In a recent interview for the BBC ahead of publication of the latest book in the Potter series, JK Rowling alluded to her intention to write other stories under another name, and she admitted that she had already spent some time on her new creation. Speculation surrounding her new work is rife in the world of publishing and some believe she has already published.
When asked, �Do you know what you will go on to next after that?� she replied. �Well, while I was in between, during the three years I've just had, I was writing something else for a while which was really great, it was good, and I might go back to that. I don't know.�
The interviewer then asked, �Is that an adult novel?� to which Rowling replied, �Mmmm. It's just something completely different. It was very liberating to do it.�
When the question of a penname was put to her by the interviewer, �Be quite difficult for you though. You'd have to publish under a pseudonym wouldn't you?� She said, �Exactly. But they'll find out within seconds. I don't underestimate the investigative powers of the press, but I don't know what I'll do. I mean, I know I will definitely still be writing. Will I publish? I don't know. It's what you said, of course you write to be published, because you write to share the story.�
JKR has become a master of secrecy and slight of hand as illustrated by the way in which she orchestrated a media frenzy around the release of her last two books, and any attempt to shed light on her new creation could prove extremely difficult. However, attention has been focused on a number of possible names under which Rowling may be writing, but so far the evidence is far from solid. One possible lead surrounded the publication earlier this year of two children�s books by the little known author Laura Emmet. The books were released at the same point, and within a short space of time they were selling quite successfully for works by an unknown writer. There were some enticing clues surrounding this particular name as a suspect. The small Irish company that published the books, Donard Publishing, was sold in 2001 to a rich individual living in Scotland who had a special interest in the publishing world. The book was promoted heavily through many Harry Potter fan groups by the group owners, people believed to have links with Rowling and who in normal circumstances take nothing to do with anything not Potter related. When this evidence was put to Donard Publishing, a spokesman for the company said, �Donard has never been sold. Laura Emmet is not JK Rowling. Some groups mentioned Laura�s books because we sent them copies, they read the stories and they liked them. The whole idea is nonsense.� However, we can confirm that Donard was indeed sold in 2001 to an individual living in Scotland. You can make of that what you will.
And so the hunt continues. One thing is certain, the secret will not remain a secret forever, and as JKR said herself, �I don't underestimate the investigative powers of the press��
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3004456.stm
http://www.donardpublishing.com