A for-kids-only reading by J.K. Rowling at Toronto’s Winter Garden Theatre went off without a hitch, according to Quillblog’s two exclusive sources, both of whom are nine years old. Rowling reportedly read her favourite passage from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows before answering pre-arranged questions – none of them having to do with Dumbledore – from the 950-strong audience.
In an interview with Quilblog after the media-free event, our sources agreed to dish some of the details.
Q: What was it like when Rowling walked up on stage?
A: There was clapping for at least 30 seconds.
Q: What’s she like?
A: She’s pretty and nice.
Q: What did she talk about?
A: She said she had a fight with her ex-boyfriend and she wanted to throw a ball at him so then she came up with Quidditch.
Q: Did she sign a book for you?
A: Yes.
Q: How was that?
A: Weird.
Q: What are you going to do with the book?
A: Put it on my bookshelf.
Q: You’re not going to sell it?
A: No … maybe.
Besides articulating the origins of Quidditch, Rowling also revealed that she hasn’t ruled out writing a Potter encyclopedia. In parting, she signed free copies of Hallows for each of her fans in attendance – a generous, writer’s cramp-provoking gesture that might explain why this was the only Canadian stop on Rowling’s fan-friendly tour.