LONDON – Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling (search) will give a midnight reading of the sixth book in her hugely successful series at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland to coincide with its publication, the writer announced Saturday.
Rowling said on her Web site that newspapers and bookshops in six countries will choose 70 children between ages 8 and 16 who aspire to be journalists to go to Edinburgh for the reading of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." (search)
Those attending the reading early July 16 will get a copy of the book to read before questioning Rowling at a "children's press conference" the next day, she said.
Newspapers in Britain, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (search) were running competitions starting Saturday to choose their representatives, Rowling said.
Bookshops and libraries in Britain and Ireland also would send children to the event, and two youngsters from Harry Potter fan Web sites have been invited to interview the writer, the announcement said.
The book, which already has huge advance orders, is expected to be a major seller.
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