"Harry Potter author JK Rowling is offering children from all over the world the chance to attend the launch of her new book. The sixth instalment in the series about the boy wizard will be unveiled at Edinburgh Castle on 16 July.

At one minute past the witching hour Rowling will read from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. A variety of media competitions will give 70 children the chance to become a member of the audience.

The lucky children will travel up the Scottish capital's historic Royal Mile in horse-drawn carriages to the Castle Esplanade for the event, which will be broadcast live worldwide on TV and radio.

The youngsters, who must be aged from eight to 16, will return to the oak-beamed Great Hall of the castle later on the Saturday for a Hogwarts-style banquet.

On the Sunday, the winners will then have the opportunity to be cub reporters and question Rowling, in what the author has promised will be the book's only news conference. Each youngster will take home a copy of the penultimate book in the series of seven, personally signed by the author.


Edinburgh Castle

Bloomsburry
JK Rowling.com
BBC News