Rowling goes online

FORGET owls. JK Rowling will be finding a much better way of getting in touch with her fans on March 4.

The Harry Potter creator is one of a host of authors who will be taking to the world-wide-web for an online chat to mark World Book Day.

In an hour-long online chat session, the best-selling author will talk to children about her books, her writing and the kind of books she likes to read. She will also be answering 12 questions from the winners of a World Book Day Online Festival competition that was open to schools throughout the UK.

Rowling will kick off a fantastic line-up of authors who will be featured during this year's online festival, part of World Book Day.

Other children's authors such as Jaqueline Wilson, Debi Gliori, Jamila Gavin and Anthony Horowitz will also be giving interviews and readings or taking part in chat sessions throughout the day, alongside popular adult authors such as Nick Hornby, Tony Hawks and Minette Walters.

Book lovers will also be able to chat online with other readers, discussing the books they love most and getting new ideas for great reads.

Libraries in York and North Yorkshire plan to make the most of the day, by encouraging readers young and old to come in and talk to their favourite author free online on their high-speed broadband terminals.

They will be putting on special displays of books by the online authors, and many are also inviting schools in, and preparing activities for children designed around the online festival.

Alison Jones, senior librarian in charge of community initiatives at York central library, where you will be able to book a computer for up to two hours, says the online festival is an ideal chance to catch up with your favourite authors.

"It is a fabulous line-up of authors," she says, "and this really is a different and perhaps more exciting way of connecting with them."

Caroline Johnson of Harrogate library, where no fewer than 26 computer terminals will be available, is equally enthusiastic. "It's a great way of using the internet as a tool to encourage children to read," she says.

"Some people are very anti the internet and think it stops children reading, but if we can use it to help them communicate with their favourite authors, it makes it more relevant."

You can take part in the World Book Day Online Festival from 10am to 7pm tomorrow by logging on to www.worldbookdayfestival.com. If you miss the live chat with an author, all material will be archived and can be accessed at leisure.

To find out exactly what is happening in your area, contact your local library or, if you live outside York, log on to www.northyorks.gov.uk/libraries.

World Book day online schedule:

10am to 11am: JK Rowling chats online about her books, her writing and the kind of books she likes to read.

10am to 10.05am: Kes Gray and Nick Sharratt bring their Daisy books to life in a double-act from the Sunshine Library in Wakefield.

10am to 10.05am: Crime writer Minette Walters talks from her own home (and her own library!) about the books that have inspired and influenced her.

1pm to 1.05pm: Sarah Waters shows how she brings history to life in her novels.

1pm to 1.05pm: Debi Gliori takes fans on a Teddy Bear's Picnic. Watch out for her brand new character, Vesper the Bat!

1pm to 2pm: Jamila Gavin chats online about her books, life and travels.

4pm to 4.05pm: Jacqueline Wilson replies to hundreds of fan letters every week. See why in this extraordinary film.

4pm to 4.05pm: Benjamin Zephaniah in performance at Westminster Hall, then talking about his life as a poet and novelist.

4pm to 5pm: Jackie Kay chats online about her transition from poet to novelist and about her own reading loves.

6pm to 6.05pm: Nick Hornby takes a wry look at book/film adaptations.

6pm to 6.05pm: Anthony Horowitz talks from the London Aquarium about his Alex Rider books, and his general fascination with spies and sharks.

6pm to 7pm: Live web chat with Tony Hawks about what makes him do such silly things.

Updated: 08:35 Wednesday, March 03, 2004