Mystery Author Tells JK Rowling to Hang Up Her Pen

In a blog in the Huffington Post, Lynn Shepherd wrote, "If JK Rowling Cares About Writing, She Should Stop Doing It". Shepherd said that Rowling's first adult novel The Casual Vacancy "sucked the oxygen from the entire publishing and reading atmosphere". Shepherd also said that "Rowling has no need of either the shelf space or the column inches, but other writers desperately do." She goes on, "By all means keep writing for kids, or for your personal pleasure - I would never deny anyone that - but when it comes to the adult market you've had your turn." And says, "Enjoy your vast fortune and the good you're doing with it, luxuriate in the love of your legions of fans, and good luck to you on both counts. But it's time to give other writers, and other writing, room to breathe."

According to the Guardian, Shepherd apologized, saying she "only ever meant to raise the issue of how hard it is for new writers to get noticed and how publishing is much more of a zero sum game than people often think. Many writers face the same challenges and frustrations when they're just starting out, and JK Rowling did herself. She's been a phenomenal success since then and has millions of fans who are passionate about her books. That's an amazing achievement. With hindsight I'd have written my piece an entirely different way, as I never intended it to upset anyone, and I'm very sorry that it did."

Read the full article in the Guardian here.