Moonlight Signing

To celebrate the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on 21st July 2007, J.K. Rowling signed the night away at the Natural History Museum in London.

Allen & Unwin ran a competition for Australian and New Zealand fans to attend this special event.

Harry Potter fan Angela, the competition winner from New Zealand, wrote to tell us what happened at the Moonlight Signing:

"I'd just like to thank you and the staff at Allen and Unwin so much for providing this absolutely amazing opportunity for my mum and I - we had the time of our lives in London, the highlight of which was (undoubtedly) meeting Jo - here is our version of events from the magical evening of July the 20th.

"As we walked down the path to where the other winners were waiting, we saw the magnificent sight of the Natural History Museum lit up against the dark sky (it was very beautiful, almost Hogwarts-like). At 10PM, we were called to go and 'sign in' in a white marquee (to the right of where we were waiting), and the Bloomsbury lady gave us our 'bookmark' with our number for the signing on it (32) before we walked up another curving path to the entrance to the Museum.

"The MC of the night introduced herself, and quickly went over the short rules of the night. We all practiced a countdown to midnight (it needed to have a brief cheering phase at the end, so that Jo could start her reading) and after a short interval in which we chatted briefly to the winners around us, Jo entered. Overcome with emotion, the full realisation of the immensity of our journey hit myself and my mum, and we could only sit and grin as she made her way to a red pouffe which, unbelievably, was sitting about 4 feet in front of me (!!).

"After getting hooked up to a microphone and having a make-up touch up, because we were a little ahead of schedule, Jo asked, 'Does anyone have any questions?' My hand immediately went up, and (unbelievably) she picked me to ask the first question! As my mind froze solid, I could think only of the one question I wanted to ask her: '[Hi Jo!] Who was the character that got the reprieve?' (No spoilers!) Naturally, she answered: "I can't tell you sorry..." "...but I will tell you that he is male, and an adult. And by an adult, I mean over 25." - which made me smile hugely.

"After a few more questions (including the revelation of one of the other titles she had been considering [Harry Potter and the 'Chapter 32']), it was almost midnight - and as we counted down from 10, the excitement in the room increased palpably. As she started reading, silence fell over the Great Hall; everyone listened intently to the first chapter. As she said the last words, a huge applause broke out - everyone was screaming and cheering - and Jo looked immensely satisfied."