe you anything. Yes, it would be pretty disappointing if, for instance, she stopped writing completely and left us hanging for all time. And she would lose a lot of future readers if she ended the series there. But she's not. She's going to finish it. It's taking her longer than she planned, and while I am also impatient to read the next installment, I don't know that either of us is qualified to call down judgment on her head for not meeting our expectations even if they were built up by the publisher. I also agree that it would be good business, to speak directly to her fans. You have a right to question her professionalism. But you don't know what internal pressures she deals with in her life. This is a bit harsh.
I'm put in mind of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who tried to kill off Sherlock Holmes but his fans wouldn't let him. Who owns the character, the fans or the author?
Maybe while you wait you could read "Misery", by Stephen King.
2 - MommaBear
Perhaps the writer of the above original post considers himself an employer of Ms. Rowlings, in a position to order her to make production quotas, or some such.
That concept is most interesting, but not quite applicable here. Creative fiction writing is a fickle product, subject to the MANY vagaries of inspiration, interruptions, life in general, and a myriad host of other things beyond the ken of most.
3 - Cis
I understand your frustration, if not your anger. I think that level of impatience goes hand in hand with one's appreciation of written pieces. We wouldn't get so worked up if we didn't enjoy books so much and we wouldn't enjoy books so much if we weren't the kind of people to get worked up. But I realized this about myself a long time ago and have chosen what I've read since then accordingly.
I never start a series, no matter how popular, until there are enough books released to satisfy my interest should I enjoy them. I also never let myself get so attached to one writer that their absence from writing or heaven forbid their death upsets me as much as you describe.
There are far too many good books and well developed series out there to keep me occupied between Rowling releases. And I can always read short books like the Potter series over again if I'm really that excited about the next issue.
Like yourself, I really do love books more than movies and television. That's why I don't try to reduce their creation to some simple production schedule. Otherwise, if all authors listened to your open letter and considered their work a business instead of an artistic craft, we'd likely end up with books as cliche and formulaic as the latest Hollywood Blockbuster. Just look at what authors like John Grisham and Stephen King start to produce once they think about commerce instead of writing. Personally I don't want that to happen to the Harry Potter series.
4 - Shayna and Stephanie
While we totally agree with the point of the above author, we feel that he should examine the facts. One, her personal pressures must be very great. Secondly, you try writing a series that perfectly coincides with the other books within it. But perhaps, your cynical attitude towards this matter may be just revelation we need to understand that not everyone has the same point of view.
5 - LTR
Get a life! Even rich and famous people have their own lives and feelings. I'd rather JK take the time to write a good book than to dash one off just to please instant-gratification whiners like you. @@
6 - Phillip Winn
I don't care one whit about Rowling or Potter, having never read any of the books. Nevertheless, as a writer I sympathize with Rowling, but as a reader I sympathize with Jim Schwab.
It can be difficult to finish something that hasn't ended up where you've been trying to steer it, and even more difficult to figure out how far back you need to go to set things straight. Add to that the fact that no matter how compelling a work of literature the book ends up being, it will disappoint a great number of people, and I can see why Rowling is in no hurry.
However, all of those factors must have been building at a milder level during the last book or two, and it is a cheap act indeed to end a book on a cliffhanger. While Rowling is under no moral obligation to write another book just because she's popular, she is under a contractual obligation with her publisher which she has surely violated - though obviously they won't say so publicly. She also established a moral promise of sorts with a cliffhanger ending (the existence of which I'm taking on faith, by the way), and she does owe it to her readers to end that cliffhanger.
Whether three years and counting amounts to "instant gratification" is left to the reader to decide, but it reminds me once again why I try to read standalone books, or books by dead people.
7 - Al Barger
Daddy, I want an Oompa Loompa NOW!!!
Perhaps a little therapy would help your completely irrational and hysterical hostility.
8 - Ramana
i would appreciate if other books such as Quidditch through the ages and all the million books about Harry Potter wuold be sold in Malaysia
9 - K. R.
I find this man's letter rude and annoying. Yes, it states how all of the readers feel, TO SOME EXTENT! but I would never go as far as to say "I won't go see another HP movie until the whole series is done!" That sounds like a whining baby! I'm sorry, Jim Schwab, but you're going to be very bored for the next few years, as I think it will take at least that long to finish the books. I'm sure she could care less if YOU never went to see another of the Harry Potter movies, you aren't her target audience. People like me are!
I am an author myself and I know how she must feel, trying to please everyone as a whole, even though that is impossible. At least she's not abandoning the books, give her time and don't be a jerk about it. Remember, she does have a family, a job, a LIFE.
Also, cliffhangers are essential to keep the reader attached to the plot. Not to sound childish but DUH! even I knew that! How stupid do some people have to be? And I'll tell you when she will quit with the cliffhangers...when the series is complete! Until then, deal with it.
10 - Kathy J. Cox
Dear ms. rowling
Hi my name is Kathy J. Cox I lived here in Ga I thought I would write you a short letter to tell you I really have enjoy the Harry Potter series. In alots of way I can relate with the character I had 5 brothers and I always pick on and i sometime which I could do something to them to get them back for the way they treated me. I was the youngest and only girl. So I got picked on . they never thought I was smart but I did better in stuff than they did. well I guess that is all . I looking forward to the last two books I be glad to get them so I can add them to my books. take care and if you have time please drop me a note. Happy Easter to you. your loyal reader kathy J. cox
11 - Roger
Dear Kathy, Sorry but I don't think Ms. Rowling lives on this web site.
Try a few less Peyote buttons and don't watch Harry Potter before bed.
12 - nick
emma i love you your sooooo awsome in the movie
13 - jac
You can't do anything about JK's writer's block. She's entitled to grapple with it on her own.
14 - Antfreeze
Yes, I'd like to purchase 5 lbs. of Art please. Chop chop!
15 - firozi k
i wish to invite mrs j k rowling as chief guest to our school in india - maharashtra - thane for one of our biggest function. please i would like to talk to her personally through e -mail please allow me to have her address. awaiting your reply on the above address only.
thanks
firozi
23-6-2004
16 - patric
i hate miss rowling her books are satanic and i realy hate britts
17 - KB
For all thats hating on JK Rowling stopp cuz Harry Potter books are tha bom I give praise to her keep up tha good work cant wait for the rest of the series to come out
Holla
18 - jordan
yes I would like to know how ur letter went do you know if it went throw if anyone saw it I would also like to know what address you had i would also like to send her a letter stating my ideas and criticism.
please email me bck at goawayzin321 @ aol.com
19 - RC
Yeah I remember waiting for the 5 book for a very long long time. I believe 3 years I waited for it to be released just about. She will taker a long break after the last potter book is done. I wouldn't be suprised if she dosent try retiring after it either.
20 - Teri Rae
I am trying to contact JK Rowling. Can I get an email address from anyone? I am a teacher who is planning to do a project with my students. I have some copyright questions.
Can anyone help?
21 - Lisa McKay
Teri, I'm sure the best way to get in touch with Rowling would be through her publisher. I doubt that her email address is public information.
22 - Val
my school is trying to reach her so she will come for our red ribbon week so she can make a speech do you kno her adress in the US or does she only live in UK???
23 - Harryroxmysox!
You all can hate Harry Potter all u want but I love it! Everything about it is awesome! If someone could get me Rowlings email that would be nice!
24 - tamy
You can all say anything about Joan Rowling,but you should know that she issomething really special...All writers write books for money,but I think she write for fun and to make kids(and adolts)happy.I meen-she dosent need more money!!She has taken care of her family..They won't be hungry.And I think that she enjoyes in books about Harry Potter as much as we do.And please give me her e-mail adress becouse I need to ask her WHY IN CHRIST NAME DUMBLEDORE DIED!!!!??? That is crime against nature.Now Harry must grow up when he isn't there to protect him,that is P.k-BUT-CAN'T YOU DO IT ON SOME OTHER WAY!??????Ihave cried for hours yesterday..please give me her e-mail adress.
25 - Hilary atayi
Hi, I'm 11 I really want to write my own story so I was hoping you could help me.I really love your Harry Potter books they are full of excitement and I wanted mine to be just like it .I was hoping you could give me some tips.Please please write back and address it to [Deleted].I'd love it if you wrote backbecause I'v all ready got my plan I just need to Put it into action.
From Hilary