J.K. Rowling Coming to New York

Author J.K. Rowling will be coming to New York in August to help raise money for the Haven Foundation, a newly founded charity aiming to help performing artists who have suffered from illnesses or accidents that prevent them from working. The funds that will be raised will also go towards helping the international group of medical practitioners known as Doctors Without Borders, who's principal mission is to bring emergency medical assistance to people in disaster zones and third world countries.

Rowling will be joining Stephen King and John Irving at a charity reading at Radio City Music Hall, and ticket prices will range from $12.50 to $100 apiece, with $1,000 family packages including four orchestra seats and a signed book from each of the authors. All proceeds will go to the charities. Simon & Schuster and Scholastic are sponsoring the event.

Ms. Rowling, who last visited the United States in 2000, was asked to come and read at the event by Stephen King, who is a huge fan of the Potter series.

In a statement, Ms. Rowling said: "Stephen pretended to be in suspense about my answer, but frankly, this was easily one of the most enticing propositions ever put to me in an envelope."

Source: The New York Times