JK Rowling Accepts Charitable Donation After Pseudonym Leak

By Noelle ·

BBC News is reporting that JK Rowling has accepted a charitable donation from the law firm that blew her cover and leaked she was the identity behind the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

In case you need a brush up:
The writer brought a legal action against Chris Gossage, a partner at Russells Solicitors, and his friend, Judith Callegari.
The author had published the book under the pen name Robert Galbraith.

Rowling's solicitor told Mr Justice Tugendhat that Russells had contacted the writer's agent after the story was published, revealing it was Mr Gossage who had divulged the confidential information to Ms Callegari.

Ms Callegari then revealed the information in the course of a Twitter exchange with a journalist.

The court heard Rowling had been "left dismayed and distressed by such a fundamental betrayal of trust".

Mr Gossage, Ms Callegari and Russells all apologised and the firm agreed to pay the author's legal costs.

It also agreed to make a payment, by way of damages, to the Soldiers' Charity, formerly known as the Army Benevolent Fund.
Jo has previously stated that she would be donating all of the royalties from The Cuckoo's Calling to the charity but did not anticipate the book selling so well.
Rowling explained that she was donating the money "partly as a thank you to the army people" who helped her with research.

"But also because writing a hero who is a veteran has given me an even greater appreciation and understanding of exactly how much this charity does for ex-servicemen and their families, and how much that support is needed," she said.

She said she had "always intended to give The Soldiers' Charity a donation out of Robert's royalties but I had not anticipated him making the bestseller list a mere three months after publication (indeed, I had not counted on him ever being there!)"

Major General Martin Rutledge, Chief Executive of ABF The Soldiers' Charity said they were "absolutely thrilled" by her "extraordinary generosity".

"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," he added.
It's a shame her cover was blown but I'm glad that charity is getting such a substantial donation. Has anyone here read the book? I read The Casual Vacancy and hated her and hate myself for spending so much money on it. So, now I'm hesitant until my library gets it in.

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