Coup for book festival as Rowling agrees to talk about new novel

Published on 07/09/2012 04:21

JK ROWLING will discuss her first book for adults at a festival later this year.

Lennoxlove Book Festival near Haddington, East Lothian, is the only public event the Harry Potter creator will be doing in Scotland, organisers say.

She will talk about The Casual Vacancy on the main stage on the opening night on 2 November.

A spokeswoman for the author said: “She was keen to do an event in Scotland and the timing of the Lennoxlove Book Festival was such that she agreed to come.”

The novel, about an idyllic town ripped apart by a parish council election, is published worldwide on 27 September.

The story begins with the unexpected death of Barry Fairweather, whose demise in his early 40s leaves a space on the parish council.

It is Rowling’s first novel since her final Harry Potter book in 2007.

Alistair Moffat, a festival director, said: “Having one of the best-known writers in the world at Lennoxlove Book Festival is a great coup for us. We are delighted to have secured JK Rowling and to be able to offer the friends of the festival, who have supported it so loyally so far, priority booking.

“Best yet is a very dangerous phrase, but I am confident in proclaiming this year’s festival programme undoubtedly the best yet.”

The two-day festival, now in its fourth year, has 35 separate events. Authors who have previously appeared include Alastair Campbell, Kate Adie and Sarah Brown.