Despite a level of security that's been compared to that of the CIA, the British and American publishers of J.K. Rowling's bestselling series of Harry Potter novels were unable to keep the title of Book IV a secret until the book's on-sale date of July 8. The London Telegraph reported Sunday that "sources close to the project" strongly hinted that the title of the new book is "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Today, Scholastic Inc., the U.S. publisher of the series, issued a statement confirming that report.
"It was leaked," said Scholastic spokeswoman Judy Corman, "and once that happened, we felt it was silly" to continue to try to keep the title a secret. "It was going to be a surprise, like a birthday or a Christmas present, for the kids," she continued with a sigh. "We're sorry, but we know they'll like the book just the same."
Corman states that the Telegraph was not alone in leaking the title, but decline to name any other outlets for the story.
In a letter to her readers, Jenna, the creator of the Unofficial Harry Potter Fan Club Web site and a 27-year-old Web designer, says that "credible" sources had e-mailed her the title several days before the Telegraph story ran, but that she still felt unsure about posting it to her site. When "a person e-mailed me with the title and threatened to tell other webmasters if I didn't post the info and give him credit," she refused his demand, later deciding to post the information because "it was leaking out." Jenna, who does not offer a last name, also posts cover art for both the U.S. and U.K. editions of the book, stating, "After researching the sources of the images, I have come to believe the title and cover [for the U.S. book] are accurate."
Rumors have been flying on the Web and off about the plot for "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," but Rowling has insisted that all information about the book be kept a strict secret to avoid spoiling it for her many young readers. Emma Matthewson, her editor at Bloomsbury, her U.K. publisher, told the Telegraph that she kept the 700-page manuscript -- of which there was only one copy -- with her at all times, "and when I was not working, I kept it in a safety box in the bank." She added that her car had been broken into twice while she was editing the manuscript.
Fans have instead been contenting themselves with news tidbits about the casting of the film version of her first book, "Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone," to be directed by Chris Columbus. British actress Maggie Smith is reportedly up for the role of Professor MacGonagall and Tim Roth is rumored to be a candidate to play Harry's nemesis, the sinister Professor Snape.
Salon reviews of Harry Potter films:
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
The long-awaited movie is faithful to J.K. Rowling's book, but the fantasy isn't very fantastic and the evil just isn't dark enough.
By Andrew O'Hehir, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"
Despite terrific special effects and funnier gags, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" finds a way to make J.K. Rowling's marvelous series into a deadly bore.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"
Hippogriffs, Dementors and Harry, oh my! Director Alfonso Cuaron finally decants the essence of J.K. Rowling's work and brings us one of the greatest fantasy films of all time.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
Harry and his friends are growing up, but this latest Potter film may leave you struggling with your own childhood demons.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
Patches of magical beauty rescue this sprawling adaptation of the fifth book in J.K. Rowling's beloved series.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
The sixth film in J.K. Rowling's series has beautiful special effects, and something even more rare: Magic.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
Other Salon articles related to the films:
Harry Potter doesn't get "Blue Velvet"
The boy has no profound psychosexual life, which keeps the film from being dangerous -- and important.
By David Thomson, Salon
Harry Potter and the art of screenwriting
Michael Goldenberg talks about the pleasures and pitfalls of adapting "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" for the big screen.
By Rebecca Traister, Salon
The sexual awakening of Hermione
How "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson is navigating the tricky transition from adorable child actor to mature adult.
By Joy Press, Salon
Salon reviews of Harry Potter books:
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," like all great escapist reading, takes you happily back to where you already were.
By Charles Taylor, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
With her fourth Harry Potter book, J.K. Rowling takes her young hero to his darkest adventure yet.
By Charles Taylor, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
No, Hogwarts isn't a hotbed of drugs, smoking and sex (at least not yet). But J.K. Rowling's rich and huge new installment unmistakably brings our bespectacled hero into adolescence.
By Laura Miller, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
Harry learns more about his mysterious nemesis -- and the brutal reality of being 16 -- in J.K. Rowling's tricky, but ultimately satisfying, penultimate volume in the "Harry Potter" series.
By Laura Miller, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
Does J.K. Rowling's final installment, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," provide the magical ending to the beloved series her readers so desperately long for?
By Laura Miller, Salon
Other articles related to the books:
Dumbledore? Gay. J.K. Rowling? Chatty.
What happens when authors like J.K. Rowling can't stop telling their own stories?
By Rebecca Traister, Salon
A.S. Byatt and the goblet of bile
The author's recent New York Times Op-Ed shows that she doesn't understand why so many of us love Harry Potter. Maybe it's just too much fun.
By Charles Taylor, Salon
A list of their own
Has Harry Potter changed the course of the New York Times Book Review -- and the children's book market -- for good or for evil? It depends on whom you ask.
By Kera Bolonik, Salon
Of magic and single motherhood
Bestselling author J.K. Rowling is still trying to fathom the instant fame that came with her first children's novel.
By Margaret Weir, Salon
Harry Potter's girl troubles
The world of everyone's favorite kid wizard is a place where boys come first.
By Christine Schoefer, Salon
Can 35 million book buyers be wrong? Yes.
The cultural critics will, soon enough, introduce Harry Potter into their college curriculum, and The New York Times will go on celebrating another confirmation of the dumbing-down it leads and exemplifies.
By Harold Bloom, The Wall Street Journal
On the Potter lifestyle:
Potterpalooza
For the Quidditch players, wizard rockers and would-be witches who gathered at a New Orleans Harry Potter convention, this is the dawning of their summer of love -- and loss.
By Rebecca Traister, Salon
For Harry Potter fans about to rock, we salute you
A global network of Potter-influenced bands inspired kids like 8-year-old Darius to make their own wizard rock. Will fans keep the music alive?
By Elisabeth Donnelly, Salon
The end of the affair
For almost a decade, Harry Potter and Tony Soprano have been my intimate companions. Now it's time to disentangle myself from their lives and say goodbye.
By Rebecca Traister, Salon
Wizard people, dear reader
The first chapter in the famed unauthorized "re-telling" of the Harry Potter films.
A Look at Werewolves from WOLF MAN to NEW MOON
Open Salon box office in review (10/18/09)
Is there enough of me left for a novel?
You Say Childless Like It's A Bad Thing