Just the mention of her name, J.K. Rowling, had the audience screaming and on its feet.

The Harry Potter author spoke before a capacity crowd at Manhattan’s Lincoln Centre in her sole US public appearance to promote her first novel for grown-ups, The Casual Vacancy.

Dressed in a dark skirt and dark sweater blouse, Rowling chatted with fellow author Ann Patchett, read briefly from her new book and also responded to preselected questions from fans.

Rowling spoke before some 2,500 people, mostly women, gathered under the high, golden ceiling of the David H. Koch Auditorium.

The conversation was for adults – Rowling even used the S-word – but she is returning to children’s stories.

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