I'll give you the epigraph for chapter one:
'Why did you let your eyes so rest on me,
And hold your breath between?
In all the ages this can never be
As if it had not been.'Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
A Moment https://t.co/y3bDJZJPiO— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 12, 2022
Three quick thoughts: Read More “Rowling Tweets First Chapter Epigraph: It’s a Poem by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge”
Just stumbled on the *best* Twitter conversation about the Strike books. I love hearing what you think of all the characters – Linda, Leda, Barclay, Izzy, Lucy, Lorelei, Pat et al (and Al!). Trust me, there'll be a lot more to talk about after #TheInkBlackHeart comes out 🖤 1/2
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 10, 2022
Nick Jeffery revealed to me that the “Twitter conversation about the Strike books” Rowling says is the *Best* are the tweeted questions of Kurt Schreyer, friend of and contributor to HogwartsProfessor. Note Nick Jeffery and Louise Freeman’s contributions to the comment threads below Kurt’s provocative tweets:
Any Strike Fans have characters they like even though you're really not supposed to? Mine is Torquil "Torks" D'Amery in Lethal White. Vividly written (mustard corduroys = perfect) w/ some funny lines (e.g. "guilty as charged" re: his paternity & telling the terrier to shut up)
— Kurt Schreyer (@kasstl1) August 8, 2022
Following up on yesterday's tweet @RGalbraith Fans, let's turn the question around: is there a character that you're probably *supposed* to like but you kinda don't? As I've told @LindsayMLand, for me this is Linda Ellacott, Robin's mother and, I'm sorry to say, Leda too. (1/2)
— Kurt Schreyer (@kasstl1) August 9, 2022
Wow, Strike fans, yesterday's question caught fire! Let me ask you all another question: we're all fans of @jk_rowling's sharp sense of humour — what's your favorite one-liner or witty rejoinder in the @RGalbraith series? This is a tough one for me… (1/3)
— Kurt Schreyer (@kasstl1) August 10, 2022
Curiously, Rowling’s follow-up to the post above was a comment about Pat Chauncey, the Strike Agency secretary, which prompted (cued?) the twitter account for this fictional character to go into over-drive (see Nick Jeffery’s post yesterday about the various hilarious accounts Strike characters have started).
I am wondering if this does not confirm the speculation that these accounts are a playful and clever means to prime the pump, i.e., create more enthusiasm for the incipient Ink Black Heart.
Is it possible that The Presence is the Voice Behind the Curtain and that today’s ventriloquist’s dummy is Pat Chauncey, @SuperKingPAatC? If so, I hope she gets to Ciara Porter soon!
Regardless, this is the most fun Striker fandom has had on social media in many a day and has succeeded in engaging Rowling herself, for which thanks and congratulations are due to Kurt Shreyer!
Last week, while idly scrolling through Twitter, I came upon a fun bunch of accounts created after characters from the Strike novels. Two in particular caught my eye: Anomie was apparently created very quickly after the new plot synopsis was released, and Roddy Fforbes, who we never meet and is mentioned only twice in Troubled Blood.
I have collected below the new accounts, while we are waiting for The Ink Black Heart why not follow? They are all acted in good humour, and not above poking fun at the ‘official’ accounts. I predict lots of shenanigans, as these accounts discover how their new story unfolds.
Read More “Strike on Twitter – Sixteen Characters in Search of a Story”
On 2 July, The Harlequin Pub in Sheffield created a new cocktail, the ‘JKR,’ in Rowling’s honor. She pledged two days later to buy the necessary ingredients to try it out.
I haven’t currently got any jenever or koko kanu, but once I’ve addressed this foolish oversight I’ll be making myself one. #TheHarlequinPub #honoured https://t.co/BPvZZ4OpK9
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 4, 2022
Well, she elected instead to drop in at the Harlequin at lunchtime today, a week later, and have the drink as made by its creator. Read More “‘The JKR:’ Rowling Honored by Boozer”
My family’s address (covered), a pipe bomb and a picture of a bomb-making handbook. The account remains active, naturally. #BeKind pic.twitter.com/IoEkHzpmpd
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 1, 2022
The good news? The Daily Mail reports that this death threat and incitement to lethal violence by a trangender activist has a happy ending (sort of):
Last night, a Police Scotland spokeswoman said: ‘Officers are carrying out enquiries.’
Fiona McAnena of campaign group Fair Play For Women told The Mail on Sunday: ‘The fact that people can make death threats publicly without worry is a telling indictment.’
Yesterday, the abusive profile was finally deleted for violating Twitter rules….
#IStandWith JKRowling was trending on Twitter last night. Ms Rowling’s representatives declined to comment.