J.K. Rowling’s novel The Ickabog first appeared online for free in 2020.
Rowling published the story chapter by chapter on a dedicated website beginning in May 2020. She had written the manuscript earlier, while working on Harry Potter, but kept it private for years before sharing it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ickabog is a children’s fairy tale set in the fictional kingdom of Cornucopia. Its plot involves a feared creature called the Ickabog, political manipulation, and the consequences of allowing rumors and authoritarian power to shape public life. Rowling invited children to submit illustrations for a later print edition.
The complete print book was published in November 2020. Proceeds from the author’s royalties were directed toward charitable causes connected with the pandemic. The work is separate from the Harry Potter universe and is not a story about Hogwarts or wizarding magic.