Supreme storyteller J.K. Rowling is venturing into new territory, inking a deal to write her first novel for adults.

Rowling, best-selling author of the seven-book Harry Potter series, is moving to publishing house Little, Brown and Company for her first adult book release. 

While the book's title, publication date and plot will be revealed later this year, Rowling issued a statement about her leap in a new direction:

"The freedom to explore new territory is a gift that Harry's success has brought me, and with that new territory it seemed a logical progression to have a new publisher. I am delighted to have a second publishing home in Little, Brown, and a publishing team that will be a great partner in this new phase of my writing life."

The book will be published simultaneously in the U.K. and the U.S.

The Harry Potter series, published by Bloomsbury in the U.K. and Scholastic in the U.S., has sold 450 million books worldwide and has been turned into eight blockbuster movies. 

Tags: JK Rowling