Potter author denies 'writer's block'

JK Rowling says no targets were set

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has dismissed claims that she has "writer's block".

Rowling said she was "writing happily away" on the fifth eagerly awaited Harry Potter book.

The writer did not publish a new title in the hit children's series this year.

The previous four books were produced once a year since 1997.

Rowling said she had always said she did not want to rattle out her seven projected Potter books quickly.

Rowling was spurred into speaking out after The Scotsman newspaper said she was suffering from a lack of inspiration.

Goblet of Fire topped the best-seller lists

But in a letter to the paper, Rowling said: "As I, my publishers and my agent have stated since the publication of Goblet Of Fire in July 2000, there was never any intention of publishing the fifth Harry Potter book in 2001.

"Nor has any deadline ever been set for the delivery of the manuscript.

"I made it clear last summer that I wanted to take the time to make sure that book five was not dashed off to meet a deadline.

"There is no writer's block - on the contrary, I am writing away very happily."

Hollywood

Her commissioning editor at publisher Bloomsbury, Emma Matthewson agreed.

"No deadline has ever been agreed or broken in respect of the next Harry Potter, which always has been, and remains, unscheduled," she said.

Earlier this year, Rowling published two special Harry Potter books in aid of Comic Relief.

Stars of the Harry Potter movie

Rowling's best-selling Harry Potter books have been praised for encouraging a new generation of children to discover the joys of reading.

The books have been translated into 28 languages and are sold in 30 countries around the world.

The first book in the series - Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone - is currently being made into a Hollywood blockbuster.

Sales of the book series have topped 100 million, making the Edinburgh-based single mother - whose first name is Joanne - a multi-millionaire.

The Sunday Times Rich List estimated Rowling has amassed a £65m fortune.