JK Rowling's New Novel Deal

Heading over to www.jkrowling.com today may cause some die hard fans' hearts to go a-flutter. The time has come. JK Rowling is getting ready to wow us all again.

In an effort to prepare for her new novel which she is publishing for adults, the site is under construction. We now wait, with bated breath, for the site to be relaunched later this Spring with the knowledge that JK Rowling is a planner who has a reason behind nearly every action when associated with her books. For the truly attentive fan, the new site will be a welcome distraction as they count down the months, weeks and days until the book's release.

For now, we celebrate all the news. First and foremost, Rowling's new book is for adults and something completely new. She said:

Although I've enjoyed writing it every bit as much, my next book will be very different to the Harry Potter series, which has been published so brilliantly by Bloomsbury and my other publishers around the world. The freedom to explore new territory is a gift that Harry's success has brought me, and with that new territory it seemed a logical progression to have a new publisher. I am delighted to have a second publishing home in Little, Brown, and a publishing team that will be a great partner in this new phase of my writing life.

The details of the deal are not completely disclosed, but Publisher's Weekly has been able to share some insight:

The author has signed a world English deal with Little, Brown, selling print, e-book, and audio rights to her first novel for adults. David Shelley, publisher of the Little, Brown Book Group in the U.K., will be editing the work, which is currently untitled; he brokered the deal with Neil Blair of the Blair Partnership. Rumors have surfaced that Little, Brown was given an exclusive on the work.

In the statement from Little, Brown, David Shelley's understandable excitement could be felt:

For me, quite simply, it is a personal and professional dream come true to be working with J.K. Rowling. She is one of the best storytellers in the world, and I am looking forward enormously to helping bring her new novel for adults to her fans and admirers, and to introducing her writing to new readers the world over.

As one of the millions of the JK Rowling adult fans and admirers, I'm here to say I CAN'T WAIT!!
And in true nerd fandom, my mind is already bubbling with questions like Why Little, Brown? Is this just a choice of publishing preference or, in itself, some clue for the attentive reader to find? JKR didn't just happen upon them, it looks as though she chose them. It is these kinds of moves that get my spidey-senses tingling. Also, in that same thinking, What is the significance of today's date 2-23-12? Even more than my first question, I feel that there is some clue or message in the selection of this time to transition the website and announce the publishing union.

My fellow book nerds, what do you think? What other clues has JKR already started to sprinkle? What type of book do you think this will be? So, so many questions!! Time to get ready for another incredible Rowling ride!

Much thanks to Susan Sipal of Harry Potter for Writers
who shared this news with me today!!

This announcement was also shared on The Word of the Nerd blog. 

(You should totally check us out over there!)