J.K. Rowling must really enjoy writing as Robert Galbraith. Today she confirmed she has many more Cormoran Strike books planned.
The Harry Potter author made her one and only appearance to promote her latest book The Silkworm at the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate this evening.
Though Rowling didn’t wear a mustache like some people were hoping, she did sport a suit and tie since technically this appearance was to promote a Robert Galbraith book. You can see her Galbraith “look” in the photo above (Val McDermid is standing next to Rowling/Galbraith). Funnily, in the press release the photo credit says that Galbraith is “pictured,” not Rowling.
The Crime Vault, a digital venture from Little, Brown, was at the event and shared a couple of interesting tidbits from the author.
For starters, Rowling confirmed a previous report which indicated she has at least seven Cormoran Strike books planned. According to The Crime Vault, Rowling said tonight that “she has MORE than seven” novels in the works.
“I love writing these books,” Rowling said in comments shared by The Bookseller. “One of the things I love about this genre is that – unlike Harry [the Harry Potter series] where there is an overarching story, here you are talking about discrete stories. So as long as your detective lives you can give him cases.”
She said that it shouldn’t come as a surprise that she’s enjoyed writing the Cormoran Strike novels because the Harry Potter novels were “six whodunits and one why dun it.” She added that she never reads fantasy.
In addition, Rowling/Galbraith is currently a third of the way through writing the third novel, and already has a plan set for the fourth. The third Cormoran Strike book “will be centered around the experience of returning soldiers.”
According to a tweet from another attendee, Rowling told the audience that Cormoran’s assistant Robin is the most lovable character she’s ever written, including any Harry Potter character. “A good person but likable,” she said of Robin, “a smart woman, a kind and loyal person.”
One can assume that Rowling is busier than ever when you consider that she’s juggling Cormoran Strike books, the Fantastic Beasts trilogy, Pottermore, and whatever other surprises she has up her sleeve.
Photo credit: Fenris Oswin