AP News, February 3rd, 2007
J.K. Rowling marked the spot where she finished the final "Harry Potter" book. "J.K. Rowling finished writing `Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows' in this room on 11 Jan 2007," read the message on an antique-style statue at Edinburgh's five-star Balmoral Hotel.
The writer announced on Thursday that the seventh and final installment in the series, which tells the story of Harry during his final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, will be published July 21.
"I can confirm she did write some of the book at the Balmoral last month and did complete the book at that hotel," the author's spokeswoman, Nicky Stonehill, said.
The hotel said it does not encourage guests to write on hotel property, but Rowling is a special case.
"Obviously this is quite a unique case," hotel spokeswoman Jessica Trotter said. "We're honored and flattered she chose the Balmoral as surroundings to do her writing."
As a single mother on welfare more than a decade ago, Rowling used to sit in cafes near the Balmoral while writing her first book, "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone."
Since then, Rowling _ who lives in Edinburgh with her husband and children _ has seen her books sell more than 325 million copies in 64 languages.
Four hit movies already have been adapted from the Potter books. The fifth film, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," is scheduled to come out July 13, eight days before the release of "Deathly Hallows."
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On the Net:
http://www.jkrowling.com
http://www.thebalmoralhotel.com
