Pottermore and Audible to release new J K Rowling audiobook

Pottermore and Audible have announced a collaboration to publish a new audiobook Quidditch Through the Ages by J K Rowling, read by actor Andrew Lincoln.

Pottermore will make a proportion of the proceeds from this audiobook available to both Comic Relief, and J K Rowling’s own charity Lumos.

The audiobook will be published on 15th March 2018 globally for the first time. It will also have additional content by J K Rowling, previously published on pottermore.com, in the form of 2014 Quidditch World Cup match commentary by Ginny Potter, the Daily Prophet’s Quidditch correspondent, narrated by actress Imogen Church, and Rita Skeeter, narrated by actress Annette Badland, as they analyse players’ tactics and gossip about the game’s celebrity spectators.

It is being produced at Pinewood Studios. Using real objects and spatialised sound, Pinewood has created effects that thread through the recording, including a section that places listeners into the frenetic heart of a live Quidditch match.

Ravina Bajwa, commisioning editor, audio, at Pottermore Publishing, said: “Kennilworthy Whisp’s Quidditch Through the Ages is the most authoritative work on Quidditch in the wizarding world. Andrew Lincoln has done an astonishing job interpreting Whisp’s magical textbook into an enchanting vocal performance. His narration brings out both the charming humour in J K Rowling’s writing, and the vibrant characters that have inhabited the world of Quidditch throughout time.”

Laurence Howell, director of content at Audible UK, said: “We are thrilled to offer Audible listeners the opportunity to enjoy a brilliant performance of yet another essential component of J K Rowling’s Wizarding World. Both Andrew’s narration and the highly detailed sound design really let you immerse yourself in this richly imagined universe. Ever since we first made the Harry Potter series available on Audible in 2015, they have been consistently among the highest rated, most downloaded, and most listened to audiobooks in our store.”

Lincoln added: “The Wizarding World is one that I always wanted to get the chance to step into. What makes this project so special, is not only that it allowed me the opportunity to create something my kids love and enjoy, but it also supports great causes, like Comic Relief and Lumos.”