Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling Publishes New Book "The Ickabog" Online For Free

By Rachel Yohannan on 27 May 2020

Senior Digital Editor

Crazy cat lady who loves afternoon tea, kawaii Japanese fashion, and all things Sanrio.

While stuck at home, many of us have been turning into culinary extraordinaires and fitspos with easy recipes and home workouts. Others have decided to embrace the couch potato life with Netflix series and K-dramas. Some of you have decided to catch up on reading.

If you’ve already re-read the entire Harry Potter series during this circuit breaker, author J.K. Rowling has something else for you: She’s publishing her new book “The Ickabog” online, free for all to enjoy.

Read on to find out more about The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling!

Photo from J.K. Rowling via Twitter

J.K. Rowling was quick to clarify that “The Ickabog” is not a “Harry Potter” spinoff, nor related in any way to the young wizard. In fact, this is her first non-Potter book for children.

Though written with juniors in mind, we’re sure that the young at heart will love the book too, as was the case with “Harry Potter”.

Photo from J.K. Rowling via Twitter

This novel will be released chapter by chapter on her website from now till 10 July 2020, absolutely free of charge. The first 2 chapters have already been released on the book’s website here, so knock yourselves out!

This fantasy tale was actually written 10 years ago, as a bedtime story for her young kids. She has since decided to make it available to all, in order to provide some wholesome entertainment to children and families trying to keep themselves occupied during this quarantine season.

Photo from J.K. Rowling via Twitter

A physical copy of the book will be released in November, and the 54-year-old wordsmith is inviting children aged 7-12 to help illustrate it through a drawing competition. She will be giving prompts as the series unfolds, but stresses that everyone should let their imaginations run wild and not let her ideas strictly dictate what they draw.

Entries will be received from 29 May to 17 July 2020, and 34 winners will each receive a signed copy of the book.

Photo from J.K. Rowling via Twitter