J.K. Rowling in New York City

I was one of the lucky people who managed to get a ticket to meet J.K. Rowling on October 16^th in New York City! And guess what? She really was even more amazing, charming, genuine, and funny than I ever thought! Not gonna lie, it was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only is Rowling the first person to become a billionaire through fiction writing (and an outstanding writer), but she basically wrote my childhood. One of the magical aspects of Harry Potter is that I grew up alongside him. I read the first book when I was 10, and the last book came out when I graduated high school. And the last movie came out the year I graduated college. So when I got the ticket, nothing was going to stop me from going to New York.

At the event, Rowling was interviewed by writer Ann Patchett, who did a fantastic job. After their discussion, Rowling read an excerpt from The Casual Vacancy and then answered some fan questions. Everyone got a free copy of The Casual Vacancy, and we had the opportunity to get it signed.

September C. Fawkes and J.K. Rowling

We each received "rule cards" that let us know how the signing process would go (and that she wouldn’t sign body parts).  The line moved surprisingly fast, and I figured Rowling was signing each book very quickly, but as I got closer to her, I realized she was talking to everyone. And when she was with someone, she was really with that person. She even talked to me when she didn’t have to. For a moment, she had eyes for only me. I had ALL her attention.  And she had such a genuine countenance about her. She really is that great. When I do book signings someday, I hope to emulate her.

And by the way, she has two more books she is working on—and I know one is a book for children.

If you would like a rough transcript of the event, send me a message.