Video of Jo reading Chapter One

Bloomsbury Press has posted the video from London's Midnight Launch Party of Jo reading the entire first chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Previously Bloomsbury said that they would only make this available for two weeks.

Five-and-a-half more hours until I get my copy of the book!

Take a look! “Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter” A&E show

Here they are, recordings of the entire A&E show "Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter" have been posted to YouTube.

You ask, what am I talking about? The Harry Potter Lexicon’s Supreme Mugwump Steve Vander Ark was interviewed by the Arts and Entertainment Network along with John Granger (Who Killed Albus Dumbledore?, Looking for God in Harry Potter) and Janet Batchler (What Will Harry Do?) for a show that explores the plot and mysteries of the Potter stories. Fun stuff, I promise.

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Part 5
• Exclusive Clip

Originally broadcast July 8, 2007. Thanks to Snitchseeker for the links!

Must watch: Great Snape Debate

I just finished watching the Borders-sponsored "Great Snape Debate" film from the Phoenix Rising conference in New Orleans this May. It's brilliant; I can't recommend it more highly. Wow.

Video: http://www.bordersmedia.com/harrypotter/snapepanel/

Here are the topics the panel considered:
Chapter 1: Panel Introductions
Chapter 2: Harry as a Witness
Chapter 3: Snape: More Interesting as Friend or Foe?
Chapter 4: Snape: Black, White, or Morally Gray?
Chapter 5: Snape and the Unbreakable Vow
Chapter 6: Snape and the Unbreakable Vow II
Chapter 7: The Motivations of Snape
Chapter 8: Lucky Potion/Greasy Kid Syndrome
Chapter 9: Snape Loving Lily?
Chapter 10: A Mother's Love
Chapter 11: The Unbreakable Vow Theory

More information on earliest known video

AQ reader Julia Crimmins has been researching the origins of the video from Dissendium we told you about a little more than an month ago. She has determined that it's source is a video called "The Magical World Of J K Rowling - Author Of Harry Potter" published in the U.S. in 2000. Furthermore, it contains additional video of Jo (wearing the same outfit) signing the American edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, so the video excerpt would seem to date to October 1999 when she was touring the U.S. Solid sleuthing, Julia!

Later edit: I forgot to mention that you can also read a transcript of the video excerpt.

4 interview videos discovered!

Happy Valentines Day! We have a video present for you: I found video recordings for four Rowling interviews, including what is arguably the best ever, the 2001 BBC/A&E production of "Harry Potter and Me!" Links are all up on our list of videos.

A new video of JKR, source unknown

Dissendium has posted an old video (from 1999? 2000?) of an interview of J.K. Rowling. We are trying to figure out what the source is -- it appears to be entirely new! If you have any information about this please let us know.

Highlights: Jo tells the audience that Harry will attend Hogwarts in his seventh year (we knew this already) and that Dudley had better watch out once Harry reaches his majority and can practice magic outside of Hogwarts (also not new canon).

Although Jo has told us that she feels uneasy speaking to crowds, the film clip is a delightful example of how funny and open Jo can be when she is relaxed and comfortable.

Transcript now posted.

Edit: AQ staffer Jules has researched this video and discovered that it dates to October 1999 when she was in the Boston area on tour. There is a related report here.