Rowling's attitude towards publishers seems to be that she'll use them as long as they are useful. Her gratitude quota was probably exhausted when she dealed them in for a slice of Pottermore.
As for her new book being different, well, there is a long tradition of writers and artists strongly identified with one character/genre trying to break away from that identification. She pretty clearly would rather be remembered as a *writer* than just as the creator of HARRY POTTER.
Judging by the description of the new book, she may actually have something specific to say (Beyond: "I can write! And not just Harry...").
Quote:
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"What lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils." The story follows the battle for the empty seat on the parish council "in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations".
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The question I see here is how this new story will travel.
HARRY POTTER is very british in tone and culture but its appeal is pretty much universal.
Delving into contemporary british social commentary might conceivably be enthralling. For Britons and (some) Canadians.
The rest of us?
Even Jane Austen took a while to build her rep. (Like, centuries.
)
A good test of her writing skills.
Now, the thing is going to launch big; even 500 blank pages with her name on it would sell. But the measure of this book is going to be in how long is sells well and where it sells well.