Which J.K. Rowling novel was published under her real name but was not part of the Harry Potter series?

The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s non-Harry-Potter novel published under her real name.

Published in 2012, The Casual Vacancy is an adult social novel set in the fictional English town of Pagford. Its story begins after the death of Barry Fairbrother, whose vacant seat on the local parish council triggers political and personal conflict among residents.

The book marked Rowling’s first novel after the seven-book Harry Potter series. It does not take place in the wizarding world and contains no Hogwarts, magical creatures, or spells. Instead, it examines class, local politics, family tensions, and social divisions in a contemporary community.

The novel is often contrasted with Rowling’s crime fiction, which she published under the name Robert Galbraith. The Casual Vacancy used “J.K. Rowling” on its cover, making it a separate post-Potter project rather than an installment or companion book.