Author who published detective novel as Robert Galbraith was 'dismayed and distressed'
HARRY POTTER author JK Rowling has accepted a large donation to a charity of her choice from the law firm who unmasked her as the real author of a detective novel she wrote under the pen-name Robert Galbraith, says the BBC. Rowling brought a legal action against Chris Gossage, a partner in Russells Solicitors, who represent Rowling, and his friend Judith Callegari, for revealing her identity. The High Court in London heard that Rowling was "left dismayed and distressed by such a fundamental betrayal of trust". The firm has agreed to pay Rowling's legal costs and make a substantial donation to The Soldiers' Charity (formerly the Army Benevolent Fund), which she chose in part as a thankyou for help she received from the forces when researching the book. Published as the work of an ex-serviceman, Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo's Calling received positive reviews and sold a respectable 1,500 copies. But within hours of its real authorship breaking the book had risen 5,000 places to the top of Amazon's bestsellers list. The court heard that Gossage had revealed the truth of the authorship to his wife's best friend, Callegari, whom he "trusted implicitly". When she revealed Rowling was the author via Twitter to a journalist, the firm contacted Rowling to apologise for Gossage's lapse. Gossage, Callegari and Russells Solicitors all offered their apologies in court. Rowling said she would donate all royalties from the book to The Soldiers' Charity, whose chief executive Major General Martin Rutledge said he was "absolutely thrilled". He added: "This donation will make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of soldiers, former soldiers and their families who are in real need. Her tremendous show of support for The Soldiers' Charity will help to remind people of the many sacrifices made by our soldiers, long after any news of Afghanistan has left the front page." · For further concise, balanced comment and analysis on the week's news, try The Week magazine. Subscribe today and get 6 issues completely free. Source: The Week UK
