Scholastic to Unveil New Cover for HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN at LeakyCon, 6/27

By: Jun. 26, 2013
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At LeakyCon, a convention that grew out of the worldwide Harry Potter fan community, Scholastic, the U.S. publisher of the Harry Potter series, will reveal the third of the seven new Harry Potter covers illustrated by bestselling author/illustrator, Kazu Kibuishi. The artwork depicts a key moment in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third novel by J.K. Rowling about the boy wizard.

Cheryl Klein, senior editor at Arthur A. Levine Books and a continuity editor on the Harry Potter series, will unveil the new cover during the LeakyCon opening ceremonies on June 27 at the Oregon Convention Center, making this a special moment for fans at LeakyCon who have grown up with the novels.

The new artwork for the first novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was released on the television program Good Morning America in February, while the second, depicting Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was released at this year's Book Expo America (BEA) in New York.

The artwork released at LeakyCon will appear in new trade paperbacks of all seven books in the series, to be released in coordination with the 15th Anniversary of the release of the U.S. publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the original book in the bestselling series.

LeakyCon blends the nerdy fun of a Comic-Con with the community and excitement of South by Southwest. It celebrates everything about being a fan, from creations and costumes to debates and discussions.

LeakyCon will include appearances, performances, and special events featuring actors from the Harry Potter films, including Devon Murray (Seamus Finnigan), Scarlett Byrne (Pansy Parkinson), and Ellie Darcey-Alden (Young Lily).

Additional special guests include Jackie Emerson (Foxface) from The Hunger Games film, Amber Benson (Tara Maclay) and Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells) from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen) from both the original broadway cast of Rent as well as the film adaptation, and actors and creators from The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, the successful modern-day vlog adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice.

Among the events offered over the four-day convention are live rock shows, panels, workshops, meet-and-greets and special guest signings, a 5K nerdy fun run, talent and costume competitions, and the Esther Earl Rocking Charity Ball, held on the final night of the convention. With a focus on community and giving people of all ages a place to call home, LeakyCon delivers a unique experience to all who attend.

LeakyCon will also present LeakyLit, a special two-day "conference within a conference" focusing on Children's and Young Adult literature. Planned in coordination with New York Times bestselling authors Maureen Johnson and Robin Wasserman, the lineup of writers, agents, and editors includes heavy-hitting industry professionals such as Lev Grossman, David Levithan, Lauren Myracle, Laini Taylor, and more.

Each of the seven new trade paperback covers, which will be in stores on August 27, 2013, depict a distinctive and memorable moment from the respective book. The collection will also be released in August as a boxed set.

For more information about LeakyCon, visit www.LeakyCon.com.

LeakyCon is a fan conference which comes from and celebrates everything about the Harry Potter fandom. LeakyCon is a place where fans can be themselves. LeakyCon 2013 is the fourth Harry Potter fan conference produced by Mischief Management and follows LeakyCon 2012, held in Chicago, IL in August of 2012.

The four-day fan conference is strongly rooted in the Harry Potter fandom, featuring appearances by Devon Murray, Scarlett Byrne, and Ellie Darcey-Alden, all actors from the Harry Potter film franchise, as well as a full literary track that includes New York Times bestselling authors Maureen Johnson, Lev Grossman, Robin Wasserman, and more.

LeakyCon features a wide array of formal and informal programming for attendees, including exclusive special events, a literary track, speaker panels, roundtables, rock concerts, a quidditch tournament, costume contests, podcasts, vendor room, craft show, and a charity ball.

LeakyCon has raised more than $200,000 for various causes in its short history. In 2013, LeakyCon also announced the first LeakyCon Academic Scholarship and Arts Fellowship to help the fan community in the pursuit of education and creation of works of art.

LeakyCon 2013 is June 27 through 30, 2013, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR.

Pictured: Kazu Kibuishi cover for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.



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