J.K. Rowling launched a book tour in the United States with a mass signing.

OCTOBER 15, 2007

- LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Even though Harry Potter may have swept his wand and cast a spell, author J.K. Rowling sat down on Monday and cheerfully signed 1,600 books for schoolchildren as she began her first U.S. book tour in seven years.

“This is an amazing treat for me”, Rowling said of the mass book signing and reading in front of adoring Harry Potter fans in Los Angeles.

“I really miss being able to interact directly with the readers. Everyone keeps saying, ‘it must be so onerous. Doesn’t it hurt your hand?’ But, honestly, that’s the bit I really enjoy”, Rowling told reporters.

The 42-year-old British author said that after 10 years of writing to a deadline, she now felt as if she was on vacation and has not yet started writing the promised Harry Potter encyclopedia that fans around the world are awaiting.

She gave no clues as to her next project, but told an audience of 1,600 children that Harry Potter would be a hard act to follow.