What will J.K. Rowling write next?

At the Edinburgh International Book Festival crime-writer Ian Rankin recently announced that he had some inside intelligence about what fellow Edinburgh resident J.K. Rowling was planning to write next. This announcement was then printed in the Sunday Times:
The Sunday Times newspaper quoted Ian Rankin, a fellow author and neighbor of Rowling's, as saying the creator of the "Harry Potter" books is turning to crime fiction.

"My wife spotted her writing her Edinburgh criminal detective novel," the newspaper, which was available late Saturday, quoted Rankin as telling a reporter at an Edinburgh literary festival.

"It is great that she has not abandoned writing or Edinburgh cafes," said Rankin, who is known for his own police novels set in the historic Scottish city.
The announcement caused a bit of a stir online. But it turns out Rankin was only joking... the joke being, of course, that HE writes Edinburgh criminal detective novels. (If you've never read a Rankin novel, you should. They're good stuff.) Rowling's literary agent commented:
JK Rowling is taking a well-earned break following the English language publication of Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows and there are no firm plans as yet as to what her next book may be.
I think it would be kind of cool if she did write a crime novel next. (Thanks, Joe)

--And, incidentally, what does one call a person who lives in Edinburgh? An Edinburghian? Flora should know.

Literature/Language

Posted on Tue Aug 21, 2007



Comments

I ran into JKR the other day, and she told me she was writing a compendium of historical pranks, lies, and misrepresentations, tentatively titled: "Rhino Swallows Pixie". She said this is a sure moneymaker, and has already sold the film rights for several million pounds. Of dung.
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Tue Aug 21, 2007  at  12:48 PM
People from Edinburgh are called "Edinburgers". I like mine with cheese and mayo.
Posted by PiltdownHacker  on  Tue Aug 21, 2007  at  03:28 PM
We Glasweigans call them "Edinbuggers".

In fairness, they call us "Weigies".

True story. But don't even get me started on Aberdonians...
Posted by The REAL Loch Lomond Monster  on  Tue Aug 21, 2007  at  03:42 PM
What do you call someone from Edinburgh are called Scots - not English.

Incidently, when I was stationed in Europe, I visited Edinburgh and had a few drinks with one of the members of the regiment guarding the Castle. After hearing what Clans my Scottish ancestors were from he declared we could drink together since there were no feudes between us. He also mentioned he was a member of the Royal German Army.
Posted by Christopher Cole  on  Tue Aug 21, 2007  at  05:03 PM
Damn. I heard this and I thought it was for real. Oh well.
Posted by MangaBottle  on  Tue Aug 21, 2007  at  10:02 PM
Given that 'Edinburgh' is pronounced 'Edinb(o)ro' (roughly, I don't have IPA on my keyboard), how would 'Edinburgher' (or any other such derivative) be pronounced? 'Edinborrower'? 'Edinbrugger'?
Posted by outeast  on  Wed Aug 22, 2007  at  02:31 AM
Someone born in Edinburgh is called 'Sir' or 'Ma'am', of course.
Posted by Nona  on  Wed Aug 22, 2007  at  06:11 AM
Edinburgh is pronounced 'Edinburuh'. At least, if you live here.
😉
There's not really a specific word for us, other than those mentioned above.
I'd like to note that The Sun, that bastion of truthfulness, has a full page article on this.
Posted by Boo  on  Wed Aug 22, 2007  at  07:37 AM
Judging from Trainspotting (which is an authority to rival the Sun), if you come from Leith the favoured term is c__t.

I've been unable to verify from context whether that applies to Leitherians specifically, Edinbourghians generally, or simply members of the Scottish population as a whole (with an option on the majority of the human race).

Those south of the border, of course, are known as W____rs. I believe this term is not limited to the denizens of a single specific conurbation.
Posted by outeast  on  Wed Aug 22, 2007  at  07:49 AM
Hey Hairy Houdini--you got it all wrong. JK's next book is actually MAMMOTHS OFF BASE. get it????
Posted by #1 Fan  on  Wed Aug 22, 2007  at  03:07 PM
Close but it should have been 'Mice' as the generally accepted antonym of elephant.
Posted by Charybdis  on  Wed Aug 22, 2007  at  04:13 PM
I had an Ant Onym. She was very contrary. Sorry, that was Uncle Defor. I apologize
Posted by Hairy Houdini  on  Wed Aug 22, 2007  at  06:04 PM
aw shucks, CiH, you are right (left?). correct.
Posted by #1 Fan  on  Sat Aug 25, 2007  at  04:38 PM
I THINK YOU SHOULD WRITE ANOTHER HARRY POTTER BOOK. other wise you did good
Posted by David Gerding  on  Tue Oct 02, 2007  at  05:25 PM
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