J.K. Rowling stirs the pot with ‘transphobic’ plot of new book

The Harry Potter author has come under fire again, accused of making a not-so-subtle dig at her critics with the plot of her latest detective book.

J.K. Rowling has made a not-so-subtle dig at her detractors with the release of her latest detective novel, in which the victim is murdered after creating a “transphobic” cartoon.

The author, best known for penning the Harry Potter series, has come under fire several times over the last few years, accused of making transphobic comments.

Now she has used the experience in her latest novel The Ink Black Heart – and critics aren’t impressed.

J.K. Rowling announced the release of her new book, under a pseudonym. Picture: Twitter

In the story, Edie Ledwell is a popular YouTuber and cartoonist. But when her cartoon character of a “hermaphrodite worm” is categorised as racist, ableist and transphobic by the “Social Justice Warriors”, Ledwell experiences doxxing and threats before being found dead in a cemetery.

The book was released under Rowling’s pseudonym, Robert Galbraith. It is the name of a 1970s psychiatrist, Robert Galbraith Heath, known for being the father of modern conversion therapy after claiming he cured a man of homosexuality using electrotherapy.

Like her character, Rowling experienced both doxxing and death threats after being accused of transphobia.

J.K. Rowling claims the themes in Ink Black Heart are not autobiographical. Picture: Debra Hurford Brown © J.K. Rowling

Despite the obvious connection, Rowling claimed the story wasn’t autobiographical during an interview on The Graham Norton Show.

“I should make it really clear after some of the things that have happened the last year that this is not depicting [that],” she said.

Critics aren’t buying it

Rowling’s critics, however, were having none of it, taking to Twitter to drag her attempt at subtly playing the victim.

“J.K. Rowling got death threats!” wrote one person. “So has every single trans woman on here. Next.”

“J.K. Rowling writing a book about how she gets targeted by people who don’t tolerate her bigotry under the pen name she borrowed from the man who invented anti-LGBTQ conversion therapy, really should put it into perspective for anybody who continues to support her work,” said another.

‘We should all just call J.K. Rowling Umbridge from now on.’ Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP

“Rowling releasing a transphobic book under her transphobic pseudonym about being bullied online for being transphobic is beyond parody. You’re a multi-millionaire, log off,” wrote a third.

“J.K. Rowling is a privileged mega-rich white woman who has used her power to worsen hate at one of the world’s most stigmatised minorities,” said another. “She is no victim. #ICantStandJKRowling.”

“We should all just call J.K. Rowling ‘Umbridge’ from now on; it’ll drive her insane,” wrote one, referencing Harry Potter villain Dolores Umbridge.