She's not yet down on her knees, but Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is pleading for silence from anyone who has obtained a copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" prior to its official July 21 release.
"As launch night looms, let's all, please, ignore the misinformation popping up on the web and in the press on the plot of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,'" Rowling wrote in a message posted Wednesday on her website, http://www.jkrowling.com/.
"I'd like to ask everyone who calls themselves a Potter fan to help preserve the secrecy of the plot for all those who are looking forward to reading the book at the same time on publication day. In a very short time you will know EVERYTHING!"
Alleged images of Rowling's seventh and final Potter book have already been circulating online for several days. More than 100 actual books may already have been received by customers. As of Wednesday morning, the 34.99 U.S. dollars release was being offered on eBay, for immediate purchase, for 250 dollars.
Scholastic, Inc., Rowling's U.S. publisher, announced Wednesday it was taking "immediate legal action" against online retailer DeepDiscount.com and distributor Levy Home Entertainment after learning that "some individuals have received copies of `Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' through the mail."
"We are also making a direct appeal to the Harry Potter fans who bought their books from DeepDiscount.com and may receive copies early, requesting that they keep the packages hidden until midnight on July 21st," Scholastic said in a statement.
According to Scholastic, "around one one-hundredth of one percent of the total U.S. copies" going on sale early Saturday morning were received prematurely. With an announced first printing of 12 million, that would mean about 120 copies.
Hiding the contents of a book, especially when millions have been printed and shipped, has proved nearly impossible over the years. Publishers have tried repeatedly to "embargo" an anticipated work until its scheduled release date, and almost always failed. But early leaks, usually by the media, have not kept such books as Bob Woodward's "State of Denial" or Bill Clinton's "My Life" from blockbuster success.
Source: Xinhua/agencies
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